Travel warning and school closures as severe rain continues

Angus Council is warning against unnecessary travel as severe weather continues to affect the county.

Many rural schools and all those in Forfar, Kirriemuir, Montrose and Brechin are closed today (Friday) to localised flooding while all school transport was also cancelled for the day.

So far all JP Minicoaches services are cancelled due to flooding: S118 Forfar - Noranside, S125 Forfar - Glamis - Newtyle, S128 Kirriemuir - Alyth, all JP Arbroath town services - 36, 46, 50 and the S117 Forfar town service. The Stagecoach S34 to Brechin has been delayed and may not run.

The Met Office’s Amber Warning for heavy rain remains is currently place, extending to 3pm today, with 100mm of rain expected locally and as much as 150mm or mover over higher ground.

An Angus Council spokesperson said that the heavy rain and strong winds experienced yestereday and today have had “a significant impact” across Angus and the wider North east area.

They said: “Please only travel if your journey is absolutely essential.

“As indicated by the Met Office Amber warning, heavy rain has led to extensive flooding, including the roads network, with a number of schools closures due to floodwater. Children who had arrived at schools that subsequently closed due to the weather are being looked after by staff until they can be collected.

“Our website carries further details of school closures.

“Any weather-related updates as they affect Angus will be posted on our Weather Watch page and on our Twitter and Facebook pages.

“Angus Council staff, supported by volunteers, are assessing and responding to emergency calls. We are currently dealing with a very large number of calls and prioritising those where there may be a risk to life. People should only contact us in an emergency.”

Further details concerning flooding can be found via SEPA’s floodline while the latest information on trunk roads is being posted to the Traffic Scotland website or its Twitter page, @TrafficScotland, which is updated regularly.

The council is also urging resident to check on older or less mobile relatives, friends or neighbours to ensure their welfare.