Autumn Newsletter

Welcome to our latest newsletter

For many reading this edition the recent news of flooding in Monmouth will have struck a chord, the scenes on our TV screens a reminder of past events. In all the coverage phrases such as 'community spirit' and 'we were better prepared this time' came through as people came together to respond to the floods and begin the early steps towards recovery. Our Flood Action Group feature this quarter is a great example of how folk have

come together to develop new ways to support their communities to prepare for  future flood events.  The team also share some tips for winter preparedness. Flo our Flood Bus has been with us now for almost a year and is a great tool to help start those community conversations around insurance, household resilience and community group start up so please do let us know if we can support you with a visit from Flo and the Team. 

 

Best wishes

Carol, Shona, Derek, Doug, Kasha and Caz. 

Community News

Cambuskenneth Resilience Event

Cambuskenneth near Stirling is located in a loop of the River Forth with a single access road. The community of about 250 has both elderly and very young residents. FLO attended the resilience event in the village on 12 October, alongside Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Police Scotland.   

At the event, the FLO team provided advice on how to avoid flooding hazards and protect homes, and at the request of several residents will hopefully return in the spring to look at the appropriate protections on a few houses.  

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service were on hand to discuss the prevention of battery fires (don't leave devices charging overnight) and on how they undertake river rescues; Police Scotland provided free mugs and keyring bells along with advice on road safety, a couple of residents that are medical professionals showed how to give CPR and use the defibrillator.  

And of course coffee, cakes and a good chat were enjoyed by all that attended. It is hoped it will become an annual event.   

 

By Leighanne Moir

Callander Flood Group

Callander is situated on the edge of a flood plain, where Garbh Uisge & Eas Gobhain converge into the River Teith. Four major lochs upstream slow the flow of water down the catchment, and the peak of a flood can potentially be reduced, but the related stress is spread out over several days. The River Teith, in Callander, can take many hours (even days) to peak, and the same again to return to river levels before the flood.

 

Callander therefore is no stranger to regular floods and occasional larger floods. This century we have seen larger floods more often.

 

Callander Flood Group, is aware however, that just the threat of possible river flooding several times each year, causes anxiety and stress. We watch the weather forecast, check water levels and listen to the falling rain on our velux window. We wonder is this the ‘big’ flood or another close call. We are presently engaging with the local authority on a possible flood protection scheme. Additionally, Callander Flood Group try to ensure that members, are mutually supported and have good information supplied at appropriate times, from which they can make informed decisions. 

                  

We have had the Scottish Flood Forum Flood Bus, ‘FLO’,  twice to Callander, we place articles in the local community newsletter, and send out our Flood Status Report, when a flood is imminent.

     

Our Flood Status Report has been developed over several years, with the main aim of having important information together, in a single document sent out timeously, to give time to individuals to make decisions about their own property and to give reassurance. The report is prepared when a larger than normal flood, is predicted and updated on a regular basis until the river flood has peaked and is falling.     

    

We also include precautionary guidance.

 

Details below will give an idea as to where flood water has reached at each level. All floods are different. These are an indication and should be treated with caution.

 

These are our comments from what is seen from various websites and our experience in Callander over past 30 years. We are not qualified to make judgements or forecast. Please treat these comments with caution.

 

The report is then sent out to all who are on the Whats App Group. We find that individuals see this quicker and respond, almost immediately, with comments (guess that they too are watching the river). We send a few by email, who do not use Whats App.  

Individuals mainly use the report to analyse current information to decide if they have to begin taking action to protect their property. Mostly it gives reassurance that the current flood is not going to impact on their property, but that they need to remain vigilant until the flood has passed.

 

Feedback over the last few years has been very positive – very useful, as always – thank goodness we have (the report) to keep us worry free – I’m now feeling more relaxed – as always very much appreciated – this helps to reduce my stress.

 

If you would like to see a copy of one of our Flood Status Report please contact Ian McCourt on callanderfloodgroup@gmail.com

 

By Ian McCourt

Auchtermuchty and Strathmiglo Resilience Group  

Flooding in Auchtermuchty and Strathmiglo in Fife has prompted the local community council to form a resilience sub-group to examine ways to prevent or ameliorate repetition of such events. 

 

The Auchtermuchty Burn which flows through Auchtermuchty is formed about a mile north of the town by the confluence of the Glassarts and Pitcairlie Burns.   

As the storm progressed the burn rose to a high level prompting concern but not immediate alarm among residents. Then very suddenly the burn rose again, overflowing its containing walls and flooding nearby homes in Upper Greens.  

 

These homes were hit by a double whammy as the burn flooded houses from the front while water also poured down off the fields behind them. 

 

Half an hour later the burn subsided but in that short time the damage had been done and homes wrecked.   

A few weeks later on Boxing Day 2023 a similar event occurred in Strathmiglo when the River Eden rose at an unprecedentedly fast rate and homes were flooded.   

The resilience group formed by the community council comprises concerned householders, some landowners and community Councillors. 

 

The group examined reasons for the flooding and explored means of preventing any repetition.  

 

There were many factors to be considered such as blocked or collapsed drains, agricultural practices, etc. but the one salient factor remarked by many people in both events was the speed with which the burn or the river had risen and then subsided.  

 

This prompted the resilience group to look at the possibility of leaky barriers upstream of both settlements to hold back a quantity of water during exceptional rainfall thus “flattening out” the high water peak experienced over a short duration. One of the community councillors is a civil engineer who previously worked for Scottish Water and he calculated that holding back 2500 cubic metres of water for an hour would have prevented the flooding in Auchtermuchty. Imagine an area of land 50 metres by 50 metres with water 1 metre deep – that is all that would have been required. 

  

The Glassarts Burn flows though a wide steep-sided valley full of scrub and bracken and seems to be an ideal location for a series of leaky barriers. It is owned by the MacDuff Trust, a local charitable trust, whose trustees were equally enthusiastic about a leaky dam project. In fact they have also suggested another site they own, through which the Pitcairlie Burn flows.

 

Discussions with Scottish Flood Forum and experts from other agencies suggest that willow or small log barriers or a combination of both would be suitable in these locations.

 

So far all is in the planning stage with advice sought on planning requirements, environmental concerns and legal and liability issues but we hope to make a practical start in spring with the commencement of the willow planting season.

 

The next project will be to look at the River Eden which will present a greater challenge with multiple different landowners and less suitable topography.  

 

By Andy Heer

The SFF news

Update on Flo, the SFF Flood Bus 

                

It’s been a busy and varied time since our last update with FLO attending eleven events.     

FLO went overseas and was in Orkney for a three day adventure, attending the Dounby County Show, Orkney County Show and Kirkwall Town Centre.     

Kirkwall Cathedral

Aberdeen

Cambuskenneth

Many thanks to everyone who helped make these visits happen and hopefully we will see you all soon.

     

If you have any up-and-coming events that would benefit from FLO attending, then please get in touch by sending an email either to Derek@scottishfloodforum.org or to info@scottishfloodforum.org.

 

By Derek Sloan

  Be Flood-Ready This Winter  

 

The UK is experiencing increasingly frequent and intense rainfall, raising the risk of flooding in many areas. Taking action now can help reduce negative impact to your home, your belongings, and your peace of mind. When heavy rain hits, every second matters—having your household flood plan and flood protection products ready and knowing how to use them ensures you can respond quickly and effectively.  

                  

Storage and Maintenance

  

Flood protection products only work if they are properly stored, maintained, and ready for use. Incorrect storage or disuse can lead to failure when you need them most. Consult your installer or supplier for expert advice and always follow manufacturer guidelines.

  

Regular testing is critical. Schedule practice installations so you can deploy products quickly and confidently during an emergency. This preparation could make the difference between reducing impact and costly damage.

🏠 Household Flood Action Plan

 

A clear plan ensures everyone knows what to do when flooding is imminent. Include the following steps:

 

🌧️ Know Your Risk

 

Check local flood warnings and sign up for alerts Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).

 

👥 Assign Roles

 

Decide who will fit flood protection products, move valuables, and check utilities.

 

🎒 Prepare Essentials

 

Keep a grab bag with important documents, medications, phone chargers, and emergency contacts.

 

🛣️ Plan Evacuation Routes

 

Identify safe routes and meeting points if you need to leave your home.

 

📦 Protect Valuables

 

Move electronics, furniture, and sentimental items to higher ground.

 

📢 Communicate

 

Share your plan with all household members and practice it annually.

  

📋 Your Flood-Ready Checklist

 

📝 Plan

 ✔️ Make sure your Household Flood Action Plan is up to date.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Review and practice with everyone involved.

 

📦 Storage

 🧑‍🔧 Seek professional guidance on the best storage methods.

📘 Follow manufacturer instructions precisely.

📍 Keep all components clean, dry, and easily accessible in an emergency.

 

 🔧 Maintenance

 👀 Inspect products regularly for signs of wear or damage.

🧪 Test functionality before the rainy season begins.  

🧼 Clean and dry items thoroughly after each use before storing them again.

 

🏃 Practice and Preparation

 ⏱️ Conduct short practice drills to install products quickly and correctly.

👥 Ensure every household member knows the installation process. 

♻️ Review your setup annually (or after an event) to maintain confidence and readiness.

 

 

                  

Act now—don’t wait for the next storm. A few simple steps today can save you time, stress, and expense tomorrow.

     

  

Further advice on preparing for flooding can be found on the Scottish Flood Forum website at https://scottishfloodforum.org/resources/preparing-for-flooding/

 

By Doug MacPhee

SEPA Consultation on Potentially Vulnerable Areas  - results

Earlier last year, SEPA invited people across Scotland to share their views on proposed updates to Potentially Vulnerable Areas (PVAs)—the places most at risk of flooding. The consultation ran from 25 March to 24 June 2024, giving community groups, residents, and local organisations a chance to highlight local knowledge that might not appear in national datasets. 

In December 2024, SEPA released its Consultation Summary Report, which brings together the feedback from communities and explains how it will be used to shape future flood-risk plans. Many responses emphasised the value of local insight—such as areas that flood regularly, impacts on community facilities, or concerns about vulnerable neighbours.

 

These updated PVAs will help guide future decisions about funding, emergency planning, and resilience measures. Community input ensures that the voices of those most affected are heard, and that future actions reflect real, on-the-ground experience.  

 

By Kasha Jarosz

© SEPA, licensed under Open Government Licence v3.0.   

 

You received this email because you subscribed to our list. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Caledonian Exchange, 19A Canning Street
Edinburgh
EH3 8HE
United Kingdom