Search for missing man continues near Marykirk
A major search operation is under way for a man who was reported to be trapped in a vehicle in floodwater near the village of Marykirk in Aberdeenshire. The incident happened around 3am on Friday morning, when a red warning for heavy rain and flooding was in place for the area.
The Coastguard helicopter and coastal rescue teams are involved in the multi-agency hunt, along with police, fire and ambulance services. Police have asked the public to avoid the area due to safety concerns as the search continues.
Woman dies after being swept into river in Angus
The search for the missing man comes after a 57-year-old woman died after being swept into the River Isla in Angus on Thursday afternoon. She was rescued by firefighters and taken to hospital, but later pronounced dead.
More than 400 homes in Brechin, Edzell and Montrose were asked to evacuate as the river levels rose rapidly due to torrential rain. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said it had received more than 1,000 calls for assistance across the country since Wednesday.
Rare red warning issued for extreme weather
The Met Office issued a rare red warning for parts of Scotland on Thursday, indicating a serious risk to life from heavy rain and flooding. The warning covered parts of Angus, Dundee, Perth and Kinross, and Aberdeenshire, and was valid until 11am on Friday.
The Met Office said that some areas could see up to 120mm of rain in 24 hours, which is more than the average rainfall for October. It also warned of possible landslides, power cuts, and disruption to transport and communication networks.
Scotland’s First Minister urges caution and vigilance
Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said that the extreme weather was “very serious” and urged people to follow the advice of the emergency services. She said that the Scottish Government was monitoring the situation closely and providing support where needed.
She also thanked the emergency workers and volunteers who were working hard to help those affected by the flooding. She said that the worst of the rain had passed, but warned that the risk of flooding remained high in some areas.
What will happen next?
The search for the missing man near Marykirk is expected to resume on Saturday morning, as the weather conditions improve. However, the authorities have warned that the chances of finding him alive are slim.
Meanwhile, many residents who were evacuated from their homes are waiting to return and assess the damage caused by the flooding. Some roads and bridges remain closed due to safety reasons, and some schools and businesses are also affected.
The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for rain for parts of Scotland until Saturday evening, but said that the rainfall will be much lighter than before. It has also advised people to stay away from swollen rivers and floodwater, and to check for flood warnings in their area.
