Storm Babet: Another red alert in a week due to ongoing and persistent flooding

The second red “danger to life” weather alert in a week has taken effect in eastern parts of Scotland, with torrential rain and high winds forecast across the UK.

Forecasters say another 70-100mm (4ins) of rain could fall on Saturday in parts of Angus and Aberdeenshire already hit by severe flooding.

Three people have died since Thursday, when Storm Babet first took hold.

Flood victims across the country remain in temporary accommodation.

•  Man dies after being swept away in flood water
• Airport shut after plane skids off runway in storm
•  The Brechin residents who have ‘lost everything’

The new red weather warning began at midnight and will run through Saturday.

Amber warnings for rain are in place for Saturday across the Highlands, north east and central parts of Scotland, as well as the north of England, East and West Midlands and parts of Yorkshire.

Storm Babet: The story so far

• Three people have died including a man in his 60s who was caught in fast-flowing flood water in the town of Cleobury Mortimer in Shropshire on Friday
• A 56-year-old man died after his van hit a tree near Forfar, and a 67-year-old woman was killed after being swept into the Water of Lee
• Dozens of people have taken shelter in emergency accommodation – many in Angus and Aberdeenshire as well as 50 in the rural village of Debenham, Suffolk
• In Scotland, roads and bridges collapsed and dozens of households had to be rescued in Angus, where flood defences had been overwhelmed in the early hours – river levels rose 4.4m (14ft) higher than normal and continued to increase through Friday
• Across England, there were more than 280 flood warnings and 240 alerts on Friday evening
• Almost 13,000 households were without power late on Friday night – 10,000 across England and 2,800 in Scotland
• Police forces have advised against travel in the red alert area and to avoid it in areas covered by amber warnings
• Earlier on Friday Leeds Bradford Airport shut after a plane skid off the runway in the storm. Bosses hope to open the airport at 10:00 on Saturday

Angus Council – the area hit by the first red alert on Thursday – said it was prepared to call on the military for assistance if the situation in the region worsened significantly.

A 200-year-old bridge on the Rottal Estate in the area was washed away by torrential flood water, while a road connecting Marykirk, Angus, where some houses were evacuated, also collapsed.

Police urged people not to travel in the red zone, and said drivers throughout Scotland should show caution.

Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Houston said: “We’re going to see significant amounts of rainfall across all parts of the country.

“I think all drivers should be mindful about making journeys at this time. Plan ahead.”

Searches are continuing for a driver who was reported to be trapped in a vehicle near Marykirk in Aberdeenshire in the early hours of Friday.

Brechin in Angus was one of the worst hit areas as water levels in the River South Esk rose by 4.4m (14ft).

The council had urged people living in about 400 homes in the town and surrounding areas to evacuate their properties, but many stayed put and about 60 households were later rescued.

More than 70 people were being looked after a rest centres in Brechin, Montrose and Forfar on Friday, with locals donating dry clothing, food and toiletries.