Scotland on high flood alert as Storm Babet set to bring deluge of rain

Strong winds and heavy rain is expected, with many rail services suspended

Flooded fields in Powys, Wales, after Storm Babet battered the UK, causing widespread flooding and high winds. PA

A man crosses a flood-damaged road in Faithlegg, Co. Waterford, Ireland. PA

Lynsey France and David Pickering inspect flood damage in their home in Catcliffe near Rotherham, South Yorkshire, northern England. PA

Water damaged cars are seen as flood waters begin to recede in the South Yorkshire village of Catcliffe. Getty Images

Residents walk through flood water in Retford in Nottinghamshire. PA

A rainbow over Ladybower Reservoir as water rushes down one of its 'plug holes' after heavy rain in Castleton, Derbyshire. Reuters

Flooded fields around the River Lugg near Leominster in Herefordshire. PA

A car stranded on the remains of a washed away bridge near Dundee in Scotland. PA

South Shields lighthouse in South Tyneside after the dome was torn off by the stormy weather. AP

Boats sunk in the harbour in Rodvig, about 80km south of Copenhagen, after Storm Babet hit parts of Denmark. Reuters

A road ruined after storm Babet hit Vilstrup and Diernaes in Southern Jutland, Denmark. EPA

Flooded cars are abandoned in Derby. Getty

Ferries arrive and leave the Port of Dover in Kent. PA

Waves crash against Seaham lighthouse, in County Durham, north-east England. Reuters

Watching the floods in Brechin, Angus, north-east Scotland, as Storm Babet batters the country. PA

Waves crash over the promenade in Scarborough in North Yorkshire, England. AP

Members of a coastguard rescue team in Brechin. Storm Babet dumped 25cm of rain in some areas. PA

A van drives through sea foam in Seaburn, Sunderland, north-east England. PA

Waves crash over the harbour wall in Stonehaven, Kincardineshire, north-east Scotland. Reuters

Emergency services in Brechin ask residents to leave their homes after flood warnings. PA

Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar speaks with a woman cleaning up flood damage at a business in Midleton, Co Cork, in the Republic of Ireland. PA

A boat owner braves Storm Babet to secure vessels at Stonehaven harbour, in north-east Scotland. AFP

The clean-up gets under way on Main street in Midleton, Co Cork. PA

A tree blown over by Storm Babet in Brechin. PA

Waves crash over the harbour wall in Stonehaven. Getty

The aftermath of Storm Babet in Midleton, Co Cork. PA

Residents climb over a flood defence barrier in the village of Edzell, near Brechin, in Angus, north-east Scotland. PA

The UK's Met Office has issued an “exceptional red warning” ahead of Storm Babet, with severe rainfall and high winds forecast.

Parts of eastern Scotland, such as Brechin, Forfar and Kirriemuir, are set for a deluge of rain from 6pm on Thursday until noon on Friday.

Met Office chief meteorologist Jason Kelly said 100 to 150mm of rain could fall in certain regions, with isolated areas set for about 200 to 250mm of rain and heavy flooding expected.

“Confidence has increased in the chances of considerable impacts from rainfall in parts of the east of Scotland from Storm Babet, which has resulted in the escalation to the red warning,” he said.

The storm is forecast to bring strong easterly winds, with gusts expected to exceed 112kph in parts of eastern Scotland, with an amber wind warning in place for much of the country.

Other parts of Scotland are also bracing for heavy rainfall, with 70 to 250mm forecast.

A Met Office amber warning is also in place for eastern and central parts of the country, with rainfall of 70 to 100mm forecast. Some areas could face 150 to 200mm in 24 hours.

Network Rail Scotland announced route closures and disruption to its services ahead of the storm. Those in red weather warning areas have been urged not to travel.

Traffic Scotland also warned that “travel should be avoided unless absolutely essential”.

David Morgan, the flood duty manager for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, advised the public to be prepared for flooding, heavy rain and high winds.

Babet causes havoc in Ireland

Storm Babet has already hit parts of Ireland, causing severe flooding.

Areas such as Cork and its surrounding county were among the worst affected.

In Midleton, Cork, roads became impassable and the military was called to assist travellers.

The fire brigade in Skibbereen spent several hours pumping water out of flooded areas.

Despite their efforts, the water levels remain high, with areas experiencing a month’s worth of rain in 24 hours.