Evacuated Lossie households safe to return home

SIX households in Lossiemouth which were evacuated last night due to flooding concerns have been told it’s safe to return home.

A multi-agency response, including Moray Council, Police Scotland, HM Coastguard, the Scottish Fire & Rescue service and volunteers from the Red Cross were on all hand last night to deal with potential flooding, after SEPA issued a flood warning due to the high tide and predicted large waves.

Moray Council’s senior engineers and flood manager were in constant contact with SEPA yesterday, studying flooding forecasts to prepare for any potential incident. Seventeen pallets of sandbags were deployed throughout the evening from 4pm to Shore Street, Seatown and Clifton Road, and Moray Council’s senior housing officers knocked on doors of residents and businesses thought to be most at risk, at Marina Quay and Shore Street, to advise them of potential flooding.

Roads leading to Shore Street were closed by Moray Council, under the instruction of Police Scotland, and the Coastguard carried out patrols in the harbour area.

Vivienne Cross, Moray Council’s duty Emergency Response Co-ordinator, praised the efforts of all agencies involved, and the understanding and support of the local community, including the Community Council.

“Last night, and into the early hours of this morning, many public sector agencies pulled together to respond the needs of the incident.

“Through the early identification of the flooding risk, and getting council officers on the ground quickly to advise residents and businesses, there was reassurance that everything was in hand. The deployment of sandbags was speedy and efficient, and we were thanked by householders and businesses for responding so quickly.

“Thanks to all of our partner agencies, who worked through the night to monitor the weather when the conditions were predicted to be at their worst. Residents should be aware that SEPA’s flood warning remains in place until mid-afternoon.”

Chair of Lossiemouth Community Council, Mike Mulholland, said: “Moray Council’s performance was excellent. They had a visible presence throughout the night, which was encouraging for the community, who were reassured to see people on the ground.

“The police, coastguard and all agencies worked together, it was really well handled.”