Storms and Flooding across Aberdeenshire December 2012

Stephen Archer, Director of Infrastructure ServicesWilliam Munro, Area Manager (Kincardine & Mearns)

Flood protection since 2009

• Information gathering (Sept 2009 – 2010)• Emergency works undertaken (Nov 2009 – 2010)• Capacity study commissioned (2010)• Interlocking barriers purchased (2010)• Continued engagement with communities (ongoing

since 2009)

Flood protection since 2009

• Flood gates and flood vents made available at reduced cost (Ongoing since 2010)

• Improved emergency flood plans to deal with flooding across Aberdeenshire developed (2010 – 2011)

• Removed log weir (Oct 2011)• Bervie Braes – cost £3m (commenced Mar

2012 and completed Nov 2012)

Flood protection since 2009

• Availability of sandbags (since 2010)• Improved monitoring of river levels including the

installation of river level gauges (2011)• Helped develop the flood warden scheme

(ongoing since 2011)• Outcome of study identified 6 options (Jan 2012)

Next Steps

• JBA Flooding Specialist commission extended to include latest flood paths

• Flood mechanism was different to the previous flooding in 2009

• JBA Flooding commission extended to recommend a final choice scheme

• Take forward Arbuthnott drain proposals

Next Steps

• Confirm Preferred Scheme (June 2013)• Outline Scheme Design (March 2014)• Controlled Activities Licence (July 2014)• Council Approves Detailed Scheme

Preparation (July 2014)• Council Approves Detailed Scheme

(December 2014)• Tender Phase (Feb 2015)• Land Negotiations (Feb 2015)

Promotion of a Flood Prevention Scheme (1 of 2)

Council decision on preferred

scheme

Consultation Detailed

investigation

Outline Design Consultation Confirmed by

Council

Scheme preparation

(Detailed Design)

Council Approvals Process (4 weeks)

Advertise & notify

Promotion of a Flood Prevention Scheme (2 of 2) Objection period

(28 days)

Objections?

Yes – can objections be resolved? (8

weeks)

Reject scheme

Yes with modifications

Scheme confirmed

Notify Scottish Ministers (6

weeks)

Confirm scheme Notify Scottish Ministers (4-8

weeks)

Confirm scheme with modifications

Preliminary decision by

Council

Notify Scottish Ministers (4-8

weeks)

Public Local inquiry

Decision by Scottish Ministers

Council to write to Scottish Ministers to request

deemed planning consent granted

Final notification – advertise in local news

No

No

Yes without modifications

Notify Scottish Ministers (4-8

weeks)

Confirm scheme without

modifications

Our response to the coastal storm 14/15 Dec 2012

• Flood Guidance Statement• Extreme simultaneous combination of tide, onshore

wind and low pressure• Sandbags deployed, transport arranged, rest centre

opened and support provided by H&SW• Evacuees taken to St Bridget’s Hall• Road crews assessed damage early morning• Information & support provided• Recovery teams established• Clean up and restoration of shingle levels

Our response to the flooding

• How we respond in the lead up to a potential incident

• Aberdeenshire was widely affected by the weather on the 22nd/23rd December

• Council resources were put under huge demand to respond to the 33 incidents reported across Aberdeenshire

Our response in Stonehaven

• Friday 21st December – Precautionary measures put in place

• Flood barriers put in situ to be ready if needed• Stocks of sandbags made ready• Flood wardens alerted• Monitoring of the weather

• Saturday 22nd December

– Ongoing river monitoring continued in conjunction with SEPA

– Flood barriers were put in place– Sandbags delivered to pre-agreed locations– Flood wardens activated– The data from monitoring and at site showed

the river level as dropping

Carron River measured water levels at Green Bridge 23rd December 2012

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0.5

1

1.5

2

Date/Time

Wate

r L

evel (m

)

Measured 15 minute rainfall totals Stonehaven Harbour 23rd December 2012

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

Date/Time

Rai

nfa

ll (m

m)

• Sunday 23rd December

– River levels began rising very rapidly– Police had lead responsibility for the operation on

the ground– Rest centre at Mackie Academy– On-site clear up began as soon as waters receded– The clean up and ongoing response to all

incidents continues across Aberdeenshire– Flood Relief Group