Raigmore Hospital emergency department waiting room closed after heavy rain, says NHS Highland; landslides close two Ness-side roads; Sepa said as much rain fell in Inverness in two to three hours as in whole of August 2018; ScotRail services on Highland Mainline disrupted by flooding at Carrbridge; yellow Met Office weather warning in force
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RAIGMORE Hospital's emergency department waiting room has been closed temporarily after heavy overnight rainfall caused "localised flooding", NHS Highland has announced.
It made the statement via Twitter just minutes ago, but stressed that "the department remains fully operational but anyone attending is asked to follow signage to the temporary waiting room".
The hospital’s estates department and a contractor are "working to rectify the problem as soon as possible".
Jane Buckley, divisional general manager for the medical division at Raigmore Hospital, added: “The heavy rainfall overnight has had an impact on the waiting area in our Emergency Department. We have put in temporary measures to ensure the department remains fully operational. We would like to apologise for any inconvenience that this may cause.”
Its statement comes after torrential rain brought localised flooding to parts of the Highlands last night.
As much rain fell in the Inshes area of Inverness in two to three hours as there was in the whole of August 2018, according to Scottish Environment Protection Agency figures.
The rain also caused landslides on some roads, with two Loch Ness-side routes closed to traffic.
Highland Council has confirmed that the B862 is closed between Dores and Torness because of a landslip at Loch Ceo Glais, and the B852 is shut between Dores and Foyers due to a separate landslide.
ScotRail services are also experiencing major disruption on the Highland mainline due to flooding of the track near Carrbridge.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) said its Inshes monitoring station had recorded 4.9cm of rain fell at the station in just 36 hours, with 3.6cm of that falling in a two to three hour window in the small hours of this morning. In August 2018, only 3.66cm of rain was recorded in the entire month.
The area around Sluggan and Carrbridge recorded even higher rainfall totals overnight, and water levels in the River Dulnain rose so rapidly that parts of the old packhorse bridge were being swamped.
A Met Office weather warning for thunderstorms, which came into effect at midnight, remains in force this morning. It is expect to last until 10pm tonight.
Confirming disruption to Highland rail services, a ScotRail spokesman said: "Because of heavy rain flooding the railway between Inverness and Carrbridge the line is closed.
"Train services running to and from these stations will be cancelled, delayed or revised.
"Our staff have been mobilised to carry out safety checks on the line between Carrbridge and Inverness after reports of flooding on the line. Once we have more information from the ground we will keep you updated.
"We've organised buses to shuttle between Inverness and Aviemore but because of very limited replacement road transport being secured, passengers are advised to consider making their own arrangements."
A number of services have been cancelled north of Aviemore, with some starting or terminating in either Aviemore or Perth.
The rail disruption is expected to last until at least midday today.
Meanwhile, Highland Council has warned residents that there are two flood warnings in place for the Highland area, and urged people to keep an eye on the Scottish Environment Protection Agency website.
A Sepa spokesman added: "Heavy thundery downpours are possible across much of the country today but, as thunderstorms are intense, localised and hard to predict, your specific area may not be impacted. Please be vigilant and check the latest updates."
There are currently 17 flood alerts in place across Scotland, including for the Wester Ross, Easter Ross & Great Glen, Findhorn, Nairn, Moray and Speyside areas.
A flood warning is also in force between Sluggan and Dulnain Bridge.
