Flood Forecasting

To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken in conjunction with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency following the severe flooding caused by storm Boelo to address any issues identified with flood forecasting during severe weather. (S7O-00461)

Flood forecasting is a complex process that is made more difficult by the increased frequency and intensity of storms due to climate change. However, the Scottish Government acknowledges SEPA’s critical forecasting role during events such as storm Boelo in warning communities, businesses and responders about flood risk and informing them of the actions that they should take.

After such events, all responders should review their actions and learn any lessons. As such, SEPA is reviewing the forecasting information provided, and I welcome the commitment from Renfrewshire Council to review its decision making on the operation of barriers. We will continue to engage with responders.

In the town of Renfrew in my constituency, 13 businesses and a number of residents were affected by the flooding during storm Boelo. I have done my best to get around as many of them as possible. What financial and practical support is available to those affected, and what steps is the Scottish Government taking to ensure that communities impacted by severe flooding receive timely assistance and support with recovery?

Through the flood recovery framework, eligible households can apply for grants of up to £500 and eligible businesses can apply for grants of up to £2,500 to help with recovery. Officials are working with North Ayrshire Council, Renfrewshire Council and West Dunbartonshire Council, which are responsible for administering grants.

Alongside the immediate recovery support, the programme for government commits to an additional £15 million over the next three years to improve Scotland’s flood resilience. That includes a £5 million community flood resilience fund, investment in nature-based and green solutions, support for flood protection assets, innovative coastal resilience projects and a new flood advisory service.

Many communities across Argyll and Bute are regularly being impacted by flooding following the extreme weather events referred to by the minister. What work is the Scottish Government undertaking with SEPA to improve flood prevention measures in rural and coastal communities?

SEPA is responsible for flood forecasting and warning, and it continues to deliver regular service announcements and post-event reviews, which will help to ensure that warnings remain accurate, timely and useful for communities at risk. The Scottish Government continues to support that work through its funding of SEPA, regular engagement with the flood warning service, funding for the development of a national flood asset database and assessment of infrastructure that is critical to flood warning services.

In addition, we have funded investment of almost £1 million to deploy new near-shore wave buoys. Once fully operational, they will be transformative in SEPA’s coastal flood warning service, helping to inform better flood risk management decisions and coastal change adaptation.

What Paul Sweeney talks about is the ongoing wider public service reform agenda, the whole purpose of which is to make the best use of public money across all sectors. SEPA is part of that discussion at the moment.