Storm Babet: entire Scottish town told to evacuate

Hundreds of homes in a Scottish town have been told to evacuate amid fears the River Esk will be breached during Storm Babet.

Some 350 homes in Brechin, Angus, are affected. Angus Council will open rest centres from 3pm for residents at Montrose Sports Centre and Brechin and Forfar community campuses.

Residents are being asked to bring their own sleeping bags and essentials they will need, including medications.

A rare red weather warning for floods and strong winds posing a “risk to life” has been issued for parts of Scotland, forcing schools to close and transport to shut down.

The storm, which hit Ireland after sweeping in from the Atlantic, is forecast to bring 70mph gusts and more than a month’s worth of rain in