I live in Brechin – the council wants us to evacuate for Storm Babet but we’re going nowhere

A BRECHIN resident has said he will not leave his home despite an evacuation order from the council during Storm Babet.

Angus Council issued an evacuation order to around 370 homes in Brechin, Tannadice and Finavon as heavy rain and wind is expected to leave many homes uninhabitable.

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John Stewart has installed a flood gate at the entrance to his property and say they won’t go even if they’re askedCredit: PA

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John and his wife also built a wall to try and stop any floodwaterCredit: PA

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The Met Office issued a rare red weather warning for parts of Angus, Aberdeenshire, Perth, Dundee and Arbroath for heavy rain.

But one resident has said he has no intention of leaving his home when authorities ask him to.

John Stewart told PA he wasn’t going because his wife didn’t want to go.

Instead, the couple have said they built a wall around their garden to try and protect their home from the flood water.

And they have also installed a bright blue flood gate at the entrance to their front garden.

The 82-year-old said: “I won’t be leaving because my wife won’t go.

“The trouble is, the last time there was flooding we couldn’t get sandbags and ended up paying £3 each for them.

“The council is supposed to give you that stuff and they don’t.”

Mr Stewart added the council should “look after” Brechin’s residents and help and supply them with sandbags.

Brechins is expected to be in the eye of the storm with homes closest to the river being asked to leave.

Emergency rest centres are being set up to house residents and are opening at 3pm.

The centres are at Montrose Sports Centre and Brechin and Forfar Community Campuses.

Angus Council also closed all of their schools today and tomorrow as a month’s worth of rain is expected to fall in 24 hours.

The Lord Provost of Angus Council, Brian Boyd, said his thoughts go to all residents affected by the severe weather in the area.

At a livestreamed council meeting, Mr Boyd said: “At this time I would also like to say my thoughts go to all the Angus residents affected by this storm today.

“I also thank all members of staff working in these atrocious conditions, keeping our residents as safe as humanly possible.”

A motion was moved at the meeting to adjourn until Tuesday because of the “emergency situation”.

An Angus spokesperson said: “Over the past few days, resilience colleagues have been working with SEPA to identify areas at most risk of flooding, due to the unprecedented level of rain that is expected to fall across Angus. 

“SEPA have advised of a possible severe flood warning.

“As a result, we have identified approximately 370 homes in Brechin, and additional homes in Tannadice and Finavon where residents will be asked to evacuate for their own safety. 

“In preparation of such a situation, rest centres have been set up at Brechin Community Campus, Montrose Sports Centre and Forfar Community Campus which will open at 3pm to support those affected and we are working closely with colleagues from Angus Health and Social Care Partnership to identify vulnerable residents who will require additional support.”

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