Approximately 2,000 homes and businesses will benefit from the Scottish Government funded flood warning scheme around the rivers Dee, Don, Deveron and North Esk. 
Over the past decade there have been around 90 significant floods across Scotland and climate change predictions show that Scotland will experience major changes in rainfall patterns.

Full-scale live testing of the SEPA North East Flood Warning System began four days last week earlier than planned due to the adverse weather conditions affecting parts of the north east last week. The system uses state-of-the-art technology to measure rainfall and river levels and issue early flood warnings.

Richard Lochhead (right) said: "Flooding wreaks havoc and distress when ever it strikes and we must do everything we can to protect ourselves from its devastating impact. The past year has seen some of the most severe floods in the North East of Scotland in recent decades, destroying livelihoods and homes.

"That is why the Scottish Government has invested £1m into this ground-breaking warning scheme to significantly improve flooding information in these high-risk areas. This will allow SEPA to issue early warnings and give members of the public vital time to prepare and protect themselves and their properties against flooding and limit the damage it can cause.

"Through the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act and record levels of investment in flood defences, there are now 84 flood prevention schemes in Scotland, with a further seven under construction and four more in the pipeline."

SEPA's Head of Hydrology, (left) Richard Brown noted: "The aim of the flood warning schemes is to prevent loss of life and reduce the economic damage caused by floods. This is achieved through the ability to forecast likely flood conditions and provide interpretation and warnings to those at risk.

"SEPA is further developing its current flood warning provision, and in Spring 2011 we will be launching a new Floodline Warnings Direct service, which will allow members of the public to register to receive direct warnings to their landline or mobile phone.

"Rainfall and river level monitoring across the catchment areas will provide SEPA with improved information on conditions, which will then be used to provide advance warning of flooding to members of the public who can access the information via SEPA's 24 hour Floodline information service.

"This will allow local people crucial extra time to take action to protect themselves and their property. The early warning system will also be used to alert the police and local authorities to any potential flood threat so they can respond if necessary."