Kirkwall’s coastal flood protection barriers are being deployed

Kirkwall’s coastal flood protection barriers are being deployed today as a precautionary measure following the Flood Warning issued by SEPA, and as part of routine winter preparations. It is anticipated to be finished by Sunday (15 October) with timings to be confirmed depending on the forecast.

This follows an earlier announcement that the town’s floodgates may be closed during the next 24 hours.

We advise against leaving vehicles in the West Waterfront/Shapinsay Slip car park and please note the wider harbour area may be affected.

Whilst the flood warning only applies to tonight, due to wind and tidal forecasts over the next few days the barriers will remain in place into Sunday as a precaution. The Harbours staff are still able to open and close the swing gates to keep traffic moving as needed around peak tide times.

We’d remind people who live and work in Kirkwall to sign up for SEPA’s coastal flood warning service for Kirkwall, which can provide some advance warning when coastal flooding is likely to occur and when these flood barriers might be deployed. SEPA’s flood warnings are available for areas across Orkney.

People may also wish to follow our Roads team on Twitter/X, at www.x.com/OIC_Roads. Our roads team issues updates via Twitter/X when the flood defences are – or are likely to be – deployed. Similarly the feed also provides updates when the Churchill Barriers are closed, or when closure is under consideration.

To receive SEPA Flood Alerts for Orkney and Flood Warnings for Burray, the Churchill Barriers, Hoy and Walls, Kirkwall, Sanday, Scapa, St Margaret’s Hope, Stronsay or Westray, sign up to Floodline by calling 0345 988 1188 or signing up online at www.sepa.org.uk

The OIC_Roads Twitter/X feed is available at www.x.com/oic_roads  All posts are also automatically shared to the OIC Updates Facebook page

Watch a video here about the Kirkwall Flood Defence Scheme on the Council's Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GVhCJrq2Tg