RESIDENTS in the western Scottish Borders in particular are being urged to prepare for potential flooding, with heavy rain forecast for the area throughout this morning.

The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning for rain which comes into effect at 3am on Friday morning and runs until 12noon.

This covers an area to the south west of Selkirk and Denholm, including the Ettrick Valley, Hawick and Newcastleton.

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Other areas are also likely to experience heavy rain, including Peebles and the central Borders. A yellow weather warning is in place covering the region west of the A697, which runs from midnight tonight to 2pm on Friday.

Border Telegraph: Council warns of potential flooding in parts of the Borders today (Image 2019)Council warns of potential flooding in parts of the Borders today (Image 2019) (Image: Newsquest Helen Barrington)

Within the amber warning area up to 70mm of rain may fall in some upland areas, with 50mm expected widely. In the wider yellow warning area up to 30mm of rain is anticipated. 

Due to the persistent rain and already saturated ground, river and surface water flooding is likely. Residents are urged to put in place property-level flood defences where they have these available.

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A number of flood warnings are expected to be issued by SEPA throughout this evening as a precaution and to provide early warning.

Further warnings are likely throughout the early hours of Friday morning as river levels rise. Those in the Cuddyside area of Peebles are encouraged to move their vehicles to safe locations tonight if at all possible.

All Scottish Borders Council’s sandbag stores are fully stocked to assist residents in affected areas and steps are being taken to protect exposed areas of Hawick where construction of the flood protection scheme is ongoing.

Updates will be provided by the Council through the free emergency messaging service SB Alert. Sign up now at www.sbalert.co.uk