Storm Babet: Scottish town orders urgent evacuation over floods as heavy rain bombards UK

Residents in the flood path have reportedly been ordered to leave with councillors set to conduct door-to-door visits.

A severe flood warning is due to be put in place for the Brechin river south Esk area.

Up to one foot of rain could pour down across the UK in just 24 hours as Britons are warned to brace for "life-threatening" flooding.

A series of weather warnings are in place, including a red warning issued for "exceptional rainfall and impactful wind" in the east of Scotland.

Around 360 properties in Brechin are expected to be evacuated, ahead of a rest centre being set up from 3pm.

Earlier today Angus Council announced that schools and early years centres will close at lunchtime and will remain closed on Friday.

The storm has already left thousands of homes without power and is wreaking havoc on major ScotRail routes today.

The train operator has also cancelled a number of routes from the Central Belt to the north east and the Highlands.

A near-record amount of precipitation is expected to bring a month's worth of rain, along with gusts of up to 70mph, which could leave some people cut off for days.

Low pressure, which formed off the coast of Spain and Portugal in the Atlantic last week, could cause "extensive flooding to homes and businesses and severely disrupted travel conditions".

David Morgan, Flood Duty Manager for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), said: “Storm Babet will bring heavy rain and high winds across Scotland from Wednesday evening.

"Starting in the southwest before moving across to the northeast through Thursday and into the weekend.

“Impacts from surface water and rivers are likely, and with catchments saturated from recent heavy rain and flooding, we’re urging people to be prepared for potential flooding."