Flood Information 27, 29

that they’ve both grasped life with eager and individual hands. I hope the world is a better place for my young women being in it, and also that the next generational chapter will be as lovingly positive. Of course, positivity has been in rather short supply over the last nearly two years, but I’m still in hope for some sort of new normal where we’ve learnt lessons of kindness: being supportive, thoughtful and caring for our fellow humans. Our community found this in bucketloads. I am also glad that currently face coverings and distancing continues, as I’m not sure we should go back to our complacent pre-pandemic behaviours. Originally the World Health Organisation stated mask effectivity was unproven, but after looking at the data it became clear that countries where mask wearing was normality before the pandemic were doing far better than those that didn’t. That’s the great thing about science, continually analysing and peer-reviewing data to work out if something is proven, or not. Yes, it was strange wearing face coverings at first, and yes it does make recognising folk more difficult - my apologies to folk I have inadvertently ignored - but it seems to me that face coverings indoors, especially in busy poorly ventilated places, not only could, but should remain in our daily behaviour. It’s not just about protecting ourselves as it also protects others, and their families and friends, from air-borne diseases, like Covid, the common cold and flu. It has the power to break chains of transmission. In many Asian countries no-one bats an eyelid to mask-wearers, and I think there’s great benefit there for us all through very simple mitigation that we’ve become accustomed to over the last months. Attention to keeping hands clean also adds to stopping the spread of other viruses like Norovirus. Another change I’ve become aware of is that, although I’m a hugger and have really missed that human contact of hugging a friend I meet in the street, I’ve become more understanding of those who don’t enjoy hugging. Despite knowing some folk that don’t share my enthusiasm for having their personal space invaded by someone closing in for an unwanted hug, I really hadn’t walked enough in their shoes to understand it. Lockdown changed this, as, through spending more time on social media, I realise many are fearful of restrictions easing, particularly because they have appreciated this time to not be randomly hugged by all and sundry. Some are fabulously owning this by embracing the term neuro-funky. I love that. It’s always good to see how folk can reclaim a ‘negative’ by clawing it back and owning it. In doing so, they teach and enrich others. Now I will consider whether a person is neuro-funky before going in for a hug just because I like hugs. Hopefully a lasting result from this pandemic is more kindness and understanding of others. I’ve been reminded that I’m never too old to learn, especially if that learning makes me kinder. May autumn be kind on us all, and our community spirit undimmed by the strange journey we’re all having. Be kind. Be happy. Don’t hug the neuro-funky. Cheers! 

Ballater Flood Risk

by Janelle Clark, Area Manager (Marr)

Aberdeenshire Council met with representatives from the Ballater and Crathie Community, the Flood Issues Group and the Golf Club on 29th June. It was made clear to the Council that flood risk remains of concern to residents, and that this concern has increased since Ballater suffered a ‘near miss’ flood event on the weekend of 20th/21st February this year, following some extreme snow melt in the area, and when properties were required to be evacuated by emergency services. Aberdeenshire Council continues to promote a Flood Scheme in accordance with the preferred option, as identified in the Ballater Flood Study, completed in December 2019 and submitted to Scottish Government for prioritisation and consideration of funding in future cycles of the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009. Public Consultation of the next stage of Flood Risk Management Strategies and Local Flood Risk Management Plans opened on 30th July 2021 and will close on Sunday, 31st October, 2021. The consultation is available from https://consultation.sepa.org.uk. 43 The preferred route for consultation responses is ‘online’ through the consultation hub, or alternatively in writing to: SEPA Flood Risk Management Consultation Angus Smith Building, 6 Parklands Avenue Eurocentral, Holytown, North Lanarkshire ML1 4WQ For information on the Ballater Flood Study and the Preferred Option (including a list of Frequently Asked Questions), please visit:-http://ballater-fps.com/ supplementary-reports/ The following information explains what else the community can do to be more resilient and prepared. During a flood event, outwith normal office hours Police Scotland can be contacted on 101 and they can then contact the Roads Service’s Duty Officer. On Mon – Fri, 8.45am-5pm, the Council can be contacted at their Contact Centre on 0345 608 1205. Aberdeenshire Council has installed a storage container for sandbags at Ballater School, and arrangements are in place for this to be opened and available for collection, and for retrieval purposes, by the public during an emergency. Anyone who experiences internal sewer flooding, for example via toilets or drains backing up, should report this to Scottish Water on 0800 0778 778. Roles and Responsibilities in a flooding event are set out on Aberdeenshire Council’s website: http://www. aberdeenshire.gov.uk/environment/ flooding/roles-and-responsabilities/ In advance of any flooding event (if

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not already done so) residents and businesses can increase their resilience by signing-up for Flood Alerts and Warnings from SEPA’s Floodline Service https://www.sepa.org.uk/environment/ water/flooding/floodline/ and by installing property level protection in the form of floodgates for doors and air vent guards. These are provided at reduced-cost by the Council, which can also offer free advisory visits to discuss flood resilience. Please call 01467 533294 for further information. Residents and businesses may also consider installing flood doors. Issues have been raised previously regarding the need for Planning Approval to install these in a Conservation area such as Ballater. Providing these are ‘Timber Flood Doors’ available at the required industry standard (PAS1181-1 2014 Flood protection products with Specification – Building Aperture Products), then they are considered to be acceptable in planning terms. It is also important to remind people not to drive through any standing flood water of significant depth (anything higher than the road kerbing) for the following reasons: This can cause a bow wave to form which can increase the chances of flooding to properties; There is also a danger to safety – anyone driving through flood water cannot see if manhole covers are still in place and if there are any significant voids in the road surface.

With this in mind, Aberdeenshire 45 Council has previously provided local businesses with Road Closed signs to be used temporarily, when there is a significant risk of such flooding. Aberdeenshire Council also gave commitment to continue to work with the Ballater and Crathie Community - Flood Issues Group (and other relevant agencies). The Council will commission an additional Flood Study, which will look at the geometric changes in the river since February 2021, and will assess the level of flood risk protection, in comparison to the previous Flood Study modelling work, recorded in August 2017. The additional flood study will also consider the viability of minor measures which may increase flood risk protection at Ballater, for 5 – 10-year return period events, i.e. a standard of protection against a high likelihood of flooding, with a 10% chance of happening in any one year. It is worth noting however, this would be well below the level of protection offered by the identified preferred option of 200-year protection (0.5% chance of happening in any one year) and required to be sufficient to prevent flooding from another December 2015 event (Storm Frank). 