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Flooding
If you need to be evacuated due to flooding or severe damage, contact the police or other emergency services by calling 999.
No-one can stop flooding altogether, but being prepared can make a real difference. It is important to know that property owners are responsible for protecting their own property against flooding - this is not the responsibility of Orkney Islands Council.
The information on this page is intended to offer basic advice only and does not constitute legal, expert or professional advice.
Plan ahead
If you live or work in a flood risk area, there are some practical things worth doing now. Check with your home contents and buildings insurers about flood cover - Flood Re is a joint government and insurer scheme that aims to make insurance more affordable for those at risk. Know where to check the latest weather reports and flood warnings. Prepare a supply of any essential family medication, and think about which sentimental or valuable items you might want to store somewhere safe and high up, such as upstairs.
We'd also encourage you to check on any elderly or vulnerable neighbours, friends or family to make sure they're prepared too.
It's worth putting together a family flood plan and a flood kit, including a battery or wind-up radio, torches, blankets, waterproof clothing, plastic gloves, a first aid kit, a camera, and any important personal documents.
Making a Flood Kit
Find out now where your mains electricity and water shut-offs are. Appliances like cookers, washing machines and dishwashers that are connected to rigid pipes should be disconnected in a flood, as this helps prevent damage if pipes move or float.
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Simple measures
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Home improvements
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How to use sandbags
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How to make and use flood boards
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Wrapping a property
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Sign up for flood warnings
You can sign up to Floodline, SEPA's flood warning service, to get Flood Alerts and Flood Warnings sent directly to your mobile phone. A Flood Alert lets you know when flooding is possible in Orkney. Flood Warnings are issued up to 48 hours ahead of predicted coastal flooding, giving you extra time to prepare.
SEPA also issues localised Coastal Flood Warnings for the areas most exposed to coastal flooding: Kirkwall, Burray and Ayre of Cara, Stromness, Longhope and Hoy, St Mary's and Graemeshall, St Margaret's Hope, Scapa, Stronsay, Sanday, Westray, and the Churchill Barriers. You can check the area-specific links, or sign up by calling Floodline on 0345 988 1188 or visiting their website. You can register for more than one area, such as Kirkwall and the Churchill Barriers, by phone.
SEPA's Scottish Flood Forecast service also shows predicted flooding impacts for the current day and the following two days.
During a flood
There are things you can do during a flood to keep yourself and your family safe and to minimise damage to your property.
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During A Flood
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After a flood
Once floodwaters have receded, there are practical steps to help with recovery.
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Following A Flood
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Flood defences
Kirkwall Harbour flood defences
When forecasts indicate a flood risk in central Kirkwall, we deploy flood gates along the harbour front. Combined with the stone harbour wall, these create a continuous 1.1 metre barrier running about half a mile between Ayre Mills and the St Catherine's Place roundabout.
When the gates are in place, access to Kirkwall Pier and the wider harbour area is affected, and vehicles will not be able to move in or out of the Waterfront West-Shapinsay Slip car park. We work with SEPA to give as much advance warning as possible. If you live or work in Kirkwall, we'd recommend signing up for SEPA's Coastal Flood Warning service for the area. We also post updates on our social media channels when the flood gates are deployed or under consideration.
St Margaret's Hope flood defences
When SEPA's flood forecasting indicates a risk of coastal flooding at St Margaret's Hope - whether from high tides, storm surges or high winds - we deploy floodstop barriers. Ahead of this, we ask that parked cars are removed from the Cromarty Slip and Front Road area. Where time and resources allow, we also place a limited number of sandbags near the flood defences for public use. The barriers remain in place until conditions ease.
Who's responsible for what
Several organisations have a role in managing flood risk and responding to flooding in Orkney.
Emergency services
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Emergency services
Show HidePolice Scotland coordinates the overall response if a major incident is declared, including evacuation, public information and site security. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has a duty to rescue people trapped or at risk from floodwater, and assists with casualties alongside the police and ambulance services. The Scottish Ambulance Service provides the first NHS response, including immediate care and evacuation to hospital.
Orkney Islands Council
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Orkney Islands Council
Show HideOur duties relating to flooding are set out in the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009. During a severe weather incident, our focus is on supporting the emergency services and the most vulnerable members of our community. We inspect and clear watercourses and culvert screens on a regular schedule and when conditions require it. We sometimes provide sandbags to areas at high risk of flooding, though this can't always be guaranteed, and our operatives maintain and deploy flood defences when risk is high.
You can reach us during working hours on 01856 873535, or out of hours in an emergency on 01856 876338. Please note that during a flooding emergency our phone lines can become very busy, so we'd ask you to call only if necessary. We post updates on flood preparations and disruptions on our website and social media.
SEPA
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SEPA
Show HideSEPA is Scotland's national authority for flood forecasting, flood warning and strategic flood risk management. It has a statutory duty to produce Scotland's Flood Risk Management Strategies, and monitors weather and sea conditions to predict flooding and issue warnings through Floodline. You can reach Floodline on 0345 988 1188.
Scottish Water
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Scottish Water
Show HideScottish Water is a responsible authority under the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009, with duties relating to the public sewer network and its interaction with surface water and river flooding. If you have concerns about your water supply during or after a flood, you can contact their customer service line on 0345 601 8855, or their emergency line on 0345 600 8855.
Our Flood Risk Management Plan
Our Local Flood Risk Management Plan takes forward the actions set out in SEPA's Flood Risk Management Plan for Orkney. [link to plan]
Scottish Flood Forum
The Scottish Flood Forum offers advice on flood preparedness, including insurance, protecting your property, and recovering after a flood. Our Engineering team works closely with them and can help explain anything on this page in more detail. You can contact the Flood Forum on 0131 563 9392, or download their guides below.
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During the flood
This document contains safety advice for people during a flood and while cleaning up afterwards. It explains how to follow evacuation guidance, avoid fast-flowing or contaminated water, check buildings, debris and power lines, and safely turn off gas and electricity. It also covers protective clothing, wounds, health risks and extra precautions for children, pregnant women and people with health problems.
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Protecting property
This document contains advice on protecting homes and businesses from flooding during repairs, renovations or improvements. It shows how floodwater can enter, including through doors, walls, floors, pipes, air bricks and drains. It warns that trying to keep out water deeper than 1m may cause structural damage. Suggested measures include planting vegetation, raising equipment, sealing openings, using non-return valves and choosing flood-resistant materials and fittings.
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Starting a community resilience group
This document contains guidance from the Scottish Flood Forum on starting a community resilience group. It explains the benefits of local groups, how to gather support, plan activities, choose a structure and work with responsible authorities. It also covers constitutions, committee roles, action plans, working with existing community networks and practical tips for keeping people involved.
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Case study - Edzell
This document contains a case study of how Edzell Flood Group and Angus Council worked together to create a community flood plan after serious flooding in 2012. It explains how the plan identifies local risks, vulnerable people, communication methods, safe actions and partner responsibilities. It also shares lessons from testing the plan and reports improved knowledge, partnership working and community resilience, including avoiding flooding during Storm Frank in 2015 and 2016.
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A brief guide to drying your home
This document contains a brief guide to drying homes after flooding or burst pipes. It explains why drying should start quickly, how to work with insurers and contractors, and what safety checks are needed before returning home. It outlines open, closed and heat-assisted drying methods, with practical advice on using dehumidifiers, heating and ventilation. The Scottish Flood Forum also provides further advice and may lend drying equipment to some uninsured households.
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Your household resilience plan
This document contains a practical household flood plan from the Scottish Flood Forum. It explains flood risks and warning messages, and covers steps to take before, during and after flooding, including preparing an emergency grab bag, protecting belongings, checking insurance and contacting emergency services. Fill-in sections help households plan for adults, children, older or vulnerable people, pets, vehicles and different rooms in the home. It also includes useful contacts and information about Floodline.
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Flood protection guide
This document contains practical guidance from the Scottish Flood Forum on understanding flood risk and how water can enter a property. It explains a range of flood protection products, including air brick covers, door barriers, valves, pumps and alternatives to sandbags, while noting that products are illustrative and may not suit every property. It also suggests items for an emergency grab bag and gives information about support, flood warnings and property assessments.
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Orkney Local Flood Risk Management Plan
This document contains the Orkney Local Flood Risk Management Plan for 2022–2028. It explains the main flood risks across Orkney, especially coastal flooding, erosion and surface water flooding, and identifies eight potentially vulnerable areas. The plan sets out actions including shoreline planning, flood warnings, improved mapping, emergency preparation, maintenance and natural flood management, led by Orkney Islands Council, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Scottish Water. It also describes how progress will be monitored and reported.
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