The 5th January 1991 event: video of impacts at Saltcoats, southwest Scotland

Photo by Oliver Clarke / CC BY 2.0

Storm ‘Undine’, one of the costliest winter storms, resulted in extensive and severe impacts in many parts of the UK. This event is ranked currently ranked 3rd in the SurgeWatch database, with a sea level return period of 134 years recorded at Portpatrick.

Saltcoats, a small town on the west coast of North Ayrshire, Scotland, was impacted by coastal flooding during the event. A compilation of clips made available through a great YouTube video reveals the impact of the flooding at Saltcoats, with details of the consequences once flood water had receded. An emergency rescue worker reports to a journalist that 225 people were evacuated in Saltcoats, with evidence of many properties – both residential and non-residential – affected by flooding. Stark footage shows evidence of homes that were made uninhabitable.

Further footage in the video also shows evidence of the town experiencing a coastal flood in November 1926. During the 2013/2014 winter, Saltcoats was again flooded on 3rd January 2014.