Heavy rain causes landslides and flooding

Landslides are affecting traffic on the main A970 road between the Bigton junction and Levenwick, as well as on the A971 at Weisdale.

At least one lane at Levenwick is blocked with debris washed off the hill by the heavy rain Shetland has been experiencing since lunchtime.

Police said that the main road at Weisdale is also partially blocked.

The A970 road at the north end of Cunningsburgh is flooded after the Burn of Laxdale burst its banks.

Other flooding incidents haved been reported at:

• the A970 at Channerwick;
• the B9075 at Skellister;
• the Maywick road at Vatster Loch;
• at Sandwick.

Police urged motorists to take extra care when out driving and added that it “probably would get worse before the night is over”.

Fair Isle has recorded more than 115mm of rain since Saturday morning according to BBC Weather. Lerwick fared slightly better with 65mm.

Earlier on Saturday, environment protection agency SEPA issued a flood alert for the whole of Shetland.

For an hour-by-hour forecast please check out our weather page at: www.shetnews.co.uk/weather/ 

Do you have any photos or video footage of the heavy rain? Please send them to news@shetnews.co.uk