Storm conditions see burials suspended in Aberdeenshire
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In its latest update on the effects of Storm Babet, Aberdeenshire Council has confirmed the suspension of burial services until next week.
It has been confirmed that rest centres at Stonehaven Community Centre and Mearns Campus at Laurencekirk are being stood up from around 4pm in a proactive approach to safeguard community health and wellbeing before the worst of the weather is upon us.
Aberdeenshire Council are working closely with emergency services, community partners and resilience groups around the readying of additional rest centre facilities should they be required across Aberdeenshire.
Council services are also discussing the potential of a limited catering offering should it be required.
All Live Life Aberdeenshire facilities will remain closed today and tomorrow (Fri) and a review will be undertaken around weekend openings.
Vaccination Centres are closing at 3pm today and won't be open tomorrow
All household recycling centres closed at 2.30pm today and will be closed all day tomorrow (Fri).
There will be no waste collections in the red weather warning area tomorrow (Fri). This affects collections operating from the Stonehaven depot. The continuity of other bin collections tomorrow is still being considered.
Aberdeenshire are also unable to provide burial services until at least Monday next week and will be liaising directly with undertakers.
A spokesperson said: "Apologies for the cancellations, but it is neither safe for mourners or our staff."
A dedicated team scheme from Scottish Water is also monitoring and coordinating the operational response to the predicted weather impacts over the coming days, including an expected rise in reports of customers experiencing sewer flooding as drainage systems become overwhelmed by the extreme rainfall.
Staff will be working to safeguard assets providing essential water and wastewater treatment, as well as monitoring reservoirs and responding to increased customer enquiries.