SEVERAL major attractions in Edinburgh have been closed today as Storm Dennis continues to wreak havoc across the country.
Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh Zoo and Princes Street Gardens are all shut due to high winds, with the park planning on staying closed until Tuesday out of concern for visitors' safety.
The castle and zoo are offering refunds for visitors who had already booked tickets.
Sorry but due to weather conditions today (Sunday 16 February) , the castle will be closed. We will monitor the weather throughout the day and if it calms down we will open and let you know #hsclosure #edinburghcastle
— Edinburgh Castle (@edinburghcastle) February 16, 2020
A yellow weather warning has been put in place by the Met Office across Scotland until Monday.
The storm has caused disruption and chaos throughout the UK this weekend, with some areas reported to be in "life-threatening" situations.
Emergency service crews rescued two people in the Borders "just in the nick of time" after their car was swept from the road and pinned to a metal gate by a torrent of floodwater.
READ MORE: IN PICTURES: Widespread flooding across UK as Storm Dennis strikes
Severe flood warnings are still in place for parts of the Borders, while people were told to evacuate their homes.
Sepa flood duty manager Mark McLaughlin said on Saturday: "Severe flood warnings for areas in the Scottish Borders have been issued tonight as we continue to see rivers respond to the impacts of Storm Dennis.
"These warnings mean that extensive flooding is expected to properties and businesses with many roads impassable. Some evacuations have been advised.
"The severe flood warnings have been issued for Teviot and Slitrig at Hawick and Newcastleton. We advise people to stay away from flood water and to not take unnecessary risks...
"If you are affected or concerned about flooding please contact the emergency services."
ScotRail is offering refunds to those who had to cancel trips due to the weather, having yesterday warned people in the west of Scotland against travelling.
⚠️ #StormDennis ⚠️
— ScotRail (@ScotRail) February 16, 2020
Due to severe weather, disruption is expected on many routes.
If you are travelling between Glasgow QS/Edinburgh to Aberdeen/Inverness/Dundee/Dunblane/Perth services may be cancelled or revised.
PLEASE CHECK YOUR JOURNEY! 👇👇👇https://t.co/n9bZozkq03 pic.twitter.com/ehG8RKRvLl
Elsewhere, the Met Office has issued amber alerts – meaning people must be prepared to change plans and protect themselves and their family from the storm – for parts of Yorkshire, Wales, Devon, East Sussex and Kent.
A total of 156.2mm of rain fell at Cray Reservoir in Powys in 48 hours. The average monthly rainfall for February in Wales is 111.1mm, according to the Met Office.
Severe flood warnings have been issued for the rivers Neath and Taff in South Wales, as well as the River Teme further north.
Pictures on social media show the Taff bursting its banks and flooding parts of Pontypridd, while rescue workers were using boats to get families to safety after further flooding in nearby Nantgarw.
The situation is said to be "life-threatening" in South Wales, where a red warning has been issued due to heavy rainfall and flooding risk.
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