Met Office names the eight Scots towns on urgent flood alert list amid 33-hour rain warning
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EIGHT towns in Scotland have been put on flood alert by the Met Office as 33 hours of heavy rain is set to batter the country.
Weather experts have issued a two day yellow weather warning for parts of the west coast and islands.
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Parts of Scotland are braced for 33 hours of heavy rain (ARCHIVE IMAGE)
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Up to 60mm of rain could fall over the next two days (ARCHIVE IMAGE)
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Several areas are on alert for flooding (ARCHIVE IMAGE)
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There are risks of power cuts and travel chaos (ARCHIVE IMAGE)
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The warning is in place on the west coast until tomorrow
Credit: MET OFFICE
The alert was in place from 6am today until 3pm tomorrow.
Scots in the warning zone have been warned to expect heavy and persistent rain, with up to 40 to 60 mm rain to fall and this could increase to 100mm in the mountains with potential thunderstorms.
Wind speeds are expected to reach up to 60mph on the coast and higher areas.
People have also been urged to prepare for flooding amid the torrential downpours.
A Met Office spokesperson said: 'Rain is expected to be persistent, and heavy at times, during much of Friday and overnight, before slowly easing later on Saturday. 40 to 60 mm rain is expected to build up quite widely with in excess of 100 mm over a few mountains.
'Rain will be accompanied by windy conditions, especially Friday daytime when gusts will reach 40 to 50 mph around coasts and hills.'
Eight towns are in the alert area, with locals told to take action in case the worst should occur.
Fort William, Oban, Rothesay, Greenock, Lochgilphead, Inverary, Tobermory and Portree on the Isle of Skye are all on alert.
Locals have been urged to stay off the roads and even prepare an emergency flood kit.
The Met Office added: 'Keep yourself and others safe; prepare to avoid travelling by road during potentially dangerous road conditions. If you must travel, ensure you watch for possible danger and drive cautiously.
Terrifying vids show flash floods surging through Italian towns leaving 1 dead
'It is not safe to drive, walk or swim through floodwater, avoid it where possible and if you are affected by fast flowing or deep-water call 999, and wait for help.
'Preparing a flood kit could save you from loss or damage due to flooding to your home or business."
The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency have issued six flood alerts across the west of the country as the torrential downpours arrive.
Alerts are in place for Argyll and Bute, Ayrshire and Arran, Easter Ross and Greater Glen, Skye and Lochaber, West Central Scotland and Wester Ross.
What to pack in an emergency flood kit Insurance and any other important documents
A torch
Spare batteries
First aid kit
Prescription medicines
Supplies for looking after your family members or pets
Warm and waterproof clothes
Blankets
Food and water
Some areas could be plunged into darkness as power supplies are knocked out by high winds and flooding.
The rain and high winds is also expected to throw travel into chaos.
Calmac ferries have issued 12 disruption warnings over the bad weather with sailings able to be delayed or cancelled at a moment's notice if it isn't safe.
Bad weather is expected to be more widespread over the weekend.
Scattered showers are set to hit most of the country throughout today.
A much larger and heavier rain system will arrive tomorrow and completely wash out the weekend.
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