Published Date: Jan 20th, 2026
Sensors monitoring river levels to help Cupar residents
Fife Council has introduced a new river level alert system in Cupar to help residents in Kinloss Park, Cupar, prepare for rising water levels.
The water level monitor will help warn and inform local residents of potential rising water levels at Skinners Steps which may become a flood risk, alerting them to potential flooding and prepare for any impacts.
A river level sensor on the Lady Burn at Skinner Steps allows water levels to be monitored in real time, and alerts will be issued through email when they reach an alert point.
The move follows widespread flooding caused by the severe storm in December 2023, which affected homes, businesses and roads across Cupar during the festive period. The new alerts are part of steps to improve flood resilience within the community.
Flood sacks, a lightweight alternative to traditional sandbags, are available to local residents from nearby flood pods. Additional pods are also being rolled out, and residents will be directed to their location.
Fife Council’s Environment spokesperson Cllr Jan Wincott welcomed the initiative: “Unfortunately, there are a number of areas in Fife, including Cupar where flooding events are becoming more common as the climate changes. Fife Council is committed to safeguarding communities and continues to invest in measures that reduce flood risk.
“This system provides local alerts when levels rise in the Lady Burn, giving local people the opportunity to prepare in case of flooding, giving them time to take action to protect themselves and their properties.
"We continue to work with communities to tackle flooding challenges, help residents be better prepared for these events and, where we can, put measures in place to reduce flooding risk”.
Residents in flood risk areas are being notified about the alert system and can now sign up for these alerts to get notice of rising water levels and help prepare for flooding. Any residents or business owners who would like to receive alerts from the river level monitor, can email their request to FRM@fife.gov.uk with their email address. Alternatively, please visit the local office, which can share information with the council’s flooding team.
Rising water levels do not always mean flooding will occur and the new system is not a formal flood warning service. Official flood warnings in Scotland are issued by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). More information is available at: https://beta.sepa.scot/flooding
Following the roll out at this location, Fife Council is reviewing additional locations across Fife to alert property owners about rising river levels.
Fife Council Property Flood Resilience Grant (PFRG) scheme open.
Fife Council also offer a grant up to £5,000 to help residents and businesses purchase and install property flood resilience products to protect their properties. Further information can be found here: https://www.fife.gov.uk/kb/docs/articles/environment2/flooding/property-flood-resilience-grant.
