Scotland flooding: Homes evacuated and travel disrupted

Homes in Aberdeenshire have been evacuated after the River Don burst its banks, amid heavy rain across eastern Scotland.
Residents, including elderly people and babies, were moved from properties in Inverurie as some water levels reached record highs.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) issued two severe flood warnings, meaning danger to life.
The rail line between Aberdeen and Dundee has been closed due to flooding.
Scotland Live: Keep up to date with all the latest on the flooding here

• On the trains - services to and from central belt are starting and terminating at Dundee. ScotRail are only able to offer "very limited" alternative travel due to the road conditions
  
• Services between Aberdeen and Inverness also severely affected due to flooding at Inverurie
  
• Aberdeen International Airport runway has re-opened after repairs
  
• Some 38 properties in Port Elphinstone, near Inverurie, evacuated overnight and 18 homes evacuated in Ellon as River Ythan threatened to overflow
  
• Sepa said river levels still peaking in Aberdeenshire - River Don at Parkhill peaked at 5.537m - the previous high was 4.168m in November 2002
  
• Twenty-four roads closed in Aberdeenshire and about 13 in Tayside
  
• More than 30 Aberdeenshire schools shut or partially closed on Friday due to weather
  
• Power off in some areas affected by severe weather - engineers at the scene
  
• NHS Grampian residents advised those with private water supply to drink bottled water
  
• The Met Office has further yellow warnings for rain and snow covering many parts of Scotland
  
• Drivers in southern Scotland on snow and ice alert
  

Police Scotland have declared a "major incident".

Aberdeenshire Council said it faced an "escalating emergency response" and had a "very challenging night".

BBC correspondent Kevin Keane said residents in their 80s were among those evacuated in Port Elphinstone.

He said some had been led to ambulances to keep warm while waiting for rescue boats, as "dozens" of homes flooded.

An emergency rest centre became inaccessible because of flood water, and rescue efforts were also hampered by freezing temperatures and snow. The area was also affected by a power cut.

'Tremendous spirit'

David Barrack runs a hotel in Inverurie which escaped the flooding and has offered free rooms to people affected.

He said: "We are full now and we've got people in the reception area and people in the lounge area.

"The bar is busy so it's quite a social event actually. There's tremendous spirit."

Steve Russell was among those forced to leave their homes in Inverurie, where the river flooded streets just after midnight.

He said: "We fortunately had name of the local hotel who was prepared to offer all and sundry a bed or a floor.

"We spent the night there, sleeping in chairs or on the floor, and we are now preparing to go back and see what we are going to be presented with in daylight."

Lot more at   http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-35259398

So glad we live at the top of a hill and we have water meadows.  Finally have sun today, but the rain since Christmas has been ludicrous.

Just a mention, a few Israel's came over to help with flood control.

As an aside to this how much money,has been given to us by countries we have helped in the past?

Cameron turned down the EU fund.

He may have turned down the EU, BUT THAT DOESN'T STOP INDIVIDUAL COUNTRIES DONATING.


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