Clean up begins after floods

The emergency services were stretched during the peak of the flooding

Waters have begun to subside in the east of Scotland after overnight floods caused hundreds of people to be evacuated from their homes in Edinburgh, Lothian and Grampian.

Furious householders, some of whom have been quick to criticise the emergency procedures, have been left to clean up the silt and mud left by the waters.

Three old people's homes and at least 40 houses were evacuated in Edinburgh overnight on Wednesday as flood waters rose by more than four feet.

Sandbags were used to stem the rising floods

Those affected tried to salvage furniture, gardens and cars were damaged, and a number of homes were left without power.

An Edinburgh householder described the nightmare situation he encountered when the waters started to enter his home.

He said: "It was pretty heartbreaking to be splashing around the living room with water coming in the wellingtons and trying to pass people through the window."

Lack of action

Another resident, Colin Judge, spoke of his anger at what he described as the lack of action by the council.

He said: "We were given a flood warning notice on Wednesday morning, and after that nothing seemed to happen.

"I've since found out sandbags were delivered to the estate, but there was no communication as to how they were to be dispersed among the residents.

"I believe one family colonised a large proportion of these which shows a lack of communication, possibly on the council's part."

Residents clean up after the floods

Edinburgh council leader, Donald Anderson, said that the floods had been the worst in the city for a century and it was fortunate that there had been no deaths or serious injuries.

He added: "We've had over 500 staff working over 24 hours now to try and tackle these problems and they've been working under the direction of the police who've been co-ordinating this work.

"We will work as closely as possible with the residents now to try and solve these problems."

Farm deaths

In Aberdeenshire, the rain caused havoc in the farming community.

One farmer found 21 lambs dead, all victims of the wet, cold conditions.

The National Farmers' Union described the rain as horrendous.

In Elgin, there was further anger that lessons had not been learned from a similar situation two-and-a-half years ago.

One resident, Ewan Adam, said: "It's hard to believe that after two-and-a-half years, and in particular over the last few days when they've known we were going to have a problem, that they've done absolutely nothing."

The Water of Leith was hugely swollen

Roads in the Highlands, Aberdeenshire and around the capital were also badly affected.

The busy A720 Edinburgh Bypass was closed in both directions between Gogar and Lothianburn during peak times on Thursday morning.

Many other roads around the city were hit, including Eastfield road into Edinburgh Airport. The A89 was also closed in places.

The flooding damage is estimated to cost several million pounds.

In Aberdeenshire, surface water and thick fog was causing problems and police urged drivers to proceed with caution.

Lang Stracht in Aberdeen is closed and roads throughout the Highlands are affected by surface water.

Rising threat

Rail services between Aberdeen and Inverness have been cancelled and bus services are in operation.

More than 100 elderly residents at homes in the Peffermill and Gorgie areas of Edinburgh were the first people to be evacuated because of the threat from the rising waters.

Forty households in the Liberton area were evacuated overnight and a primary school was opened in Roseburn to offer shelter to people being moved from their homes.

Homes around the Water of Leith were sandbagged as emergency services struggled to cope with demand.

Flood damage

The playing surface of Murrayfield stadium is under water and it is thought Saturday's rugby league cup final could now be in jeopardy.

In the Highlands, the main problem area has been in and around Inverness.

Northern police say the emergency services have been extremely busy sandbagging and pumping out water.

No-one has been evacuated but several householders have reported flood damage.

In Moray, a flood contingency plan has been put into operation and an emergency rest centre had been opened at Elgin High School, although police stress it is not being occupied yet.