Roads forced to close after deluge
The B954 Alyth to Meigle Road, Crathies Bridge, was severely flooded. Picture: Stewart McNiven
A number of Perth and Kinross roads were forced close over the weekend after the region was hit by torrential rain and overnight flooding.
The council deployed additional resources to protect homes and other properties following an amber weather warning made by the Met Office last Friday.
The region then felt the turbulent affects of Storm Alex throughout Saturday and Sunday.
In Perth, river levels were “high” but council workers kept the screens on Craigie Burn clear, which helped to prevent any issues.
The local authority also took the early decision to close the flood gates on the South Inch.
Despite precautions being taken, the A93 stretch between Blairgowrie and Perth at Cargill had to close due to flooding.
The B954 Alyth to Meigle at Crathies Bridge, the C423 Aberbothrie Road and the A926 Alyth to Blairgowrie at New Alyth were also made to close due to the adverse weather conditions.
Sandbags were put in place on some roads by the council as a preventative measure, including the C446 Banff Road, Alyth between Market Square and Jonshill Road, and Alyth between Bridge Street and Pitnacree Street.
Council teams were out working with residents in Alyth to distribute sandbags after the town was hit by the heavy downpour.
A Perth and Kinross Council spokesperson said: “Based on the amber weather warning received by the Met Office on Friday, Perth and Kinross Council deployed additional resources to protect homes and other properties from flooding this weekend.
“Council officers worked with residents in Alyth to distribute sandbags on Saturday night while work was also carried out overnight to keep screens on Craigie Burn in Perth clear.
“There had also been an early decision to close the flood gates on the South Inch based on the amber warning.
“Several roads were closed because of the rain on Sunday but apart from C423 Aberbothrie road these had all re-opened by Monday.”
Many Alyth locals selflessly worked through the night to protect homes from flooding.
The Alyth Hotel kindly offered accommodation for anyone who needed to evacuate, making rooms available along with support to all volunteers with hot drinks.
KT Garrett of the Alyth Community Support Group (ACSG) said there were no homes flooded in Saturday’s heavy rain.
“During the night, there was a team out and about helping the council,” she said.
“Everyone in Alyth is really hands on and they help each other.
“It’s about giving people peace of mind.”
Following adverse weather warnings, locals distributed sandbags to areas at high risk of flooding.
The ACSG provided sandbags, with an additional eight pallets provided by the council.
Locals also used water level monitoring system RiverTrack to observe the extent to which Alyth Burn was rising during the rainfall.
Sensors have been placed at the burn, which allow people to keep track of water levels.