Residents’ anger at lack of measures

Residents of a busy Aberdeen street have urged the city council to be more proactive to prevent flash flooding.

Water rushed down Esslemont Avenue, in the Rosemount area, with leaves building up and blocking the drains.

Locals were seen sweeping the knee- deep water and debris away from their front door, while videos emerged online of “waves” rippling along the pavement by Aberdeen Grammar School.

Police closed off the road while the carriageway was cleared.

One local, who did not want to be named, called for Aberdeen City Council to be more proactive in clearing the leaves to prevent significant damage.

They said: “It’s not a case of the council needing to clear the leaves more often – it’s a case of them doing it at all.

“It’s not much fun getting out of bed in the morning to go out and clear these drains.

“If I don’t, my flat will flood, as my neighbour’s has in the past.

“Cars have also been written off in the street because of the flood water.”

Aberdeen City Council said it had 80 people out assessing the most badlyhit areas, with more than 50 incidents recorded.

A limited number of sandbags were made available from the Tullos depot for those affected by flooding or in immediate danger.

An council spokeswoman said last night: “We had a very high intensity of rain over a very short period, with the Sepa flood alert coming out just before 7am.

“Our flooding teams are dealing with about 20 incidences of flooding across the city still, so the clean-up operation continues.”

Earlier in the day Westburn Road, at its junction with Argyll Place, was badly flooded and there was also surface water at King’s Gate and Fountainhall Road.

Roads around Dyce were also hit and the route under Stoneywood Bridge was closed.

The A96 Aberdeen to Inverurie road, at Forrit Brae, was badly affected by surface water although it remained passable with care.

Pet’s Corner, at Hazlehead Park, was shut for most of the day due to flooding but a council spokeswoman confirmed it has now been cleared.

DELUGE: Residents clear the flooding on Esslemont Avenue, Aberdeen.

Sandbags diverted a river of brown water on Hospital Road, Ellon.

The Ythan has broken its banks near Ellon’s bridges.

A car makes its way through flooding near Elgin.

The Ythan creeps towards a car park in Ellon.

The A947 near Swailend, just north of Dyce.