We’re in deep trouble
Locals fear more f loods from next deluge
PARTS of Scotland are braced for more downpours and serious flooding over the next 24 hours after several days of heavy rain.
The wet weather has already caused widespread damage across the south of the country with bridges washed away in Annan, a rescue operation in Dumfries, and a major incident declared in Hawick, Roxburghshire.
With the ground already wet or saturated, the Met Office yesterby
‘Been living with this nightmare for 17 years’
day urged caution from the public, with a number of flood warnings still in place in both Dumfries and Galloway, and Tayside.
A yellow warning for more heavy rain has been issued for most of today, mainly affecting the Grampian area, with the south-west facing another onslaught in the early hours of tomorrow.
Police in Dumfries and Galloway have also urged people not to park near the River Nith or Whitesands in Dumfries, where a number of businesses have been devastated rising flood waters. One of those is Italian restaurant Ivanos, where co-owner Carol Williamson had only 15 minutes on Friday to evacuate food and equipment from her cellar before it was engulfed.
The mother of two said: ‘I’ve just had to throw out about £2,000 worth of food. We have been living with this nightmare for 17 years.
‘Despite thousands of pounds spent on flood prevention scheme consultations by the local authority, nothing gets done. It’s a disgrace.’ Ms Williamson said the restaurant is now considering legal action against Dumfries and Galloway Council for its alleged failure to install flood prevention measures.
She added: ‘We’ve had enough. How many times do we have to face this before they do something?’
Meanwhile, Dumfries & Galloway Virtual Operations Support Team yesterday tweeted warnings about the hidden dangers of flood water.
It said: ‘We’re receiving reports of people walking through flood water across Dumfries and Galloway. Please do not do this. It is deep in places, it is cold, it is bad for your health and you don’t know what’s below the water.’
Met Office forecaster Tom Morgan said yesterday: ‘The outlook is for rain and wind, turning to sunshine later. Things turn cold on Monday evening and we are going to get into a run of colder days this week.’