Torrential rain across Perthshire caused traffic chaos and affected numerous homes and businesses yesterday.
The deluge began in the early hours and continued into the afternoon with over an inch and a half (40mm) of rainfall recorded by the Met Office.
Firefighters in Perth used high-velocity pumps to deal with flooding at Atholl Guest House in Marshall Place and the defunct Exel restaurant in South Street.
Marshall Place was closed for a time as fire crews and council staff worked to clear the street and cars could be seen ploughing through several inches of water once it reopened.
Feus Road was closed from around 7.30am, while County Place, Scott Street and High Street also had flooding.
The Crieff Road pre-school centre was forced to close due to substantial flooding.
The service is to be provided from Goodlyburn Primary School until further notice.
North Inch Community Campus and Fairfield Community Centre were put on alert to act as emergency rest centres should the need arise.
A section of the A85 Barnhill Interchange at Perth, leading to the southbound on-slip to the M90, was closed for a time, while the B898 Dalguise to Dunkeld road was closed from around 10am to 6pm due to blocked culverts.
A spokesman for Perth and Kinross Council said: “Feus Road was badly affected by water following heavy rainfall, posing a risk to nearby properties. Tayside Fire and Rescue brought in a high-velocity water pump and Perth and Kinross Council also deployed a 6in pump.
“The council delivered 250-300 sandbags to properties, which were positioned in case the situation worsened. Sandbags have also been delivered to two properties in North Street, Burrleton, and Mill of Fyall, Alyth.”
“The council and its partner agencies will continue to monitor the situation.
“However, the weather forecast predicts that rain will ease.”
Tayside Fire and Rescue group manager Andy Hermiston said: “All Tayside emergency services have been responding to multiple flooding incidents in central Perth since the early hours of this morning.
“The multi-agency approach has been co-ordinated from Perth Fire Station and has required resources from all agencies in high numbers. Specialist Tayside Fire and Rescue water rescue teams have been deployed to ensure the safety of local residents.
“This dynamic situation is being managed on an incident-by-incident basis and priority is being given to those who are most at risk.”
Local authority efforts to combat the flood waters were praised by Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Liz Smith.
She said: “I would like to pay tribute to the emergency services and council representatives who worked to assist those affected by the flooding which has hit Perth.”
In Dundee, huge puddles formed on busy thoroughfares such as Riverside Drive and Arbroath Road and motorists were urged to drive with caution. The downpour also affected some properties in the city and parts of Angus.
Police also warned drivers to be alert to surface water on the A90 in the Peterhead and Fraserburgh areas.
Elsewhere, two Highland rivers were placed on flood watch by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency yesterday. It said the rivers Findhorn and Nairn were being monitored as a precautionary measure.
Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser called on the Scottish Government to make flood prevention a priority for Perthshire.
The deputy Scottish Tory leader said: “The flooding of Perth city centre just underlines the need for a full review of our flood-prevention measures and to make our area a priority for investment in flood-prevention schemes.
“Of course, there is a limit to what government can do up against the forces of nature but we must acknowledge that upgrading flood-prevention schemes in Perth and Perthshire is a start in tackling this issue and helping protect homes and businesses.”