It’s exactly a year ago today, just a week after Storm Frank brought Deeside to its knees, that another two major north-east rivers burst their banks.
The Don and Ythan both reached record highs on January 7, 2016, with the deluge flooding 130 homes and 16 businesses in Inverurie, Port Elphinstone and Kintore; and a further 64 homes and three businesses in Ellon.
Twelve months on from the events – regarded as the worst flooding to hit the region since the Muckle Spate of 1829 – the communities are looking more like their old selves.
Aberdeenshire Council has now rebuilt the Davidson Park bund in Port Elphinstone, which gave way when the River Don burst its banks during last winter’s floods.
Port Elphinstone resident, Derek MacKay, said the arrival of his first granddaughter, Christina McKay, just two days after their home was ruined by the waters of the Don, had helped his family through the year.
The 71-year-old and his wife, Lyn, moved back into their Riverside Park property in July after losing two cars and every possession in their home of 14 years.
Last night, he said: “I think it was a bit of a mixed feeling when we came back to the house in July. We realised then exactly what we had lost. We were left with nothing. It was a completely new house.
“Exactly two days after the floods, we had a granddaughter born on the 9th. She was a big help to us the whole year. Certainly there has been times where we have come along and she has cheered us up.”
He said he hoped the new bund would safeguard his street should a future event take place.
Inverurie and District councillor, Bryan Stuart, is confident Port Elphinstone will be better protected by a forthcoming council flood defence scheme.
Twelve locations in Aberdeenshire, including Ballater, have been identified for flood protection studies – with projects in Ballater, Ellon, Inverurie, Port Elphinstone, Insch and Stonehaven being pushed through first.
SNP councillor Mr Stuart said: “There are obviously still outstanding issues to address, particularly in Keithhall Road, but I am confident we are meeting the needs. The bund has been reinstated to its original height at Davidson Park.
“In the longer term, we’ll have a formal flood scheme (in Port Elphinstone) and the development of that has been accelerated.
“I have to say it has been a tough and demanding year for a lot of people, most of all the residents affected by the flooding, but the resilience of the town has been impressive and the efforts by the council staff and other public authorities has been good.”
