Severe flood warnings have been issued for five areas of Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
It is the first time since Storm Frank – which devastated communities including Ballater and Inverurie – hit seven years ago.
Residents of Kintore, Kemnay, Ballater, Inverurie and Aberdeen, near the River Dee, are to be hit by the worst of the flooding, with water levels expected to peak overnight.
Sepa has given the following advice to locals: “Take action now. Stay away from flood water and do not take unnecessary risks.
“Remain vigilant and remember, it is your responsibility to take actions which help protect yourself and your property.
The rivers Dee, Don and North Esk have already their banks in places, leaving homes, fields and even a caravan park under water.
A massive search was also launched earlier today after a person was swept away by the River Don near Monymusk. It has since been stood down for the night.
Where will be worst affected?
Within the five areas handed sever flood warnings, Sepa has specified specific locations that will be most at risk.
They are the following:
- Kintore – Castle Hill, Kingsfield Road and the B977
- Kemnay – Milton Meadows and Kembhill Park
- Inverurie – Port Elphinstone, along Old Canal, Inverurie Paper Mill, waste water treatment works, railway line and the B993
- Ballater – golf course, caravan park, Golf Road, Dee Street, the A93 and Craigview Road
- Aberdeen – Garthdee and Riverside Drive
Rest centres now open
Several buildings in the worst hit areas have opened their doors to provide respite for people in need.
These are places which the council deem safe enough for people to seek refuge in.
Lights have gone off in parts of Ballater with police going door-to-door trying to persuade those still in their homes in areas which have flooded to leave for the night.
A rest centre has been set up at the Victoria and Albert Hall offering hot food, warmth and a bed for the night for those whose homes have been flooded.
Aberdeenshire Council have stood down the rest centre in Aboyne but the sites in Ballater, Kemnay and Inverurie are still open.
Evening updates: we have stood down our rest centre in Aboyne. The others, in Ballater, Kemnay and Inverurie are still open. Also worth noting that the Aberdeenshire Council Contact Centre will have extended operating hours from 5pm to 9pm tonight (Fri) on 03456 081205. pic.twitter.com/qdSDU1fozw
— AberdeenshireCouncil (@Aberdeenshire) November 18, 2022
Where can you get sandbags?
Aberdeenshire Council is urging residents in the worst affected areas to collect sandbags to protect their home from flooding.
Here is a list of the depots where sandbags can be picked up with supply limited to 20 bags per person:
- Alford roads depot, AB33 8NW
- Banchory roads depot, North Deeside Road, AB31 5YR
- Ellon roads depot, Hospital Road, ELLON, AB41 9AW
- Fraserburgh, West Shore Industrial Estate, Anderson Place, AB43 9LG
- Inverurie, Unit 15, Harlaw Way, Harlaw Industrial Estate, AB51 4SG
- Macduff roads depot, Old Gamrie Road, AB44 1AB
- Stonehaven, Spurryhillock depot, Spurryhillock Industrial Estate, Kirkton Road, AB39 2NQ
- Strichen council depot, Strichen, Fraserburgh, AB43 6RB
- Turriff Markethill depot, Markethill Road, AB53 4AG
Kintore URGENTLY needs SANDBAGS. Please email info@kintorecommunitycouncil.co.uk if you can help in this severe flood warning. The peak is expected at 22:30.#kintore #aberdeenshire #kintorecommunitycouncil #KDCC #weather #flooding #floods #sandbag
— Kintore (@Kintore) November 18, 2022
For the latest information on all disruption caused by the rain, click here.
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