Kemnay community praised for resilience during weekend of severe weather

By Ellie Milne

November 20 2022, 11:17 am

Flooding in Kemnay. Image: Paul Glendell/ DC Thomson.

An Aberdeenshire village has been praised for its resilience during a weekend of extreme weather.

Kemnay was among the five areas in the north-east placed at “severe” risk of flooding on Friday.

This was the first time severe weather warnings had been issued by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) since Storm Frank.

More than 40 homes in Kemnay were flooded during the 2015 storm so residents were on high alert in case of a similar event this weekend.

Properties in the Milton Meadows and Kembhill Park areas of the village were at the highest risk for flooding with residents taking action to protect their homes.

Around two months’ worth of rain caused the River Don to burst its banks which led to significant flooding near Kemnay Bridge and at the Fetternear Estate.

‘Astonishing’ efforts

MP Andrew Bowie and councillor Sam Payne in Kemnay . Image: Sam Payne.

Sam Payne, a councillor for West Garioch, and Andrews Bowie, MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, paid a visit to Kemnay to survey the land.

Mr Payne said: “The efforts of the community during this period of extreme weather have been astonishing. We’ve seen the community pull together and help each other out.

“Kemnay residents were providing information on the situation around the village, which as a councillor I could pass on to the council to inform their response.”

Mr Bowie added: “It is good to see the lines hold and Kembhill Park and the ground near Milton Meadows is draining well.”

Community working together

Flooding at Kemnay. Image: Paul Glendell/ DC Thomson.

A rest centre was set up at Kemnay Academy open to anyone who was unable to stay in their home due to flooding.

The community council was “central in the resilience of the community” working alongside Aberdeenshire Council to ensure sandbags were available and coordinating volunteers to distribute them.

Mr Payne added: “As sandbag supplies ran low, we saw members of the community travelling across the shire to locate more and ensure those who needed them got them.

“Once the flooding has passed, I will be working with council officers to ensure that when the next weather event comes, we are all prepared.”