Aberdeen Airport was flooded, houses were wrecked and cars submerged under water yesterday as torrential downpours hit the Granite City.
Roads flooded, businesses had to close and motorists abandoned their vehicles as just one hour of rain swamped the city around 3pm.
Holidaymakers arrived to find water up to their ankles in the airport terminal, while Monsoon at the Bon Accord Centre had to close as water seeped in.
The fire service said it received more than 40 calls in the space of just 90 minutes – all relating to the horrendous weather.
Firefighters even attended Aberdeen Royal Infirmary to deal with “severe flooding” in the basement area.
The crew pump the water away and diverted it from the building.
There was disruption to train services between Inverness and Aberdeen as heavy rain flooded lines, while buses were forced to divert from badly affected roads.
Police were out in force across the city as flash floods swamped road surfaces and drains struggled to cope with the deluge. In Ferryhill, cars almost disappeared as water levels rose in Polmuir Road and The Winter Gardens in Duthie Park had to close.
Numerous houses in the area were also flooded.
Meanwhile, Bridge of Don’s Jesmond Street cracked and collapsed under the downpour, and had to be sealed off by police to allow emergency repairs to be carried out.
Fire crews were also called to an incident on Holburn Street, where a man had become stranded in his vehicle.
The entire city centre and beach area were most affected during the deluge, bringing traffic to a complete standstill.
Traffic lights at the Victoria Road-South Esplanade junction also failed, causing further delays for the already gridlocked traffic.
Anderson Drive, Market Street, the Hardgate, Portree Avenue, Froghall Road and Golf Road were also badly hit, while the Maritime Museum at Shiprow had to close.
Animals being cared for at Mrs Murray’s Home for Stray Dogs and Cats in Aberdeen had to be moved from the Seaton site after rain poured inside the building.
Staff were forced to lead them away from the ground floor and into a “safe spot” as water levels rose inside the building.
Aberdeen City Council’s roads department delivered sandbags to homes and businesses, while staff were on call at the Tullos Road Depot throughout the night to hand out emergency sand supplies.
Local authority road safety teams were also dispatched across the city to check main roads and clear gullies.
However, they could not check for damage until the flooding had subsided.
Today, a major clean-up operation will begin for homes and businesses across the city as they count the cost of the damage caused.
Although the rain was expected to ease off through the night, council chiefs warned drivers to take care as they travel to work this morning.
“As the rain is more persistent than forecast, motorists on their way to work in the morning are advised to be aware there might still be problems with flooding and roads,” a spokeswoman said.
