Floods force evacuation of Elgin homes

Council bosses are evacuating about 200 homes in Elgin as the level of the River Lossie continues to rise.

Residents in Chanonry Road, Pinefield Road, Lossie Cottages, Three Rivers Walk, Newmill Road and other streets most at risk are being helped from their properties amid fears the river may burst its banks.

Transport is being arranged to take residents to Elgin High School which will be used as a rest centre.

High tide was at 1.20pm – which could cause further flooding problems this afternoon.

There have been a series of road closures across the area this morning with multiple homes and businesses affected.

The small village of Dallas had a river of water flowing down its main street.

Moray Council is spending more than £80million on defences around Elgin in an effort to prevent a repeat of the devastating floods, which caused millions of pounds-worth of damage in July 1997 and again in November 2002.

The measures are due for completion early in 2015 and aim to protect 600 homes and 250 businesses.