This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-35203139

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to visit areas hit by floods First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to visit areas hit by floods
(35 minutes later)
The first minister is to visit parts of the south of Scotland hit by floods on Wednesday following Storm Frank.The first minister is to visit parts of the south of Scotland hit by floods on Wednesday following Storm Frank.
Nicola Sturgeon will see the damage caused in Newton Stewart and tweeted "thank those working 24/7 to respond".Nicola Sturgeon will see the damage caused in Newton Stewart and tweeted "thank those working 24/7 to respond".
More than 100 people spent the night in temporary accommodation after the storm caused major flooding and transport disruption across Scotland.More than 100 people spent the night in temporary accommodation after the storm caused major flooding and transport disruption across Scotland.
The body of a kayaker in his 50s has been found in the River Findhorn in Moray. He went missing on Wednesday.
Streets in Aberdeen and Brechin were among those evacuated late on Wednesday as river levels rose.Streets in Aberdeen and Brechin were among those evacuated late on Wednesday as river levels rose.
Deputy first minister John Swinney will be in Aberdeenshire later to see the difficulties being faced.Deputy first minister John Swinney will be in Aberdeenshire later to see the difficulties being faced.
In Ballater, about 200 properties were affected by floods.In Ballater, about 200 properties were affected by floods.
The A83 at the Rest and Be Thankful is now open via the Old Military Road following a landslide. Drivers had been forced to take a 50-mile diversion after 200-300 tonnes of debris crashed onto the road.The A83 at the Rest and Be Thankful is now open via the Old Military Road following a landslide. Drivers had been forced to take a 50-mile diversion after 200-300 tonnes of debris crashed onto the road.
Forecasters said more rain was due on Thursday but it would be far lighter.Forecasters said more rain was due on Thursday but it would be far lighter.
At the height of the storm, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency issued two severe flood warnings, for Whitesands in Dumfries and the Tweed in Peebles, which have now been lifted.At the height of the storm, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency issued two severe flood warnings, for Whitesands in Dumfries and the Tweed in Peebles, which have now been lifted.
More than 60 flood warnings remain in force and there is still major disruption on the road and rail networks.More than 60 flood warnings remain in force and there is still major disruption on the road and rail networks.
All First TransPennine Express train services from Carlisle to Glasgow and Edinburgh have been cancelled after a viaduct north of Carlisle was seriously damaged in the storm.All First TransPennine Express train services from Carlisle to Glasgow and Edinburgh have been cancelled after a viaduct north of Carlisle was seriously damaged in the storm.
Scottish Hydro said its engineers had restored electricity supplies to 49,000 customers since the start of the storm. Scottish Hydro engineers have restored electricity supplies to 49,000 customers since the start of the storm.
Some electricity poles were washed away by the torrents, and landslips have made some roads impassable. The company said more than 100 engineers and technical staff were working to restore supplies in Ballater.
Overnight, engineers restored electricity supply to properties where it was safe to do so, but 450 properties in Ballater remain without power. They have been replacing poles washed away in the floods and attempting to access substations which flooding had made inaccessible.
A further 221 properties in Perthshire and Tayside have no supplies. About 200 properties are still without power in Ballater itself, with another 250 off in the surrounding areas.
Engineers have also been monitoring flood protection on key substations. Supplies to a further 440 properties in Perthshire and Aberdeenshire have also been interrupted.
The Scottish government's emergency committee has been meeting regularly to help co-ordinate its response to the flooding crisis.The Scottish government's emergency committee has been meeting regularly to help co-ordinate its response to the flooding crisis.
Environment Minister Aileen McLeod told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme the government was making as much money available as it could for the clean-up and recovery.Environment Minister Aileen McLeod told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme the government was making as much money available as it could for the clean-up and recovery.
She said: "The deputy first minister has activated the Billing Scheme, which provides support to local authorities to assist with immediate and unforeseen costs of dealing with the latest flood damage.She said: "The deputy first minister has activated the Billing Scheme, which provides support to local authorities to assist with immediate and unforeseen costs of dealing with the latest flood damage.
"Obviously, we are committed to helping communities get back on their feet as quickly as possible."Obviously, we are committed to helping communities get back on their feet as quickly as possible.
"The deputy first minister also announced in his draft budget for 2016/17 an additional £4m for the local authorities that were hit by the storms and flooding earlier this year.""The deputy first minister also announced in his draft budget for 2016/17 an additional £4m for the local authorities that were hit by the storms and flooding earlier this year."
Sepa's duty hydrology manager Pascal Lardet said the impact of recent rainfall on river systems across the country had been "truly extraordinary", resulting in "record water levels".Sepa's duty hydrology manager Pascal Lardet said the impact of recent rainfall on river systems across the country had been "truly extraordinary", resulting in "record water levels".
He said: "We estimate it may be the highest river level on the Dee since 1928.He said: "We estimate it may be the highest river level on the Dee since 1928.
"It's the record on the Cree for water level in Newton Stewart, Dumfries and Galloway, since 1963.""It's the record on the Cree for water level in Newton Stewart, Dumfries and Galloway, since 1963."
Some flood warnings were lifted late on Wednesday but rising water levels in the north east, especially on the River Dee, forced more evacuations.Some flood warnings were lifted late on Wednesday but rising water levels in the north east, especially on the River Dee, forced more evacuations.
In Aberdeen, residents were forced to leave their homes in Riverside Drive.In Aberdeen, residents were forced to leave their homes in Riverside Drive.
Homes in River Street in Brechin were also evacuated.Homes in River Street in Brechin were also evacuated.
Drivers were shocked to see part of the A93 west of Ballater collapse into the water as they drove along it.Drivers were shocked to see part of the A93 west of Ballater collapse into the water as they drove along it.
More than 100 people spent the night at Victoria Barracks in Ballater after being evacuated from their homes.More than 100 people spent the night at Victoria Barracks in Ballater after being evacuated from their homes.
Millie Begg told BBC Scotland she was "relieved but shocked" to be carried into a police boat after officers had gone into her loft to retrieve her cat box.Millie Begg told BBC Scotland she was "relieved but shocked" to be carried into a police boat after officers had gone into her loft to retrieve her cat box.
Referring to the flood waters, she said: "I've never seen anything come so quickly. It was just a torrent."Referring to the flood waters, she said: "I've never seen anything come so quickly. It was just a torrent."
Aberdeenshire Council said many of those affected were able to stay with friends or relatives but about 100 were spending the night at the barracks.Aberdeenshire Council said many of those affected were able to stay with friends or relatives but about 100 were spending the night at the barracks.
In Aberdeen, the Norwood Hall hotel was used as rest centre for people forced from their homes.In Aberdeen, the Norwood Hall hotel was used as rest centre for people forced from their homes.
The Aberdeen coastguard rescue team said it had helped to evacuate a care home.The Aberdeen coastguard rescue team said it had helped to evacuate a care home.
Ch Insp Richard Craig, of Police Scotland, said: "We would like to remind the public to avoid affected areas and to obey road closure signs. The roads are closed for a good reason and failure to obey these closures put you and emergency services at unnecessary risk.Ch Insp Richard Craig, of Police Scotland, said: "We would like to remind the public to avoid affected areas and to obey road closure signs. The roads are closed for a good reason and failure to obey these closures put you and emergency services at unnecessary risk.
"Members of the public should also avoid walking in flood water, no matter how shallow, as many man-hole covers have lifted and the water may be contaminated."Members of the public should also avoid walking in flood water, no matter how shallow, as many man-hole covers have lifted and the water may be contaminated.
"Local authorities have sandbags available for residents whose properties are affected by flood water.""Local authorities have sandbags available for residents whose properties are affected by flood water."
Travel warningTravel warning
Emergency services responded to reports of a missing kayaker on the River Findhorn in Moray, however, no further update is available.
In the Borders, dozens of firefighters rescued 25 people from a Peebles nursing home on Wednesday.In the Borders, dozens of firefighters rescued 25 people from a Peebles nursing home on Wednesday.
Emergency services were called just after 15:00 to the home in Tweed Green on the banks of the Tweed, and the evacuation was competed at 00:16 on Thursday.Emergency services were called just after 15:00 to the home in Tweed Green on the banks of the Tweed, and the evacuation was competed at 00:16 on Thursday.
River levels were at their highest since 1994 and were expected to remain high into Thursday morning.River levels were at their highest since 1994 and were expected to remain high into Thursday morning.
Dumfriesshire MSP Elaine Murray said the clean-up work would really start when the water levels dropped.Dumfriesshire MSP Elaine Murray said the clean-up work would really start when the water levels dropped.
She said: "If people can lend a hand, with their rubber gloves on and their wellies on and their brush to help clean up, I think that would be much appreciated by the people who have been affectedShe said: "If people can lend a hand, with their rubber gloves on and their wellies on and their brush to help clean up, I think that would be much appreciated by the people who have been affected
Efforts were also due to be made to recover a Stagecoach bus which became stranded in deep water at Dailly in South Ayrshire.Efforts were also due to be made to recover a Stagecoach bus which became stranded in deep water at Dailly in South Ayrshire.
Twelve people, including two children, were rescued from the bus after it became stranded in flood water in Dailly, South Ayrshire.Twelve people, including two children, were rescued from the bus after it became stranded in flood water in Dailly, South Ayrshire.
Ten of the passengers were airlifted by a Royal Navy helicopter from the vehicle while a further two people were taken off the bus by boat.Ten of the passengers were airlifted by a Royal Navy helicopter from the vehicle while a further two people were taken off the bus by boat.
The four men, six women, a seven-year-old boy and a five-year-old girl were taken to a local community centre to be assessed by medical staff.The four men, six women, a seven-year-old boy and a five-year-old girl were taken to a local community centre to be assessed by medical staff.
Phyllis Young was on board the bus when it got into difficulty, and told BBC Scotland: "The water came in the bus, it came up and up and got to the windows and was just like big waves.Phyllis Young was on board the bus when it got into difficulty, and told BBC Scotland: "The water came in the bus, it came up and up and got to the windows and was just like big waves.
"You could see the current - it was very, very scary."You could see the current - it was very, very scary.
"We moved up to the back of the bus because the seats were higher. I actually sat on the ledge at the back. Some people were standing on the seat grab bars."We moved up to the back of the bus because the seats were higher. I actually sat on the ledge at the back. Some people were standing on the seat grab bars.
My feet and legs were in the water the whole time. The whole of the front lower section of the bus was completely covered with water."My feet and legs were in the water the whole time. The whole of the front lower section of the bus was completely covered with water."
A Stagecoach spokeswoman said the road was open to traffic at the time the bus was making the journey from Girvan to Ayr.A Stagecoach spokeswoman said the road was open to traffic at the time the bus was making the journey from Girvan to Ayr.