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Storm Frank: second man dies in Scotland Storm Frank: second man dies in Scotland
(35 minutes later)
A second man has died as a result of heavy flooding in Scotland after he fell from a canoe into a rapid-flowing river.A second man has died as a result of heavy flooding in Scotland after he fell from a canoe into a rapid-flowing river.
Police confirmed the man died after being airlifted to hospital from the river Garry in the Highlands, as Storm Frank battered the region.Police confirmed the man died after being airlifted to hospital from the river Garry in the Highlands, as Storm Frank battered the region.
The 36-year-old fell into the river near Invergarry on Thursday afternoon and was swept downstream before a Royal Navy helicopter was able to airlift him to Raigmore hospital in Inverness.The 36-year-old fell into the river near Invergarry on Thursday afternoon and was swept downstream before a Royal Navy helicopter was able to airlift him to Raigmore hospital in Inverness.
An 18-year-old man who fell from the same canoe managed to get to shore, and has since been discharged from hospital.An 18-year-old man who fell from the same canoe managed to get to shore, and has since been discharged from hospital.
The death comes after Police Scotland recovered the body of a kayaker on Thursday. The man, believed to be in his 50s, had been missing since he got into difficulties on the Findhorn river near Inverness on Wednesday afternoon.The death comes after Police Scotland recovered the body of a kayaker on Thursday. The man, believed to be in his 50s, had been missing since he got into difficulties on the Findhorn river near Inverness on Wednesday afternoon.
Emergency services were called to an area known as Elephant Rock, having been alerted to a kayaker struggling to navigate the swollen river, but a coastguard search had to be called off as weather conditions worsened. Police recovered the man’s body from the river at 9am on Thursday.Emergency services were called to an area known as Elephant Rock, having been alerted to a kayaker struggling to navigate the swollen river, but a coastguard search had to be called off as weather conditions worsened. Police recovered the man’s body from the river at 9am on Thursday.
Five flood warnings remained in place across Scotland on Friday morning, down from nearly 100 on Wednesday evening. Scotland bore the brunt of the latest deluge with homes in the worst-affected areas in Dumfries and Galloway and Aberdeenshire evacuated and hundreds of people left without power.Five flood warnings remained in place across Scotland on Friday morning, down from nearly 100 on Wednesday evening. Scotland bore the brunt of the latest deluge with homes in the worst-affected areas in Dumfries and Galloway and Aberdeenshire evacuated and hundreds of people left without power.
The clean-up began in earnest across Scotland on New Year’s Day, with volunteers working alongside council and emergency service staff in chilly but bright weather.The clean-up began in earnest across Scotland on New Year’s Day, with volunteers working alongside council and emergency service staff in chilly but bright weather.
In Dumfries, the recovery work was focusing on the Whitesands area by the river Nith, where one of the country’s two severe flood warnings was issued on Wednesday evening.In Dumfries, the recovery work was focusing on the Whitesands area by the river Nith, where one of the country’s two severe flood warnings was issued on Wednesday evening.
Teams of council workers were removing branches and other debris from the riverbank, while volunteers were helping to clear thick mud from a row of business premises across the carpark. When the Nith overflowed on Wednesday, flood waters rose up several feet into the shops and cafes along the promenade.Teams of council workers were removing branches and other debris from the riverbank, while volunteers were helping to clear thick mud from a row of business premises across the carpark. When the Nith overflowed on Wednesday, flood waters rose up several feet into the shops and cafes along the promenade.
Kaseem Saleem said he had planned to open his newly renovated coffee shop three days ago, but delayed it because of the floods. On Saturday morning he was stripping out £2,000 worth of new flooring, now ruined.Kaseem Saleem said he had planned to open his newly renovated coffee shop three days ago, but delayed it because of the floods. On Saturday morning he was stripping out £2,000 worth of new flooring, now ruined.
“It’s sad, but I’m happy at the same time because people have been so good and helpful,” he said. “It would have taken me weeks to clear this all on my own. My spirits have really been lifted.”“It’s sad, but I’m happy at the same time because people have been so good and helpful,” he said. “It would have taken me weeks to clear this all on my own. My spirits have really been lifted.”
Robertson Wellen, who runs a nearby guesthouse, was one of those helping Saleem, moving chairs and fridges from the cafe on to the street before clearing the floor of river mud.Robertson Wellen, who runs a nearby guesthouse, was one of those helping Saleem, moving chairs and fridges from the cafe on to the street before clearing the floor of river mud.
Wellen, who read about the clean-up operation in a Facebook post by his local MSP, said: “So many people have come down to help this morning. Life deals you these things sometimes, but there’s a pretty positive attitude.”Wellen, who read about the clean-up operation in a Facebook post by his local MSP, said: “So many people have come down to help this morning. Life deals you these things sometimes, but there’s a pretty positive attitude.”
In Ballater, Aberdeenshire, some locals have been warned that they may not be able to return home for months after tonnes of flood water caused extensive damage to riverside properties.
More than 100 people were evacuated to Victoria barracks on Wednesday when the River Dee was reaching its highest point.
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall made a “spur of the moment” visit on Thursday afternoon to the barracks, which usually houses Royal Protection officers for Balmoral Castle, the Queen’s summer residence.
Although power has now been restored and safety checks have been completed, some homes are simply too damp for locals to return to, and the council is currently finding temporary accommodation for a number of families. Until then, the barracks will continue to operate as a temporary kitchen and rest centre.
An amber severe weather warning for #rain has been issued: https://t.co/TmvTfmDfrK. Stay #weatheraware @metofficeuk pic.twitter.com/VmNUG2882K
The Met Office has this afternoon upgraded warnings of rain for north east and central Scotland, some of the areas worst hit by the storm, to amber “be prepared” over the weekend.
The amber alert covers Grampian, Tayside, central Scotland and Fife from noon on Saturday until 3pm on Monday.
Issuing the alert, the Met Office said the rain over the weekend was “not expected to be as intense as recently”, but warned that some areas could see up to 200 mm by Monday afternoon.
It added: “Given the saturated nature of the ground there is a greater risk of surface water and river flooding that might normally be expected. Be prepared for the likelihood of both surface and river flooding, as well as some local disruption to transport.”