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After Storm Frank, Scotland rallies to fix itself amid the chaos After Storm Frank, Scotland rallies to fix itself amid the chaos
(35 minutes later)
The red roller doors of Ballater fire station are splayed apart like a broken umbrella, the metal buckled by tonnes of flood water from the river Dee. On New Year’s Day, members of the stricken community on Royal Deeside appeared dazed at the scale of the devastation wrought by Storm Frank, swapping stories of personal losses on street corners, amid fears that some residents may be unable to return to their waterlogged homes for up to a year.The red roller doors of Ballater fire station are splayed apart like a broken umbrella, the metal buckled by tonnes of flood water from the river Dee. On New Year’s Day, members of the stricken community on Royal Deeside appeared dazed at the scale of the devastation wrought by Storm Frank, swapping stories of personal losses on street corners, amid fears that some residents may be unable to return to their waterlogged homes for up to a year.
The volunteer-led clean-up operation in Scotland’s worst-affected areas of Dumfries and Aberdeenshire began early on New Year’s morning, as the Met Office upgraded weather warnings for north-east and central Scotland to amber over the weekend. Early on Friday morning, police confirmed that a man had died as a result of the heavy flooding after he fell from a canoe into a rapid-flowing river bringing the death toll as a result of Frank to two. The volunteer-led clean-up operation in Scotland’s worst-affected areas of Dumfries and Aberdeenshire began early on New Year’s morning, as the Met Office upgraded weather warnings for north-east and central Scotland to amber over the weekend. Early on Friday morning, police confirmed that a man had died as a result of the heavy flooding after he fell from a canoe into a rapid-flowing river bringing the storm’s death toll to two.
The 36-year-old fell into the river Garry in the Highlands on Thursday afternoon and was swept downstream before a Royal Navy helicopter was able to airlift him to Raigmore hospital in Inverness, where he died. Meanwhile, 14 flood warnings and more than 60 flood alerts remain in place across England and Wales, with embattled regions continuing to face high river levels, particularly the river Severn in parts of Shropshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire and the river Ouse near York. The 36-year-old fell into the river Garry in the Highlands on Thursday afternoon and was swept downstream before a Royal Navy helicopter was able to airlift him to Raigmore hospital in Inverness, where he died. Meanwhile, 14 flood warnings and more than 60 flood alerts remain in place across England and Wales, with embattled regions continuing to face high river levels, particularly the Severn in parts of Shropshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire and the Ouse near York.
The Environment Agency warned that there was potential for localised flooding in Devon and Cornwall for the next three days, and in south Wales on Sunday. The agency’s teams remain in affected areas to help to pump away flood water, repair damaged defences and clear river blockages.The Environment Agency warned that there was potential for localised flooding in Devon and Cornwall for the next three days, and in south Wales on Sunday. The agency’s teams remain in affected areas to help to pump away flood water, repair damaged defences and clear river blockages.
Related: Storm Frank: second man dies in ScotlandRelated: Storm Frank: second man dies in Scotland
With Scotland still reeling from the battering it received during Wednesday’s storms, steady and persistent rainfall is forecast to begin on Friday night and last for another three days, with Tayside, Angus and Aberdeenshire – where the ground is already saturated - at risk of further flooding. The Met Office also warned of gale or severe gale force south-easterly winds, which are likely to result in stormy seas and high waves along the east coast and in the Northern Isles. With Scotland still reeling from the battering it received during Wednesday’s storms, steady and persistent rainfall is forecast to begin on Friday night and last for another three days, with Tayside, Angus and Aberdeenshire – where the ground is already saturated – at risk of further flooding. The Met Office also warned of gale or severe gale-force south-easterly winds, which are likely to result in stormy seas and high waves along the east coast and in the Northern Isles.
In Ballater, the parish minister, the Rev David Barr, spent “Ne’er’s Day” organising door to door visits by volunteers to find out what help was needed. He explained: “I chanced my arm and went into the bar and said, ‘Listen boys I need volunteers’. I never got my sentence finished – there was about 30 folk came out and just started clearing it away.”
In Ballater, the parish minister, Rev David Barr, spent “Ne’er’s Day” organising door to door visits by volunteers to find out what help locals needed. He explained: “I chanced my arm and went into the bar and said, ‘Listen boys I need volunteers’. I never got my sentence finished – there was about 30 folk came out and just started clearing it away.”
On Hogmanay, Barr said that emotions ran high as evacuees shared a drink at the Victoria barracks, usually home to royal protection officers for nearby Balmoral, the Queen’s Highland residence, but now a makeshift rest centre and kitchen. “It’s trying to get that normality in this mist of chaos that they’ve got,” he said. “I got a bit emotional when I went down to the no-go area. It’s the personal things – the things that have been swept away as 6ft waves rolled down the street.”On Hogmanay, Barr said that emotions ran high as evacuees shared a drink at the Victoria barracks, usually home to royal protection officers for nearby Balmoral, the Queen’s Highland residence, but now a makeshift rest centre and kitchen. “It’s trying to get that normality in this mist of chaos that they’ve got,” he said. “I got a bit emotional when I went down to the no-go area. It’s the personal things – the things that have been swept away as 6ft waves rolled down the street.”
Around Ballater, local motorcycle clubs have joined the volunteering effort. A convoy carrying fresh food headed west on Thursday after being given clearance to drive through the Balmoral estate to reach communities cut off by road closures.Around Ballater, local motorcycle clubs have joined the volunteering effort. A convoy carrying fresh food headed west on Thursday after being given clearance to drive through the Balmoral estate to reach communities cut off by road closures.
Neil Henderson, owner of the Glenaden Hotel and Barrel Lounge was on the bar serving pints, New Year drams and bowls of hot soup. Two days earlier he had 10 tonnes of flood water pumped out of his cellar. He said: “The amount of water that came through here was phenomenal. I’ve lived in the village for 50 years and I’ve never seen anything like it. This is a tiny little place that thrives on community spirit. It’s unbelievable how people have just mucked in.” Neil Henderson, owner of the Glenaden hotel and Barrel Lounge was on the bar serving pints, New Year drams and bowls of hot soup. Two days earlier he had 10 tonnes of flood water pumped out of his cellar. He said: “The amount of water that came through here was phenomenal. I’ve lived in the village for 50 years and I’ve never seen anything like it. This is a tiny little place that thrives on community spirit. It’s unbelievable how people have just mucked in.”
Further south, volunteers worked alongside council and emergency service staff in the chilly but bright morning weather. In Dumfries, the recovery work focused on the Whitesands area by the river Nith, where one of the country’s two severe flood warnings was issued on Wednesday evening.Further south, volunteers worked alongside council and emergency service staff in the chilly but bright morning weather. In Dumfries, the recovery work focused 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 helped clear thick mud from a row of business premises. When the Nith overflowed on Wednesday, floodwaters rose several feet into shops and cafes along the riverside. Teams of council workers were removing branches and other debris from the riverbank, while volunteers helped clear thick mud from a row of business premises. When the Nith overflowed on Wednesday, flood waters rose several feet into shops and cafes along the riverside.
Kaseem Saleem said he had planned to open his newly renovated coffee shop three days ago, but delayed it because of the floods. On Friday he was stripping out £2,000 worth of new flooring that had been 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.” Kaseem Saleem said he had planned to open his newly renovated coffee shop three days ago but delayed it because of the floods. On Friday, he was stripping out £2,000 worth of new flooring that had been 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.”
As flood responders across the country prepare to deal with the impact of the new amber warning, the Scottish government’s environment minister Aileen McLeod thanked them, saying: “Local councils, emergency services and other responders have been working tirelessly over this festive period to minimise the impact on communities, ensure the safety of people and help local areas recover.” As flood responders across the country prepare to deal with the impact of the amber warning, the Scottish government’s environment minister, Aileen McLeod, thanked them, saying: “Local councils, emergency services and other responders have been working tirelessly over this festive period to minimise the impact on communities, ensure the safety of people and help local areas recover.”
McLeod visited Newton Stewart, in Dumfries and Galloway on Thursday, with the first minister, Nicola Sturgeon. Residents were the first in Scotland to be evacuated after the river Cree burst its banks on Wednesday morning, on Thursday. She insisted that the situation was being “closely monitored 24/7” by the Scottish government, and encouraged members of the public to monitor Sepa’s Floodline website for the latest flood information. McLeod visited Newton Stewart, in Dumfries and Galloway, on Thursday, with the first minister, Nicola Sturgeon. Residents were the first in Scotland to be evacuated after the river Cree burst its banks on Wednesday morning. She insisted that the situation was being “closely monitored 24/7” by the Scottish government, and encouraged members of the public to monitor Sepa’s Floodline website for the latest flood information.