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Scotland flooding: Homes evacuated and travel disrupted Scotland flooding: Homes evacuated and travel disrupted
(35 minutes later)
Homes in Aberdeenshire have been evacuated after the River Don burst its banks, amid heavy rain across eastern Scotland.Homes in Aberdeenshire have been evacuated after the River Don burst its banks, amid heavy rain across eastern Scotland.
Residents, including elderly people and babies, were moved from properties in Inverurie as some water levels reached record highs.Residents, including elderly people and babies, were moved from properties in Inverurie as some water levels reached record highs.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) issued two severe flood warnings, meaning danger to life.The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) issued two severe flood warnings, meaning danger to life.
The rail line between Aberdeen and Dundee has been closed due to flooding.The rail line between Aberdeen and Dundee has been closed due to flooding.
Services to and from the central belt are starting and terminating at Dundee. Scotland Live: Keep up to date with all the latest on the flooding here
ScotRail said it could not offer alternative travel between Aberdeen and Dundee due to the road conditions. Aberdeenshire Council said it faced an "escalating emergency response" and had a "very challenging night".
At Aberdeen International Airport an assessment is currently being made of a runway repair before it can reopen to larger aircraft. A spokeswoman for the airport said 20 people spent the night in the terminal building.
Aberdeenshire Council said it faced an "escalating emergency response".
Some 38 properties in Port Elphinstone, near Inverurie, were evacuated, while a further 18 homes were evacuated in Ellon as the River Ythan also threatened to overflow.
BBC correspondent Kevin Keane said residents in their 80s were among those evacuated in Port Elphinstone.BBC correspondent Kevin Keane said residents in their 80s were among those evacuated in Port Elphinstone.
He said some had been led to ambulances to keep warm while waiting for rescue boats, as "dozens" of homes flooded.He said some had been led to ambulances to keep warm while waiting for rescue boats, as "dozens" of homes flooded.
Our correspondent said an emergency rest centre had become inaccessible because of flood water, and rescue efforts were also hampered by freezing temperatures and snow. Our correspondent said an emergency rest centre had become inaccessible because of flood water, and rescue efforts were also hampered by freezing temperatures and snow. The area was also affected by a power cut.
The also was also affected by a power cut on Friday.
'Tremendous spirit''Tremendous spirit'
David Barrack runs a hotel in Inverurie which escaped the flooding and has offered free rooms to people affected and said they were making the most of it.David Barrack runs a hotel in Inverurie which escaped the flooding and has offered free rooms to people affected and said they were making the most of it.
He said: "We are full now and we've got people in the reception area and people in the lounge area.He said: "We are full now and we've got people in the reception area and people in the lounge area.
"The bar is busy so it's quite a social event actually. There's tremendous spirit.""The bar is busy so it's quite a social event actually. There's tremendous spirit."
Steve Russell was among those forced to leave their homes in Inverurie, where the river flooded streets just after midnight.
He said: "We fortunately had name of a local hotel who was prepared to offer all and sundry a bed or a floor.
"We spent the night there, sleeping in chairs or on the floor and we are now preparing to go back and see what we are going to be presented with in daylight."
Shelley Douglas, in Kintore, also told BBC Scotland the community spirit was strong.Shelley Douglas, in Kintore, also told BBC Scotland the community spirit was strong.
She said: "It just hasn't let up. It finally stopped raining a couple of hours ago but the community has pulled together.She said: "It just hasn't let up. It finally stopped raining a couple of hours ago but the community has pulled together.
"They have been absolutely amazing - getting sandbags and even using pillow cases as sandbags. Not just in Kintore, but from Kemnay and Inverurie and surrounding areas as well.""They have been absolutely amazing - getting sandbags and even using pillow cases as sandbags. Not just in Kintore, but from Kemnay and Inverurie and surrounding areas as well."
A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: "The Don has burst its banks in a number of places in Port Elphinstone and there has been localised flooding across the area. During the evacuation, Ewan Murray from the Scottish Ambulance Service in Aberdeen, told BBC Scotland it was a complicated rescue operation.
"Fire search and rescue lead on the evacuation with the coastguard assisting and police are on the scene." "Basically at the moment, we are evacuating Canal Place and other surrounding streets and trying to get everyone out and up to Inverurie Academy.
"There are torrents of water running down the streets and we are waiting on the fire service water rescue team to come and assist us.
"They will get boats to the people who are less mobile. They will be taken out by boat into ambulances and they will be taken either to one of the local hospitals or to Inverurie Academy."
Travel warningTravel warning
Flooding has led to major travel disruption in Aberdeen and the surrounding area, with trains and flights cancelled, and roads closed across Tayside, Angus and Aberdeenshire. North east police urged people to make only essential journeys, tweeting: "Please don't travel by car tonight. Folk are getting trapped in their cars in flooded areas."
Residents in Aberdeen's Grandholm area have been advised to consider leaving their homes, while the nearby towns of Inverurie and Kintore - where severe the flood warnings are in place - have been struggling with flood waters. On Thursday evening, larger aircraft were unable to take off from Aberdeen International Airport after damage to the runway, causing some flights to be diverted. The tarmac is believed to have bubbled up due to heavy rain.
North east police urged people to make only essential journeys, tweeting: "Please don't travel by car tonight. Folk are getting trapped in their cars in flooded areas. Check weather reports overnight and in the am."
Residents who have a private water supply have also been advised to drink bottled water.
An NHS Grampian statement said: "If a private well or spring has been covered by flood water, proceed with caution and contact Aberdeenshire Council for advice."
Richard Brown, head of hydrology for Sepa, said water levels around the River Don were "pretty exceptional".
"We have had a gauging station up at Alford for the last 42 years and it has exceeded anything we have ever recorded. So that water obviously has to work its way downstream," he said.
Meanwhile, more than 20 Aberdeenshire schools will be closed or partially closed on Friday due to the severe conditions.
On Thursday, Aberdeen Airport was closed after a hole appeared in the runway, causing some flights to be diverted. The hole is believed to have been caused by heavy rain.
Risk to lifeRisk to life
"Heavy and prolonged rain" is expected in the Grampian and Central, Tayside and Fife regions."Heavy and prolonged rain" is expected in the Grampian and Central, Tayside and Fife regions.
The Met Office has issued an amber warning for rain - meaning there is an increased likelihood of weather causing transport disruption and delays, as well as interruption to power and the potential risk to life and property.The Met Office has issued an amber warning for rain - meaning there is an increased likelihood of weather causing transport disruption and delays, as well as interruption to power and the potential risk to life and property.
Yellow rain warnings for rain are also in place for the Strathclyde, Highlands and Eilean Siar, and Dumfries, Galloway, Lothian and the Borders regions.Yellow rain warnings for rain are also in place for the Strathclyde, Highlands and Eilean Siar, and Dumfries, Galloway, Lothian and the Borders regions.
A yellow warning for snow and ice is also in place for much of Scotland, Northern Ireland, north-west and north-east England.A yellow warning for snow and ice is also in place for much of Scotland, Northern Ireland, north-west and north-east England.
Are you in the area? Are your affected by the floods? Please email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experiences.Are you in the area? Are your affected by the floods? Please email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experiences.
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