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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.
Scotland Live: Keep up to date with all the latest on the flooding hereScotland Live: Keep up to date with all the latest on the flooding here
Police Scotland have declared a "major incident".Police Scotland have declared a "major incident".
Aberdeenshire Council said it faced an "escalating emergency response" and had a "very challenging night".Aberdeenshire Council said it faced an "escalating emergency response" and had a "very challenging night".
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.
An emergency rest centre became 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.An emergency rest centre became 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.
'Tremendous spirit''Tremendous spirit'
David Barrack runs a hotel in Inverurie which escaped the flooding and has offered free rooms to people affected.David Barrack runs a hotel in Inverurie which escaped the flooding and has offered free rooms to people affected.
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.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 the local hotel who was prepared to offer all and sundry a bed or a floor.He said: "We fortunately had name of the 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.""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."
During the evacuation, Ewan Murray from the Scottish Ambulance Service in Aberdeen, told BBC Scotland it was a complicated rescue operation.During the evacuation, Ewan Murray from the Scottish Ambulance Service in Aberdeen, told BBC Scotland it was a complicated rescue operation.
"We are trying to get everyone out and up to Inverurie Academy," he said. He said there were torrents of water running down the streets.
"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 then taken to one of the local hospitals or to Inverurie Academy."
Travel warningTravel warning
Ch Supt Campbell Thomson, divisional commander for the North East Division of Police Scotland, said: "A major incident was declared due to the severity of the warnings in place and the potential for serious impact on communities.Ch Supt Campbell Thomson, divisional commander for the North East Division of Police Scotland, said: "A major incident was declared due to the severity of the warnings in place and the potential for serious impact on communities.
"A number of roads throughout the region remain closed and I want to remind the public of the need to travel with extreme caution. With freezing temperatures expected, conditions will be hazardous and you should only travel if essential.""A number of roads throughout the region remain closed and I want to remind the public of the need to travel with extreme caution. With freezing temperatures expected, conditions will be hazardous and you should only travel if essential."
He added: "I want to acknowledge the tremendous efforts of emergency services and partners and indeed the community in the way they have responded to the prolonged adverse weather which is some of the worst conditions we have seen for many years."He added: "I want to acknowledge the tremendous efforts of emergency services and partners and indeed the community in the way they have responded to the prolonged adverse weather which is some of the worst conditions we have seen for many years."
ScotRail's Rob Shorthouse told BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme: "We're trying to get buses into the area to get people moving but there are real problems with the roads as well.
"We are doing everything we can but it's a very, very challenging morning.
"The advice is don't just turn up - get in touch with us before you set off this morning to find out what's going on."
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.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.
Richard Brown, head of hydrology for the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (Sepa), said water levels around the River Don were "pretty exceptional".Richard Brown, head of hydrology for the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (Sepa), said water levels around the River Don were "pretty exceptional".
He told BBC Scotland: "We have had a gauging station up at Alford for the last 42 years and it has exceeded anything we have ever recorded."He told BBC Scotland: "We have had a gauging station up at Alford for the last 42 years and it has exceeded anything we have ever recorded."
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.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:
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