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Rain causes roads and homes chaos Rain causes roads and homes chaos
(30 minutes later)
Heavy rain has flooded homes and brought disruption to roads in areas across the north and east of Scotland.Heavy rain has flooded homes and brought disruption to roads in areas across the north and east of Scotland.
More than 500 homes in Moray were evacuated in what the local authority described as a major incident.More than 500 homes in Moray were evacuated in what the local authority described as a major incident.
Aberdeen had its wettest September day since records began in 1943, with a month's average rainfall dropping in the 24 hours until 0900 BST.Aberdeen had its wettest September day since records began in 1943, with a month's average rainfall dropping in the 24 hours until 0900 BST.
Environment protection agency Sepa said river levels in affected areas appeared to have peaked.Environment protection agency Sepa said river levels in affected areas appeared to have peaked.
It said the outlook for the next 48 hours was an improving situation, with no significant rainfall expected.It said the outlook for the next 48 hours was an improving situation, with no significant rainfall expected.
Heavy rain overnight and through the morning caused road closures across Grampian, Tayside, Fife, Perth and Kinross, while East Coast Mainline trains were disrupted.Heavy rain overnight and through the morning caused road closures across Grampian, Tayside, Fife, Perth and Kinross, while East Coast Mainline trains were disrupted.
Aberdeen city centre was badly affected [Pic: Mark McHardy]Aberdeen city centre was badly affected [Pic: Mark McHardy]
Emergency services in Moray monitored water levels throughout Thursday night.Emergency services in Moray monitored water levels throughout Thursday night.
They took the decision to evacuate 40 homes in Fochabers at about 0200 BST after 20 suffered flooding.They took the decision to evacuate 40 homes in Fochabers at about 0200 BST after 20 suffered flooding.
Two bridges were also swept away by flood waters.Two bridges were also swept away by flood waters.
Houses were also flooded in Rothes.Houses were also flooded in Rothes.
Local resident Ian Gordon told BBC Radio Scotland: "The flood water is in my home and it is in maybe 15 or 20 homes in my immediate area. Some houses are quite bad, water was maybe 2ft up the doors of some of the houses.Local resident Ian Gordon told BBC Radio Scotland: "The flood water is in my home and it is in maybe 15 or 20 homes in my immediate area. Some houses are quite bad, water was maybe 2ft up the doors of some of the houses.
"We're absolutely not happy. We were flooded here 12 years ago, the same bridge, same problem, and we were promised that it would be replaced with a steel bridge or a single arch bridge, concrete or whatever, and nothing has been done.""We're absolutely not happy. We were flooded here 12 years ago, the same bridge, same problem, and we were promised that it would be replaced with a steel bridge or a single arch bridge, concrete or whatever, and nothing has been done."
Anne Innes was at her mother's house in Elgin when flood warnings were received in the early hours of the morning.Anne Innes was at her mother's house in Elgin when flood warnings were received in the early hours of the morning.
She said: "It's been flooded twice before and my mother spent several months out of the house. The authorities have reacted better this time because we actually got a flood warning at 2am, then another one at 4am.She said: "It's been flooded twice before and my mother spent several months out of the house. The authorities have reacted better this time because we actually got a flood warning at 2am, then another one at 4am.
"The last time it happened she lost possessions because there were no flood warnings."The last time it happened she lost possessions because there were no flood warnings.
This is an anxious time for families and communities, both for those already directly affected by the floods and for those who may be in danger of being affected Richard LochheadEnvironment secretary In pictures: Rain chaosThis is an anxious time for families and communities, both for those already directly affected by the floods and for those who may be in danger of being affected Richard LochheadEnvironment secretary In pictures: Rain chaos
"We'll just have to hope it doesn't get as bad as it was the last time.""We'll just have to hope it doesn't get as bad as it was the last time."
In Elgin, people were moved out of their homes as water levels rose on the River Lossie.In Elgin, people were moved out of their homes as water levels rose on the River Lossie.
A rest centre opened at Elgin High School for evacuated households.A rest centre opened at Elgin High School for evacuated households.
Moray Council estimated that up to 560 homes in the town could be affected.Moray Council estimated that up to 560 homes in the town could be affected.
Sepa said upstream water levels on the Lossie had peaked by mid-afternoon and it expected them to continue to drop slowly.Sepa said upstream water levels on the Lossie had peaked by mid-afternoon and it expected them to continue to drop slowly.
About 76.4mm of rain fell in Lossiemouth in the 24-hour period to 0900 BST. The town's monthly average is 61.8mm.About 76.4mm of rain fell in Lossiemouth in the 24-hour period to 0900 BST. The town's monthly average is 61.8mm.
Just over 67mm of rain fell in the Aberdeen city area in the same period. Its monthly average is 68mm.Just over 67mm of rain fell in the Aberdeen city area in the same period. Its monthly average is 68mm.
Some cars on roads in Aberdeen city centre and the Dyce area were submerged.Some cars on roads in Aberdeen city centre and the Dyce area were submerged.
Rivers in the area were at record high levels.Rivers in the area were at record high levels.
The Grange - a tributary of the Deveron - recorded a level of 3.651m.The Grange - a tributary of the Deveron - recorded a level of 3.651m.
In Edinburgh, the river at Haddington peaked just below the critical flooding level, although there have been reports of basements flooding.In Edinburgh, the river at Haddington peaked just below the critical flooding level, although there have been reports of basements flooding.
The lowland Angus area and Dundee appear to have been worst affected in the Tayside area, with reports of flooding problems in Invergowrie, Dundee, Carnoustie and Arbroath. In Tayside, parts of the villages of Letham and Bridgefoot in Angus were badly affected, with several properties flooded with water a foot deep in places.
Dundee had the highest water levels since records began on the Dighty Water at Balmossie. At Bridgefoot, police officers rescued a mother and her three children, aged five and under, after her car became stuck in water shortly after 0900 BST.
Environment secretary and Moray MSP Richard Lochhead said: "This is an anxious time for families and communities, both for those already directly affected by the floods and for those who may be in danger of being affected as the situation progresses.Environment secretary and Moray MSP Richard Lochhead said: "This is an anxious time for families and communities, both for those already directly affected by the floods and for those who may be in danger of being affected as the situation progresses.
"Council and emergency services personnel have been working flat out to protect families and communities and hundreds of people have been evacuated, mainly on a precautionary basis."Council and emergency services personnel have been working flat out to protect families and communities and hundreds of people have been evacuated, mainly on a precautionary basis.
"I have spoken to both the chief executive of Moray Council and Grampian Police and it is clear that the emergency arrangements in hand are working.""I have spoken to both the chief executive of Moray Council and Grampian Police and it is clear that the emergency arrangements in hand are working."
The weather forced the cancellation of the launch of Dundee's two-week food and drink festival, which was due to have been opened by Mr Lochhead and celebrity chef Nick Nairn. However, organisers said the festival would go ahead at the weekend as planned.The weather forced the cancellation of the launch of Dundee's two-week food and drink festival, which was due to have been opened by Mr Lochhead and celebrity chef Nick Nairn. However, organisers said the festival would go ahead at the weekend as planned.