A Perthshire woman whose family had to leave their village home after devastating floods have hit out at the police, claiming there was a lack of action by the force when the crisis occurred.
Claire Humphreys (38), of Tay Avenue, Comrie, said the ”response was poor” when the River Ruchill burst its banks on August 27, with torrents of water flowing into Camp Road, Barrack Road, Tay Place and Tay Avenue.
Two elderly residents had to be helped from their properties but the aftermath has left scores of villagers angry at what they claim were inadequate flood defence measures.
Members of Comrie Community Council feel so strongly about the situation they have written to Perth and Kinross Council, with the document claiming that if another flood happened in Comrie it would be a ”potentially lethal event”.
Mrs Humphreys said her family have now moved to a flat in Drummond Street, Comrie, due to the damage caused by the flood, and claims there was a lack of police presence that day.
”We will be in this flat for six months while everything in our house gets ripped up,” she said. ”The police did come but went away. They should have been there and certainly didn’t come to help at Tay Avenue.
”I wouldn’t like to think what might happen the next time, especially if it happened overnight, as many elderly people were having their tea when this flood took place and were unaware what was happening.”
Mrs Humphreys, who previously worked for 17 years as a senior charge nurse in an A&E department, continued: ”Basically no one walked the line of the water to see where it ended. It was a case of resident helping resident.
”However, I would like to praise the efforts of the emergency services that attended and worked very hard. I know of one couple who have been left homeless because of the flood. They are looking for accommodation for around six months.”
Mrs Humphreys feels there needs to be a policy of ”education” about the flooding in Comrie.
”There was a meeting on Tuesday with the community council and the local authority and another one will take place on Thursday, run by Comrie Community Council,” she said.
”We need to keep this matter going as the aftermath is horrible. My children, Tom (10) and Amy (8), are pleased we are living in this flat as our house in Tay Avenue is smelly due to the flood.
”I took them to look at the River Earn recently and told them that was the one I expected to burst its banks, not the River Ruchill.
”We didn’t have a flood action plan but we will now. Even things like clearing the drains can help matters.
”Everyone has a responsibility and that includes Perth and Kinross Council, Sepa (Scottish Environment Protection Agency), the emergency services and the community.”
A spokesman for Tayside Police said they were ”aware” of Mrs Humphreys’ concerns and are ”looking into the matter”.
Roseanna Cunningham, MSP for Perthshire South and Kinross-shire, praised Comrie residents.
”The extent of the flooding and the damage caused to property was shocking but I was hugely impressed by the way in which the local community came together helping each other out in such a selfless manner,” she said.
”Now, however, we need to take a good look at both the causes of, and responses to, the flooding and learn some lessons from the experience.”