Perth was hit by what one shopkeeper described as a “mini tsunami” at the weekend, with flash flooding destroying homes and damaging businesses.
“Our fire crews worked intensively throughout this period to ensure the safety of the public and protect property as far as reasonably practicable.
“Similarly, our control room staff have done an excellent job, gathering information from the numerous callers, several of whom were understandably distressed.
“In these spate conditions, I’m grateful that many people provided their own sandbags and pumps to prevent water entering their homes and businesses.”
Gordon and Chris Kennedy, who run Perth News Ltd on West Bridge Street, Perth, said it was the worst flash flooding they had seen.
Mr Kennedy said, “It was like a mini tsunami. We were flooded up to the back of the shop but at least we are on higher ground here and managed to mop it up.
“There are two flats below us which are completely gutted. There was a lot of structural damage and I’d heard that a wall at the back of Cupcakes teashop in Gowrie Street collapsed and was washed away into the River Tay.
“Part of the problem may be that the drains may still be clogged with grit from the winter.”‘Tidal wave’Mrs Kennedy said, “There was water pouring down from Lochie Brae and Bowerswell Road, leaving a lot of debris. The situation was made worse by cars going past and pushing the water in it was like a tidal wave.
“We’ve managed to clear up, but the likes of Elena Costello, who runs a fabric shop in Main Street, Bridgend, had water up to her knees.”
Deborah Clatschak of Londis in Bridgend said, “This was the worst flash flooding I’ve ever witnessed. Most of the shops and businesses here have sandbags outside.”
Photographer Angus Findlay was on his way to a wedding on Saturday when the flash floods struck.
He described Gowrie Street turning in to a river before his eyes.
“It was horrendous,” he said. “There was water, debris and stones cascading down Bowerswell Road. The traffic heading along towards Scone and Coupar Angus was being stopped by the police.”
June Sands was driving past Wellshill Cemetery when she noticed one of its walls had collapsed.
“I couldn’t believe what was happening it was shocking,” she said. “The wall came down and damaged lots of gravestones.”
New Row was also suffered, with Willeens Hairdressers hit.
Hairdresser Eileen Davidson said, “This is the third time we have had floods. The water was pouring in when the flash floods struck.”
Perthshire North MSP John Swinney yesterday visited homes and businesses affected by flash flooding in the Perth, Scone and surrounding areas on Saturday.
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Mr Swinney said, “The unprecedented torrential rain on Saturday was a terrifying incident for many residents and businesses.
“I am very sorry for those whose houses and businesses have been affected by the flash flooding and have made clear my willingness to help out in resolving any of the difficulties they face.
“As the community undertakes the clear-up I think we need to assess if there are steps we can take to try to reduce the risks faced by individuals and communities.
“This has been a very alarming incident locally and highlights the severity of the impact on the weather in our community.”
A spokesman for Perth and Kinross Council said, “Following reports of weather-related damage to the wall and some graves of Wellshill Cemetery, near Feus Road, the council has made an initial inspection to ensure that any damage does not pose a danger and will consider what repair work needs to be carried out.”
Despite the torrential downpours which affected many parts of the country over the weekend, Fife appeared to escape the worst of any flooding incidents.
Many parts of the region were treated to thunder and lightning, heavy rain and hail, particularly on Saturday evening, and the area was also subject to flood alerts which were not lifted until 6pm yesterday evening.
The rain was also a hindrance for organisers of summer events, fairs and fetes across Fife who had chosen the middle weekend in July in the hope of good weather.
However, a spokesman for Fife Fire and Rescue Service said the only weather-related call they attended was a report of flash flooding at Mill Wynd in Falkland shortly before 9pm on Saturday. The water had receded by the time firefighters arrived.
Drivers were also urged by police to take care on the region’s roads as many routes were susceptible to surface water.
In Angus heavy rain put a damper on a number of outdoor events across the county over the weekend. However, while it got messy underfoot at field events including the Kirrie Show and Laurencekirk Gala, there were no real problems.
A spokeswoman for Tayside Fire and Rescue said their crews had not been called out to assist with flooding anywhere across Angus.
“It just seems to be Perth that’s been affected,” she said.
The heavens opened at around 12.30pm on Saturday and the two-hour downpour flooded properties and shops in the Bridgend area where two residents were evacuated.
Water poured down from Lochie Brae and Bowerswell Road, Bridgend, making Gowrie Street seem like a river.
The incessant rain also led to a 25-metre wall collapsing at the western end of Wellshill Cemetery, Perth, damaging some gravestones.
Tayside Fire and Rescue’s command and control room said they received in excess of 40 calls in just over two hours.
Initial calls were received from central shops, and these were followed by reports from several residents in the Feus Road, Crieff Road, Fairfield, Hillyland, Cherrybank, Letham, Bridgend and Gannochy areas.
Seven fire engines from Perth, Dundee, Coupar Angus and Blairgowrie, along with an environmental protection unit from Forfar that contains several smaller pumps, were deployed.
Fire crews assisted council staff with a large volume pump and Tayside Contracts staff worked to contain, divert and remove flood water using sandbags.
“Firefighters also assisted a number of motorists who were trapped in their cars which had stalled in the rising flood water at the bottom of Lochie Brae at its junction with Main Street, as rain swept down the hillside, flooding several roads.
“These flash flood conditions have presented a significant challenge to all the local responders that attended in what was a co-ordinated team approach.
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