Storm Desmond leaves homes and roads flooded in Scotland

hundreds evacuated in Dumfries and Galloway and the Borders at the height of the storm

Published 6th Dec 2015

A severe weather warning is still in place for much of Scotland as a clean up operation from Storm Desmond swung into action.

Homes and roads remain flooded as the weather warning was downgraded from a rare red warning in Dumfries and Galloway on Saturday.

Nearly 200mm of rain fell in Britain's wettest area Shap, in Cumbria.

The bad weather has abated in Hawick, in the Scottish Borders, after around 300 premises were evacuated but emergency services remain on standby.

More than 100mm of rain fell in the area throughout Friday and Saturday, according to Met Office figures.

Severe flood warnings remain in place in Hawick and Newcastleton from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa), which has also issued a further 75 less severe warnings.

A caravan park was evacuated in Aviemore, next to the River Spey, but all residents have been accounted for.

Tayside Fire and Rescue has had their water pumps in action to tackle flooding in the Bridge of Earn area.

There were multiple diversions on roads throughout Scotland and high wind warnings on most of the bridges.

Motorists travelling through northern Stirlingshire faced a 46 mile diversion due to flooding at Lochearnhead.

Homes close to the River Esk in Langholm were also evacuated on Saturday night as water breached the bank, while flooding has also been reported in some areas of Annandale and Eskdale including Wamphray, Cummertrees and Hoddom.

The River Tay in Perth was expected to reach its highest level for more than a decade and other rivers are at risk of bursting their banks.

Almost 20 properties in Blair Atholl were evacuated for a time on Saturday after the Garry Burn burst its banks but residents were allowed to return as the water level receded.