Mop-up operation underway after homes flooded in Newtown St Boswells
Last updated 5th Dec 2023
A mop-up operation is getting underway in Newtown St Boswells this morning (Tuesday), after a number of homes were flooded overnight.
Dramatic images have emerged online of muddy water running off neighbouring fields into the new housing development at Sergeants Park, following a day of persistent rain and melting snow.
Video footage shows children's toys under water in one garden, while flooring was submerged inside.
Community councillor Fiona Macpherson told Greatest Hits Radio: "It's just been horrendous.
"We have called for sandbags but been told there were none available due to the flooding in Galashiels and Earlston as well.
"There are a few other bits, including the school playground at the bottom of the hill which have been flooded as well, but hopefully it will ease overnight."
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Residents were offered refuge in the village's community wing while emergency teams tried to stem the flow of water running down the street.
Fiona is praising local residents for their response. She added: "Water has run right off the field into some of the houses. Scottish Borders Council workers and the fire service have been and helped with the drainage issues tonight, but there will be a big clean-up for some of them in the morning.
"For anybody needing help, everybody's just come together and said: 'We're all here for each other'; tried to find sandbags, make sure everybody's safe, and anyone needing mops, carpets cleaners etc has them."
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Emergency teams were also called out to Galashiels after a tree blocked the mill lade - threatening to flood businesses in the town's Bank Street.
One resident said: "Thankfully the council guys got the forklift onto it and the chainsaws out, which immediately set the flow going the right way and averted disaster."
Click on the video below to view the scenes from Newtown...
Rail services between Berwick and Reston were also disrupted due to flooding on the East Coast Main Line between Edinburgh and Newcastle.
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We were alerted at 8.10pm on Monday to reports of flooding at Sergeants Park, Newtown St Boswells.
“Operations Control initially mobilised one appliance to the scene then requested further support for another appliance.
“Firefighters used sandbags and tools to divert the flood water from two affected properties.
“Crews left the scene after ensuring the area was made safe and there were no reported casualties.”
Scottish Borders Council revealed it supplied a number of sandbags to Newtown, but confirmed there's no sandbag store in the village.
Its staff helped clear a number of flood grilles after alarms were activated.
A spokesperson for the local authority said: "There are sandbag stores across the area which we supply (generally in the most at-risk areas in terms of river flooding). In many cases these are in sheds which we’ve supplied and which Resilient Community groups maintain.
"Community sandbag supplies are also available from fire stations.
"Property owners at risk of flooding can also access some subsidised flood protection products via the Council, for example floodgates and reusable sandbag type products."
And they added: "Where the flood risk is forecast then we can and do supply additional sandbag supplies to support communities."
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