Residents rescued from flooded homes in Ballater

Hundreds of Ballater residents have been rescued from their homes as water levels reach dangerous levels.

Published 30th Dec 2015

Boats and helicopters have been issued to rescue people from their flooded homes in Ballater.

Meanwhile SEPA have this afternoon issued a fresh flood warning for the River Dee through Aberdeen.

"Levels on the River Dee are continuing to rise as a result of the heavy and persistent rainfall throughout Tuesday night and Wednesday. There is a risk of flooding to industrial and commercial properties and infrastructure in the Garthdee area. Riverside Drive may also be inundated. For information, high tide is at 16:30 this afternoon."

The area highlighted in red indicates the target area that SEPA have issued a flood warning for.

Storm Frank has brought winds up to 70 miles per hour and heavy rain - causing the River Dee, and affecting local homes and businesses in Ballater and Braemar.

The worst affected areas in Ballater are Dee Street, the High Street, Anderson Road, Deebank Road and Albert Road. A number of areas in Braemar are also badly affected.

Aberdeenshire Council have set up rest centres in Victoria Barracks and Aboyne Academy.

The police, fire service, coastguard, and Braemar Mountain Rescue are all assisting with rescue efforts.

Invercauld caravan park in Braemar was evacuated this morning as flood waters surged. Graeme Miller posted this video to Facebook of the flood waters carrying a caravan downstream.

(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_GB/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.3"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk')); > > > > Posted by [Graeme Miller on Wednesday, 30 December 2015

Video by Graeme Miller on Facebook.

2,3000 homes are also without power in the North East, according to SSE. They aim to have it restored by the end of the day.

The A93 between Cambus O' May, Ballater and Braemar is closed as well as between Banchory and Aboyne. Police are urging motorists to not drive in the Deeside area unless necessary.

The Dee Bridge at Ballater, linking the A93 North Deeside Road and B976 South Deeside Road is closed, as is the Pass of Ballater. Additionally the A937 at Marykirk is closed. A number of local roads are affected by standing water and debris and road users are advised to travel with extra caution.

Follow @northsoundnews on Twitter for updates throughout the afternoon.