Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Stuart Wilson

Flooding: East Ayrshire Council hands out more than 7000 sandbags to protect towns like Kilmarnock from water damage

More than 7000 sandbags were deployed by East Ayrshire Council in a battle to protect households from flooding last night.

The local authority revealed the extent of its effort to protect residents at the height of the bad weather.

A spokesman confirmed communities "across East Ayrshire" were supported, a major incident declared in Kilmarnock on Sunday afternoon.

Water levels were high in areas around the Kilmarnock Water and River Irvine, with both the Asda and Odeon cinema complex at Kilmarnock's Queen's Drive among those evacuated last night.

A council statement said: "Over 7000 sandbags were distributed in efforts to prevent water entering households.

"Pumps were deployed in many areas to reduce water levels.

"We worked closely with Scottish Power Energy Networks to protect primary electricity stations, but for a small number of commercial properties around the Queens Drive area, power supplies have been disrupted.

"Scottish Power remain on site to monitor the situation.

"East Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership supported vulnerable residents over the weekend and established a reception centre at Rosebank Resource Centre for any residents requiring assistance.

"Throughout the event we supported residents and minimised the effect on residential properties.

"We worked with partners to limit the impact on businesses in the Queens Drive area and carried out an early evacuation of shops and premises.

"Looking ahead, we have been advised that no rain is forecast.

"We can expect water levels to recede, but pumps and personnel will remain in place in the worst affected areas.

"Water levels have plateaued and SEPA will continue to monitor as they return to normal.

"Roads in the affected areas will remain closed until the water has receded and we can fully inspect the condition of the roads and bridges.

"Our teams will be on the ground facilitating the clean-up operation from early Monday morning and will continue to offer full support to affected residents and business owners.

"We thank the public for their positive feedback and support with these matters."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.