Kilmarnock residents were forced from their homes and left without power after a spate of flash flooding.
Neighbours rallied together, working around the clock to clear soaked furniture from the worst-hit properties.
Thirteen homes were evacuated following the heavy rainfall which caused flooding in Shortlees on Sunday night.
Residents of Caprington Avenue and neighbouring Loreny Drive were among the worst affected and seven streets were still without power on Monday afternoon.
Craig Kirkland, whose partner’s 94-year-old grandfather Tommy Biggar was left stranded in his home on Caprington Gardens, spent the day helping with the clear-up operation.
He told the Standard: “It was a nightmare. At about 6pm the water was at the steps to the house but we just watched as it got higher and higher.
“Cars were driving through the water, which forced it up into people’s houses. We tried to get sandbags to everyone but it wasn’t enough. It is nice that everyone was helping each other but it was a futile attempt.”
Craig, 44, and his partner Janice spent the day clearing the entire house, where water was waist-high.
Neighbour Fern Wales, 23, arrived home at 8pm to see the entire roundabout covered.
She and partner Stephen Dixon need alternative accommodation after their home was stripped bare by the water damage.
She said: “About 9pm the water started coming into the house.
“The sandbags we had didn’t help at all. By 10pm my house was totally flooded.
“The house has to be entirely stripped. Our landlord does not have any other properties so we have had to contact the council.
“We can stay at our parents for a week but it’s going to be months before we can go back.
“Our neighbours have been amazing.
“We have lived here for two years and never had a problem like this before.
“Thankfully, we got all of our belongings upstairs so they didn’t get ruined but you do just feel so put out. I did shed a tear.
“I have also come out in lots of big red bites on my legs, which I’m going to have to go to the doctor about.
“The water started off clear but as the night went on it got really murky and the smell was foul. There was definitely sewage in there.”
Residents were helped throughout the day by Shortlees Community Centre, who provided free tea and coffee.
Things began to improve once a water pump was installed at around 2am. Ditches and gullies were cleared and skips were provided.
Former Shortlees man Sandy Hillan has started a crowdfunder to help the residents worst affected. Sandy, who runs the Sandy Hillan Driving School, told the Standard: “A lot of people in the Shortlees area have very little and it’s so sad to see this happen to them.
“I owe so much to the people of Shortlees for supporting my business so raising the money is the least I could do for them.
“This community is full of lots of good folk so hopefully between us all we can help.”
The crowdfunder has so far raised £430 and can be found at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/alexander-hillan?utm_term=q2Er5qgGR
