DEVASTATING FLOODS wreaked millions of pounds worth of damage as they tore through communities at the end of last year.
Local authorities are still counting the cost after days of torrential rain and gale force winds ravaged the roads network and saw terrified householders rescued from their homes.
Aberdeenshire Council has estimated that infrastructure repairs could cost it in the region of £2 million, while Perth and Kinross will have to fork out around £300,000 to repair road damage alone.
Fife and Angus councils are still assessing the impact of some of the worst flooding seen in Scotland in living memory, but their repair bills are also expected to be hefty.
Homes, roads, bridges and other buildings were battered by the appalling weather just before Christmas, with Stonehaven one of the worst affected communities.
Residents in the coastal town were evacuated from their homes for the second time in two years, and at least £50,000 of damage was caused to Dunnottar School where eight feet of water cascaded into the basement and damaged the boiler.
Carpets, floors and walls in the school were also hit and repair work is ongoing.
A council spokeswoman said that to date, more than 100 separate issues caused by flooding had been identified.
Aberdeenshire Council’s head of roads and landscape services, Philip McKay, said: “The drainage catchment around Stonehaven is relatively complex and it is important that all the contributing factors to the recent floods are fully understood and accounted for in the flood protection scheme design.
“We are compiling all the information and ideas that are being submitted to us.
“This information will be passed to our hydrological consultants as we continue to review the recent flooding event.
“The multi-agency meeting on January 29 will provide an opportunity for feedback to the community and a question and answer session.”
The December deluge followed previous serious flooding incidents across eastern Scotland in October and November.
In Fife, around 30 homes were flooded and nine roads closed on one day at the height of the October storms.
The flooding had a particularly devastating impact in Dura Den where people had to be rescued and some were trapped inside.
The Ceres Burn overflowed and washed away large sections of road through the hamlet, and Fife Council predicts it will take more than a year to reinstate the route.
The Q34 near Upper Largo also remains closed and considerable damage has been caused to the region’s roads network, with over 4,200 potholes caused by flooding already filled.
Meanwhile, a £1m flood defence scheme to protect residents in Comrie has been accelerated by Perth and Kinross Council after 150 people were evacuated when the Water of Ruchill burst its banks for the third time at the end of November.
The river had previously flooded at the beginning of the month, as well as in August.
Properties in Coupar Angus, Scone and Meigle were also hit by water and 12 roads were closed as a result of high river levels or water run-off from saturated ground.
Significant problems were also experienced in Angus, where the council said several tens of thousands of pounds of damage was caused, including potholes and damage to drains.
Although the rains have stopped and the water has receded, all four councils continue to be involved in supporting those coping with the aftermath.
It has been stressed however, that the responsibility for protecting individual properties rests with the owners.
The Scottish Government has also been asked for financial help to assist with the unforseen costs.
A multi-agency meeting is being held in Stonehaven next week to discuss flooding issues with residents and businesses.
cwarrender@thecourier.co.uk