by Joe Jeffrey
30ft waves predicted as the effects of Storm Frank continue
The effects of Storm Frank continue to cause devastation to those in the North-east for the new year, including one caravan park which has been encroached in an unprecedented amount of floodwater.
Picturesque Ballater Caravan Park, in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, has continued to suffer following on from last week’s flooding, with a deluge of caravan and holiday home wreckage being swept away to nearby towns.
Meanwhile, residents are continuing to scramble to salvage what is left of their possessions, whilst preparing for more flood misery, after forecasters have warned the adverse weather is expected to continue into the day with coastal regions expected to be battered by 30ft offshore waves.
One local resident, Gordon Croll, told local Aberdeen publication, The Press and Journal, how, upon helping his son move, he “lost everything” when flood water swept into his home, close to Ballater Caravan Park, which was littered with the wreckage of holiday homes.
He said: “It was 5ft up the walls inside so they lost everything, they’re staying with my mother so they’re homeless really.
“It’s quite worrying when you see everyone putting up the sandbags, it gives you an uneasy feeling because with the rain that’s forecast, the river’s going to rise again – we’re just trying to get anything that’s still salvageable, because it might not be next time.”
Phone lines are currently down across the region, and BT and the British Red Cross have been drafted in to provide a temporary phone service for residents in both villages.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has 27 flood warnings in place across the country, and four flood alerts, including one for Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen City.
Our thoughts are with those affected by the floods at this time.
