Drivers left stranded as west hit by heavy rain

Published on Saturday 4 July 2009 00:55

MOTORISTS were rescued from their stranded vehicles yesterday as flash-flooding hit the west coast.

The Met Office said Glasgow had taken a "direct hit" from a band of moderate rain during the mid-afternoon.

"It was a relatively extreme event," said a Met spokesman. "19.6mm of rain fell on Glasgow in an hour, and it's quite unusual to get that.

"It comes down to having lots of warm, moist air. It means there's a lot more energy and moisture to be removed. It's basically a summer thunderstorm."

The spokesman added that Tyndrum in the Trossachs also suffered heavy rain, experiencing rainfall of 14mm in one hour.

Meanwhile, in Clydebank, Strathclyde Fire Brigade had to rescue several people from the cars because of floodwaters.

Parts of Giffnock suffered flash flooding when a burn burst its banks, forcing the council to bring in sandbags.

The Met Office has predicted calmer weather today, with occasional mild showers and warm temperatures, though not the same humidity.