Weather: Jedburgh street becomes raging torrent

This lorry jackknifed on the A9. Picture: Traffic Scotland

Properties in the High Street area of the town were flooded after the Skip Running Burn burst its banks on Saturday night. Fire crews from across the Borders were called to the town to pump water from affected properties and to distribute sandbags to protect flood threatened homes.

Scottish Borders Council opened its “emergency bunker” to co-ordinate the response to the deluge.

The damage was said to be less serious than that caused in August last year, when houses were evacuated and several families had to be rehoused after the burn burst its banks, flooding the town centre.

There are fears that more heavy rain forecast for today could boost river levels again in the Borders.

A spokesman for the Scottish Borders Council said yesterday that the Skip Running Burn overflowed at 5:45pm on Saturday, causing flooding to the centre of Jedburgh.

“A small number of domestic properties were flooded as well as an, as yet, unidentified number of business properties,” he said.

“Police and fire services, eight fire appliances, the incident support unit and a high volume pump, were quickly on the scene, while Scottish Borders Council resources were deployed shortly afterwards. The council’s emergency co-ordination centre was opened by 7pm.

“Council, police and fire staff assisted households and ensured anyone needing support received it.

“One resident had to leave his home and temporary accommodation is being provided for him.”

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) has issued a further flood alert for the Scottish Borders.

A spokesman said: “Further heavy rain is expected during Monday. Due to the recent heavy rainfall, river levels may rise again and there may be flooding to low-lying land and roads.”

A spokeswoman for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said that about 40 firefighters were called out to deal with the flooding in Jedburgh on Saturday night.

“The first call was received just before 6pm, after the Skip Running Burn in Jedburgh burst its banks after sudden heavy rain led to flash flooding,” she said.

“We had eight fire appliances attend the scene from Jedburgh, Kelso, Galashiels, Lauder, Coldstream, Selkirk, Dalkeith and Liberton. Firefighters used light portable pumps to clear water, and worked closely with Scottish Borders Council to remove debris washed in by the floodwater.

“We also provided reassurance to affected residents, distributed sandbags and prevented flood damage to properties where possible.”

Eight flood warnings remain in force for Scotland.

The Sepa spokesman said: “Loch levels are high. River levels in the Tay and Tummel are expected to remain high into Monday. There remains a risk of flooding to low-lying agricultural areas.”