Leader: 'It will take years for some of us to recover'

Cars were swept away by rising rapidly waters and homes and businesses were ruined after more than a week's worth of rain fell in just three hours.

These were frightening events for those caught up in them as some watched helplessly as water levels rose by several inches in a matter of minutes.

The Saab showroom in Morningside's Balcarres Street, where the floods wreaked damage which will cost an estimated 100,000 to repair, will not be the only one counting the cost.

It will take years for some people to recover while others will have lost possessions that can never be replaced.

As the clearing up begins, questions will be asked about whether the Capital's infrastructure is up to the job required of it today.

No-one can reasonably expect the city's drains to cope with every freak episode that the weather throws at it, but this is not the first time these neighbourhoods have been caught out in recent years.

For some, this is the second or third time they have been left to mop up their homes and wonder how long it might be before the flood waters return.

The increasingly erratic weather patterns of recent years will do nothing to reassure them that this is an event so rare it is unlikely to be repeated for decades to come.

Those affected have a right to expect that the city council and Scottish Water will take stock following yesterday's events.

They must examine whether the drains in Morningside, Colinton and Oxgangs are working effectively and whether any improvements are needed to protect local homes and businesses.

The least the community deserves is to have the facts laid before them, so that the battle can begin to secure funds for any necessary improvements, or at least residents can be warned that there is nothing they can do apart from take some simple precautions to protect their homes from the worst excesses of the Scottish weather.