UK flooding: Aberdeen homes evacuated as River Don bursts banks

Many homes in Aberdeenshire have been evacuated after River Don burst its banks following heavy rainfall across eastern Scotland. Since Storm Frank made landfall on 30 December, there has been persistent rainfall in the region and the Aberdeen council has warned of "an escalating emergency".

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) has issued two severe flood warnings across Inverurie and Kintore, which meant danger to life.

BBC reports that 40 residents were evacuated in Port Elphinstone, Inverurie, including people in their eighties. Some were taken to ambulances to keep warm while waiting for rescue boats.

Though rest centres have set up across the region, many are now inaccessible due to flood water. Rescue efforts were also being hampered by freezing temperatures and snow.

Officials have asked residents in Aberdeen's Grandholm to consider leaving their homes. The nearby towns of Inverurie and Kintore, where severe flood warnings are in place, have been struggling with flood waters.

"Please don't travel by car tonight. Folk are getting trapped in their cars in flooded areas. Check weather reports overnight and in the am," tweeted the north-east police who requested that people make only essential journeys.

Transportation has been disrupted with trains and flights being cancelled and roads closed across Tayside, Angus and Aberdeenshire. Aberdeen Airport has been urging the public to check for updates before starting out to board scheduled flights as unprecedented rainfall has damaged a portion of the tarmac on 7 January. More than 20 schools have been closed to some extent because of the weather, reports Sky News.

Officials have also asked residents who choose to remain at their homes to use bottled water as a precaution.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney has said the Scottish government's resilience committee is closely monitoring the situation. The Met office has already issued an amber warning for rain across eastern and northern parts of Scotland on 7 January.