Thurso flooding sees streets turn into rivers
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STREETS in Thurso quickly turned into rivers on Monday night as rainwater cascaded down into the centre of town, damaging a number of shops.
Images of the flooding, caused by a thunderstorm, emerged on social media with many people saying that they had never seen rain like it in the town before.
Local councillor Matthew Reiss, who had been driving home from Inverness, said: "The rain was so intense it would have been very difficult for any drains to cope with it. It really was exceptional and over a very small area."
He pointed out that the geography of Thurso meant that the rainwater flowed all the way from the high school down along Ormlie Road right into the centre of town.
Olrig Street and Traill Street were both closed briefly around 7.20pm while the fire service attempted to clear some of the surface water. The police assisted with the closures.
Councillor Reiss stated that he had spoken to Bear Scotland and explained the urgency of the situation. "They are sending a gully-emptying machine up," he said.
The machine was due to be in operation in Thurso on Tuesday afternoon and continue working into the evening.
"I am very pleased they have reacted quickly – it's commendable," Councillor Reiss said.
The fire service helped pump out some of the affected properties, including J A Mackay and McBeath's in Traill Street.
They are concerned as the forecast shows a risk of more heavy rain.
Among the other shops and businesses suffering damage were Serendipity, Bydand, Johnston's Bakery and Caithness Home Furnishers, as well as Harrold the butchers in High Street, where a chest freezer was ruined.
Pointing out that the shopkeepers want to have a meeting with Bear Scotland to discuss the flooding, Councillor Reiss said: "They recognise this has been a fairly long-term problem. They are concerned as the forecast shows a risk of more heavy rain."
Bear Scotland is responsible for the A9 which goes through Traill Street on its way out to Scrabster, with Highland Council responsible for the other areas flooded, including Campbell Street, Barrock Street, Princes Street and Janet Street.
Councillor Reiss added: "What struck me was how cheerful people were just getting on and dealing with the situation.
