Published on:
23
July 2012
Clackmannanshire experienced torrential unrelenting rain last Wednesday (18th July 2012).
Convenor of Clackmannanshire Council's Enterprise and Environment Committee, Councillor Donald Balsillie, led the praise for council and emergency services workers for their tireless efforts in preventing serious damage to properties and in keeping main routes open throughout.
He said: "I would like to roundly praise, thank and congratulate all the emergency services and council staff for their tremendous work on Wednesday, particularly all those involved at Sauchie, Tillicoultry, Coalsnaughton and Alva.
"From the reports I received, and my own personal observations, I am sure that prior preventative measures, intervention and actions of Council staff and the Fire Service prevented a large number of properties from being flooded."
Torrential rain had been forecast and Amber warnings had been issued by the Met Office.
Clackmannanshire Council officials carried out an early inspection of the River Devon and found the river to be very low.
However, many roads by 9.30am were showing signs of excessive surface water in the area of the A91 Tillicoultry, the A908 from Devonside to Fishcross and generally puddles were forming at roadsides.
Later on reports came in of flooding in Posthill, Sauchie and that the Marchglen Road was likely to close.
The Fire Service worked tirelessly for a number of hours to keep the flood waters in check, until the Council's Roads Service were able to divert a nearby culvert, which had an immediate effect As a result water levels in the Gartmorn area and Posthill began to drop within an hour.
Council Roads workers were also swiftly on the scene at Drummie Road, Tillicoultry, at the bottom of the brae leading from Coalsnaughton, when flooding was reported around 5.30pm.
Sandbags were issued to protect houses, while the fire service pumped away water with one house choosing to self evacuate to friends.
The A977 at Gartarry roundabout was closed for a period of time, and the B9140 was also closed briefly while a car stuck was retrieved from three feet of water.
Another potentially serious situation was averted by Council and emergency services workers about 6pm when a small burn on the face of Craigleith, Alva caused a considerable slip of debris.
The burn ,carrying a vast volume of water and debris crossed under Back Road, Alva and was pouring side ways onto two driveways and came close to the properties themselves, but Council and emergency services workers through their efforts and expertise were able to avert a crisis.
Councillor Balsillie, who was at the scene personally, said: "They showed how the flood prevention in the area, built by the Council, was actually working and that the gullys were indeed doing their job."
Three houses on Back Road, Alva were in danger of water and debris damage and were evacuated by the police and fire service as a precaution, but the swift action by both Council and the emergency services prevented further homes from being evacuated.
By 8.45pm the situation had been stabilised and while water was still pouring off the hill, there were no injuries and damage to properties was minimised.
Councillor Balsillie added: "I can only stress the hard work done by our Road teams today and the common sense approach taken that has alleviated the danger to persons and property."