Floods, sweat and fears

While water levels may have subsided, residents and businesses are just coming to terms with the aftermath of the latest bout of flooding to hammer the county.

Heavy rain began late last Wednesday and, after a huge downpour early on Saturday morning, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) issued flood warnings for much of Edinburgh and the Lothians.

The River Esk and the River Tyne both burst their banks with severe consequences for riverside venues such at the Waterloo Bistro in Haddington and 18th century Preston Mill in East Linton.

Massive clean-up operations were required, while last Saturday's annual Haddington Show had to be cancelled.

Paul Kinnoch, owner of the Waterloo Bistro, said the weekend's flooding was the worst yet to hit his business, as water levels rose three feet inside the restaurant.

He said: "We've had minor flooding before, but the kind we could mop up and clean up ourselves. It will have to be a full refurbishment [this time]. The [weather] has just been exceptional. We've not had it to the extent of the river bursting its banks before.

"There's a minimum that we can do - putting sand bags down wouldn't have even helped a small amount, with the level and the force of rain that was coming down.

"We are waiting on a loss adjuster coming round and then getting a rough idea from the main contractors about how long we will be closed.

"Obviously, it's taken its toll already from the weekend, we've had to cancel or advance bookings until we get some rough idea how long it's going to take."

Staff at the nearby Waterside Bistro arrived on Saturday morning to find the premises in flood water.

Vicky Cope, one of the owners, said: "We were expecting a big group of 70 German tourists but when we arrived to open up it was surrounded by water outside and around five inches inside. Thankfully we were able to call out staff, who arrived to help clear out the water with buckets and mop up. We stayed closed on Sunday but opened the next day.

"Being closed over the weekend probably cost us about �1,000 in business but there was no lasting damage."

Rising flood waters also hit the Peter Potter Gallery in Haddington, prompting director Arabella Harvey to call for better flood defences.

She said: "This last flood was the worst yet. The drains are the problem - clearing them seems to be down to the council but we only ever see any activity here during an actual flood which isn't too helpful.

"We only got a flood warning at 9.18am on Saturday morning, after we were already a foot deep in water. We did call the council's emergency line, and nobody answered. At one stage it just rang and rang for over 30 minutes. We're going to get together with the other businesses that get hit most years and raise the issue of better flood defences with East Lothian Council."

While East Lothian Council and volunteers assisted in the clean-up, she said that the downstairs gallery now needed repainted due to tidemarks and a lingering dank smell.

For the Preston Mill and Doocot, an 18th century National Trust site on the banks of the River Tyne at East Linton, the timing of Saturday's downpour could not have been worse as it flooded the attraction just months after it received a �30,000 facelift.

A spokesperson for the National Trust said: "Water was standing up to two feet in the visitor centre and four feet in the mill itself.

"We didn't call the fire service for help, as there would have been nothing they could have done. They are very kindly helping with the clean up operation and are helping the team hose out the property later this week.

"The property is now drying out and the good news is that the damage is limited. Most of the recent improvements are fine and it's only a clean up that is needed. We expect that it will cost around �2,000 to remedy. The property will be closed to the public for about a week."

Persistent rain is also causing major problems for the county's farming community.

Stuart McNicol, chair of the East Lothian branch of the National Farmers' Union Scotland, said: "Because crops and the soil are so wet, farmers haven't been able to spray pesticides. At the same time there has been a explosion in disease, due to the relatively mild temperature. This means there is a potential for a reduction in yield and quality, "Potato farmers haven't been able to get early potatoes out of the ground because the soil is so wet and turnip farmers are having to harvest their crops manually because conditions mean they can't use their machinery.

"Livestock farmers have also been unable to make silage and hay because the weather means it won't dry out.

"It is too early say at this point what the value of this will be but the next three to four weeks are quite a crucial period so it is becoming a major concern."

Over the weekend council staff enacted flood plans for Musselburgh and Haddington, laying sand bags and flood barriers along the River Esk to protect Musselburgh town centre and along the banks of the River Tyne.

Musselburgh councillor John McNeil said waters from the River Esk rose to within two feet of reaching roads, but council staff were able to protect nearby properties from damage through the use of sandbags.

On Saturday, East Lothian Council reported a 400 per cent increase in calls to its call centre, many from worried residents asking where they could get sandbags and flood barriers.

However, the council is warning the responsibility for flood-proofing homes lies first and foremost with residents themselves, saying: "It is their responsibility to ensure they have a supply of protective equipment including sandbags and flood barriers where appropriate. The council is unable to provide sandbags to the general public as resources are limited and must be used in line with our severe weather priorities."

This message was echoed by Councillor Norman Hampshire, cabinet member for environment, who said council staff had worked "flat out" to deal with the many problems.

He said: "While we have the utmost sympathy for people whose properties have been affected by these extreme weather conditions, I would stress that householders need to be prepared to help themselves and where possible help vulnerable neighbours too."

Billy Bussell, director of Strawberry Corner Garden Centre, Wallyford, said they had had resorted to making sandbags using potato sacks, to meet a sudden demand.

He explained: "We don't usually stock sandbags but we've put in an order and we're waiting on them coming in. I just hope they arrive before more rain hits.

On Saturday every second telephone call seemed to be from someone asking about sandbags. We do sell sand and started filling up potato sacks and bags but it wouldn't be as good at soaking up water as actual sand bags."

Surface water saw various roads closed on Saturday, including the Haddington to Gifford road at the Poldrate, the Ormiston to Tranent road and the Winton to Pencaitland road.

While all roads were re-opened on Saturday evening smaller roads around Morham, Stenton and Garvald and the Garvald to Whiteadder road remain passable with care.

With more rain forecast in the coming weeks residents are being urged to take precautions to protect their homes.

Advice on what to do in severe wet weather and a reminder that flood prevention equipment can be bought from DIY stores is available on the council website www.eastlothian.gov.uk and on SEPA's website www.sepa.org.uk.