Storm Frank causes devastating flooding in Kemnay 07-08 January 2016

In late December 2015 into early January 2016, Storm Frank (and two subsequent periods of persistent rainfall) resulted in unprecedented rainfall across Aberdeenshire causing widespread and large scale flooding for multiple areas. A major incident was declared on 2 occasions requiring large scale multi-agency response and recovery efforts. Significant damage was caused creating long term and high cost infrastructure and community impacts.  It was the biggest disaster event Aberdeenshire Council has had to deal with. 

The worst affected areas in Kemnay were Milton Meadows, Kembhill Park, Alehousewells (including Alehousewells Primary School), and Fyfe Park / Stewart Crescent / Victoria Terrace. Damage was extensive with the result that many residents had to be evacuated with some not able to return home for many months whilst repairs were carried out. Kemnay Community Council produced the following table relating to specific aspects of the flooding

Kemnay Community Council Flood Report Dated 17/10/16
Flood Affected Properties 7/8th January 2016	Flooding Description
Street Name	Internal	Foundations	Garden	Drive	Garage	Outbuildings	Vehicles
Milton Meadows; Fetternear View, Milton Drive, Donview Gardens	6	18	27	25	12	10	3
Kembhill Park	28	29	40	9	1	33	11
Victoria Terrace estimate			1	1	1
Stuart Crescent estimate	2	2	3	3	2
Alehousewells estimate		1	1
Alehousewells Primary School estimate	1		1	1
TOTAL	37	50	73	39	16	43	14

The following information has been extracted from Kemnay Community Council Report dated 08/07/16

With regards to the extreme floods that occurred in Kemnay on 7-8 January 2016 as a result of Storm Frank and with reference to three different areas of Kemnay which were affected, namely, Milton Meadows, Kembhill Park, Alehousewells  (including Alehousewells Primary School), and Fyfe Park / Stewart Crescent / Victoria Terrace.  In each of the three aforementioned areas, the cause of flooding was distinctly different:

1  MILTON MEADOWS The main cause of flooding in Milton Meadows was attributed to surface water road gullies backing up as a result of River Don level rising above the outflow level of the road gullies.  In addition, the lack of regular maintenance to the gullies hindered the ability of the gullies to cope with the volume of water and its ability to remove the flood threat.  However, the level of River Don came close to a height that would have caused flooding to extend further and beyond the estate, thereby potentially causing a disaster of greater magnitude. 

2  KEMBHILL PARK Flooding occurred here due to the River Don initially flowing through a gap in the flood bund between the existing flood bund and the wire mesh boundary fence surrounding the Sewage Pumping Station.  A considerable number of houses experienced further flooding when toilets backed up and flooded the interior of the houses.  Further flooding occurred just north of Kembhill Park just beyond the flood bund where the River Don burst its banks and flooded onto the football pitch and continued south to flood a number of residential properties in Bremner Way as well as Alehousewells Primary School.  See Fig. 1 showing the approximate area of flooding.

Fig. 1

 

3  FYFE PARK / STEWART CRESCENT / VICTORIA TERRACE  The January 2016 flooding in these areas would appear to be related to inadequate sewer capacity in Victoria Terrace and some detail of the historical flooding events over the years.  The flooding problems at Victoria Terrace have been occurring since at least 1980 and it is acknowledged that the sewers in Victoria Terrace are inadequate.  The new housing development at Stuart Crescent has a Detention Basin to mitigate and delay discharge of surface water into the Victoria Terrace sewer but the detention pond was overwhelmed discharging into Fyfe Park and backing up into Stuart Crescent.

Fig.2

 

The extent of flooding in Kemnay is shown in a map prepared by Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA), shown in Fig.3 below

Fig.3

 

Photos of the flooding in Stuart Crescent during Storm Frank have been removed from this page and are only available on a separate password protected page.  This action was taken after a request from a resident in Stuart Crescent on the basis that they may have an adverse effect on property values and house sales in that location.  

 

Videos

Video compilation from photos / video taken by John MacNicol

STV News

Aerial Aberdeen video of Milton Meadows, Kembhill Park, Kemnay, Shakin Brig and Bridge at Kintore on 08 January 2016

Video by Pauline Paterson