Nicola Sturgeon has announced north-east communities affected by severe weather are to be helped by a £12million of new funding.
The cash includes a £1,500 grant for every household, business premises or charity directly affected by flood water, and a £5 million fund for councils to replace damaged infrastructure.
The First Minister unveiled the funding boost as she visited the flood-hit north-east.
The area has been battered by heavy rain, causing severe disruption to travel, the evacuation of homes in some parts of Aberdeenshire and two severe flood warnings for Inverurie and Kintore.
The First Minister also outlined her plan of support in a column for the P&J which can be read below.
Nicola Sturgeon
“Few can be in doubt about the scale of the recent flooding in communities across the north east – and my thoughts continue to be with all those affected.
“Our local responders, council employees, police and fire services have met the challenge of recent events with professionalism in very difficult circumstances – I offer my sincere thanks to all those involved.
“There is little question that their work and determination has saved homes and livelihoods – and potentially lives.
“As the waters recede and those who have been evacuated return to their homes, the focus turns to the clean-up.
“I am absolutely committed to supporting these efforts, and I will outline further assistance from the Scottish Government – on top of what has already been announced – when I meet those affected on my visit to the north east today.
“This support will help those communities across parts of Scotland who are working together to begin to restore some level of normality in their homes and businesses.
“Along with my ministerial colleagues, I have found huge value in personally meeting those affected around Scotland, and hearing first-hand about the impact on their lives.
“Their stories are very powerful – from residents who reluctantly left their homes and now face the dreaded process of dealing with insurance claims, to business owners worried about getting back to work.
“Across the north east, the challenge now is recovering from these floods.
“The community spirit that is a hallmark of many of the affected villages and towns, combined with national and local support, will help make that a reality.”