An Inverness supermarket has reopened to customers less than 24 hours after sustaining damage to the roof amidst heavy rain.
Tesco at Inshes Retail Park was evacuated on Sunday after the intensity of a heavy downpour caused significant damage and flooding.
Customers captured falling roof tiles on the newly finished Tesco homeware section in a series of videos posted on social media.
The torrential downpour, which lasted for only an hour, arose after days of warm dry weather.
Due to the rain’s intensity, several retail spaces, including Tesco and Vue Cinema at the nearby Business Park were damaged.
Making plans for this evening?
Or just facing the evening commute?
There are some heavy, thundery showers around, so take care ⛈️ pic.twitter.com/t7UD0BxFvB
— Met Office (@metoffice) August 15, 2022
Patrons of Vue Cinema took to social media to show the huge pool of rainwater gathering in the middle of the building’s foyer.
In social media posts, footage revealed the extent of the damage, including ruined homeware products, fallen roof tiles and flooded aisles.
Alongside heavy rain, flashes of lightning and claps of thunder could be seen and heard across the area, alarming customers and leading to an evacuation.
Staff in coordination with the fire service were able to evacuate the premises quickly.
Tesco Inshes was forced to close
The Met Office forecast thunderstorms across the Highlands, with a yellow warning issued and is still in place until 11pm on August 15.
The store was temporarily closed while the damage is assessed, with Tesco aiming to have the store reopen on Monday afternoon.
Officials have confirmed the Inshes store is back open for business.
Three other Tesco stores are located near Inverness including a large Tesco Extra located just 2.5 miles away at the Business Park.
A thunderstorm in Inverness has resulted in the cinema flooding this afternoon.
Good thing Titanic hasn’t been re-released yet, would be a bit too realistic. pic.twitter.com/fd6yVvcgoZ
— Met4Cast (@Met4CastUK) August 14, 2022
Vue Cinema in Inverness has also been forced to close after the rain started pouring into the foyer of the building, with some people likening it to a “water feature”.
It is understood the cinema will also be temporarily closed until the damage is assessed.
Matalan at the Inshes Retail Park avoided internal flooding with large puddles forming in the car park. It has remained open through the heavy rain.
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