Major incident declared in Hawick as rising flood water puts 500 properties at risk

A major incident has been declared in Hawick amid fears the River Teviot is set to burst its banks.

Around 500 homes and business are at risk of flooding, according to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.

Police have called in the help of the Borders Water Rescue Team, mountain rescue and fire crews to help evacuate properties.

Local schoolchildren have already been sent home early and the Teviot Health Centre has closed as a precaution.

A rest centre has been set up at the nearby leisure centre to provide shelter to residents in the at-risk areas.

The river has risen dramatically in the last hour but it’s not yet spilled over onto neighbouring streets.

And the hope now will be that it can be contained.

But a yellow weather warning for more rain to come remains in force until 6pm tonight.

Significant damage possible

A Scottish Borders Council spokesperson said: "SEPA projections indicate that the Teviot in Hawick will peak above 3m at around 4pm this afternoon, which could result in significant damage to properties in at risk areas of the town and pose a risk to public safety.

"The indications from the Council’s flood team are that this would be a significant flood event with the potential for up to 500 properties being affected.

"Senior officers from across the multi-agency partners, including Scottish Borders Council, Police Scotland, NHS Borders and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, have taken the decision to declare a major incident in Hawick, which will be led by Police Scotland.

"Plans to evacuate residents and businesses likely to be affected are now being activated.

"The decision was be taken to close Trinity Primary School and Hawick High School and send pupils and staff home. Individual communications direct to parents have been issued.

"NHS Borders has taken the decision to close Teviot Health Centre and all services that operate within the Health Centre.

"The Council has reopened the rest centre at Teviotdale Leisure Centre at 2pm to provide assistance to those displaced by the risk of flooding."

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