Buchan Community Support Team Responds to Major Flooding in North-East Aberdeenshire
Following a period of intense rainfall combined with rapidly melting snow, the Buchan Community Support Team was mobilised to respond to a serious flooding incident in a rural area of north-east Aberdeenshire.
After more than four hours of continuous rain and snowmelt runoff, water levels rose rapidly and overwhelmed local drainage. By the time the first reports were received, one property was already under around three feet of water, with three neighbouring homes at immediate risk of flooding.
With the situation escalating, volunteers from across the Buchan Community Support Team were mobilised to assist. Our Team Leader arrived on scene and quickly assessed the situation, identifying the urgent need for sandbags to protect the remaining properties.
At the same time, our RSR Team Leader deployed three members – two from the RSR Team and one from our Community Support Team – to an Aberdeenshire Council roads depot to load a trailer with a full pallet of sandbags. These were then transported directly to the affected area.
Once all team members were on scene, our Group Leader took command. He carried out a full assessment of the risks and coordinated the team to ensure sandbags were placed in the most effective locations to divert and contain the floodwater.
During the operation, a local farmer offered invaluable assistance by bringing a large slurry pump trailer. Working together, we set up the pump and ran approximately 150 metres of hose to a suitable discharge point further down the road, ensuring that water could be safely pumped away without affecting other properties.
The pump was capable of moving around 100,000 litres of water per hour, and for several hours the team worked continuously to reduce the water level. Although the first property had already suffered severe flooding and could not be saved, our efforts successfully prevented any water entering the other three homes.
As the rain and snowmelt continued, we eventually reached a point where it was no longer safe or effective to continue operations. However, thanks to rapid mobilisation, clear leadership and outstanding teamwork, three families were spared what could have been devastating damage.
We are extremely proud of every volunteer who took part in this response, and we extend our sincere thanks to the local farmer whose quick thinking and equipment made a real difference. This incident is a powerful example of how the Buchan Community Support Team works alongside local communities to protect lives and homes across Aberdeenshire.
If you would like to support our work or find out how to get involved, please get in touch — together, we make a difference.
