A CLEAR picture of the damage caused to homes in Stonehaven has still not emerged more than a week after flood water swept into the town.
With many people keen to get the recovery process underway, the generosity of Mearns folk was evident over a weekend in which almost £2000 and a huge amount of furniture was donated to help families get back on their feet.
But until a full report has been collated, detailing exactly who was affected and in what way, a tailored help and support system cannot be put in place for individuals.
The Stonehaven Flood Support Group now up and running, and it is hoped an over
view of the situation can be pieced together in the coming days.
The group, lead by Paul Hendy, Flood Recovery Consultant with The Scottish Flood Forum, will be based at the MRI and will run on weekdays from 10am until 5pm, offering those affected by the flooding information and advice on all aspects of dealing with the aftermath, from insurance companies and builders, to a simple cup of coffee and a friendly ear.
In addition, a dedicated group of volunteers is currently being recruited to supplement the ongoing process of establishing the extent of the damage and who has been affected, and will be continuing to call at properties in the flooded areas in order to talk to homeowners.
A partnership of key organisations in the town has also resolved to meet once a week, as the Flood Recovery Committee, to discuss the progress being made in what will be a long and hard slog back to normality for many people in the town.
Representatives from Aberdeenshire Council, Stonehaven Rotary and Lions Clubs, the MRI and local councillors and church leaders will attend these meetings.
A Stonehaven Flood Relief Fund has now been set up, and donations can be made via any bank, with the account being held at the Bank of Scotland.
The Lions and Rotary Clubs have been co-ordinating the fund and were out collecting at the weekend, with a total of £1909 being donated.
Stonehaven Lions member Jim Elchendro said: "Both the Lions and the Rotary International are taking a big interest in what is happening but they are not going to release funds to us until we know specifically what the need is, how many houses, how many businesses, how many people. The clubs are very careful with how they deal with other people's money and we need to be able to tell them exactly what their funds are buying."
President of Stonehaven Rotary Club, Wilma Bruce said: "People can make donations to the fund from any bank, although the Bank of Scotland will be where the account is held. So many people have been so badly affected, there are people who have been left without clothes, little kids without shoes, and some people who are under insured or who don't have any insurance at all.
"A lot of those people whose homes were ruined have been rehoused, but many will be in unfurnished accommodation. We need all kinds of household goods, from furniture, to crockery, cutlery, bedding - anything and everything really."
A committee comprising Councillor Wendy Agnew, Wilma Bruce, Rev. David Stewart, Ann Sutherland and Lenny Lawrence has been set up to process and administer applications for funds made through the Flood Support Group.
Mrs Agnew is also co-ordinating a furniture donation scheme and said the response from townsfolk has been overwhelming.
She said: "We're getting everything you can think of, cutlery, fridge freezers, brand new duvets and towels, washing machines, toys, cabinets, TVs - all in very good condition. The recreation ground's public room is just choc a bloc with stuff.
"A few people were down at the weekend to get some things, and I'm glad they did because we need the space. I've had offers of furniture from outwith the area as well, so we will need to arrange the collection of that."
Mrs Agnew said: "I want to encourage people who need household items to come down and collect some things - we're going to move the items into the Cheers Hall on Cowie Lane so we can display it better and it will be open on Saturday and Sunday from 10am until 3pm each week for people to come down. It's just amazing what people have come up with, I didn't for one minute think the folk of Stonehaven would let me down, but it's marvellous. I want to thank them from the bottom of my heart."
The items will be kept in storage for several months, if need be, until those made homeless by the floods have returned to their properties.
The soup kitchen which has been running at St Bridget's and St James' churchs since November 2, will stop after Friday, but each of the church leaders involved will continue to be available through the Flood Support Group for parishioners.
Anyone needing any help and advice can call the Stonehaven Flood Support Group on 07825 010436 or 07902 994636 at any time or email paul.hendy@scottishfloodforum.org.
