A CLEAN-UP operation is continuing after severe gales battered coastal communities in the north and east of Scotland.
The Scottish Government said a highly unusual combination of south easterly gales, low pressure and high tides had caused extensive damage from Shetland to North Berwick.
One oil worker died and 11 people were rescued from an emergency standby vessel in the North Sea that suffered serious damage about 120 miles off the Aberdeen coast on Friday.
Waves of up to 6m (20ft) were reported to have deluged the Vos Sailor standby vessel.
Those in the communities affected described it as the worst storm in living memory. Similar conditions are thought to have last occurred 50 years ago.
The greatest impact was felt in coastal areas of the north-east, with harbours such as Fraserburgh, Peterhead and Lossiemouth badly affected.
Local authorities reported localised flooding and structural damage to harbours, homes and commercial properties as well as power failures.
Families had to be evacuated from their homes in Lossiemouth but have now been able to return. Moray Council has been on 24-hour standby since Friday and in Portknockie council staff were called out to assist when part of the town's front street was flooded.
Storm damage is estimated to have caused thousands of pounds of damage in Wick, in the Highlands. The main roads leading to the harbour were closed for several hours after Wick River burst its banks and flooded much of the recreational area at the Riverside.
The Scottish Government convened its Resilience Room in response to the gales and said it was working closely with local authorities to provide assistance. Transport Minister Keith Brown said they were working to assess the impact on businesses based around harbours, including fish processors.
While some ports have been damaged, ministers said there were no reports of serious injury to people onshore.
Meanwhile, the search was continuing for the body of the sailor feared to have died when his boat got into difficulty in the North Sea.
The remaining 11 crew of the Vos Sailor were winched to safety in two helicopters responding to a mayday call early on Saturday morning.
The boat is drifting in the North Sea and is expected to be tethered and brought back to shore in the next two days.
Heavy showers were continuing to batter parts of the UK yesterday, bringing the risk of more flooding problems.
Environment Minister Paul Wheelhouse said: "The weather factors that combined this weekend were a 'perfect storm' – with those in the communities affected describing it as the worst storm in living memory.
"The tragic death of a crew member aboard the Vos Sailor is deeply saddening and our thoughts are with the individual's family.
"Thankfully due to the quick actions of local emergency responders and resilience preparations in place, we currently have no onshore reports of serious harm or injury.
"Already communities are coming together with volunteers helping in the debris clean-up operation, in partnership with local authorities.
"I thank people for their efforts, and this community spirit will be important as the worst-affected areas start to return to normality."
Keith Brown will be coordinating the Scottish Government response to the storm impact over the coming days.
He said: "The Scottish Government is working in close partnership with councils and responder agencies and we stand ready to provide assistance in any way we can."
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