Scotland is braced for a fresh onslaught from the elements today as Dumfries and Galloway battles its worst flooding in nearly 20 years.

Water levels in the region were beginning to subside by yesterday afternoon, but forecasters have warned that more heavy rain today poses fresh threats to already struggling householders.

Thousands of sandbags have been distributed to help residents cope with the rising waters in southern Scotland, where nearly a month’s rainfall has descended in just 36 hours. Eskdalemuir, near Dumfries, set a local record with 122mm (5in) falling over Thursday and yesterday, and there was widespread disruption to services.

Western parts of Scotland remain on the Met Office warning list today, but the official forecaster is expected to step down its alert before Sunday.

Nineteen flood alerts remained in place last night, but the Scottish Environment Protection Agency has already downgraded several from severe to general levels.

Trains across Scotland were disrupted by the weather yesterday, and several drivers became trapped in their vehicles in isolated incidents in central and southern areas. One elderly woman was ­airlifted from her car in Coldstream by rescue helicopter HMS ­Gannet.

The 76-year-old had become stranded in deep water at a junction, and neither police nor firefighters were able to reach her. She was eventually discovered clinging to a barbed-wire fence in thigh-deep water.

A spokesman for Dumfries and Galloway Council said the authority had handed out 2450 sandbags to protect the most at-risk homes, and some residents had moved from their houses as a precaution.

The spokesman said: “Council chiefs met with emergency planning partners today to make sure they were ready for the weekend as the horrendous weather that swept across Dumfries

and Galloway on Wednesday and Thursday gave workers a brief respite.

“In the worst flooding since 1990, council chief executive Gavin Stevenson praised staff and partners for their valiant efforts in extreme conditions.

“Fire and rescue, police, Sepa, NHS Dumfries and Galloway, the ambulance service and Scottish Water are key partners in the emergency operation that worked according to plan as the extent of the flooding turned from a prediction into a reality over the last 24 hours.”

A primary school in Lockerbie was closed by the floods, and four were closed in the Scottish Borders.

The Whitesands area of Dumfries was worst hit, with roads closed and power supplies shut off, but emergency services were able to free up enough capacity to offer help to colleagues in Cumbria, on the other side of the border, who were dealing with the worst rainfall Britain has ever seen.