WATCH: Flood waters damage Kelso mill

Worst hit has been the Mill Wynd premises of millers, John Hogarth Ltd, which back onto the stretch of the River Tweed opposite Springwood Park showground, known as The Cobby.

Rising river levels over Saturday eventually saw the water flood the mill basement to a depth of five feet in the worst flooding incident experienced by the long-established company in around 80 years.

The mill’s quality assurance co-ordinator, Dean Weatherston, is also vice-chairman of the town’s community council.

Asked about flooding in the town and the impact on Hogarth’s mill, he told us this morning (Sunday): “Just the Cobby and Mayfield but no houses as far as I know. The mill is flooded at the highest level since the 1930s.

“Fortunately staff were there at the time monitoring the situation and went able to empty out the system and remove the motors before the water came in.

“But the water rose to a depth of about five feet in our basements and a back wall has been taken out by debris. There’s no sign of the levels falling today so we won’t be milling tomorrow.”

And Councillor Weatherston added: “I’ve been very disappointed at the amount of people risking their lives trying to get along the Kelso to Maxton road, which resulted in emergency services being diverted from worse hit areas like Hawick.

“The car that was floating down the Tweed at Kelso earlier this morning like a toy is testimony to how powerful and dangerous flooded waters are.”