DESPITE signs heavy rainfall across many parts of Scotland is starting to abate, a dozen flood alerts and warnings were still in place on Sunday night, many of them in places where rainwater has gathered.

At one point on Sunday the Met Office issued an urgent warning of thunderstorms affecting central and southern parts of the country.

The warning read: “Expect some flooding of a few homes and businesses, likely to damage buildings and structures.

“There will possibly be some damage to buildings and structures due to lightning strikes.

“Driving conditions will likely be affected by the spray, standing water and hail.”

As the rain set in around Glasgow, there was disruption on the Kingston Bridge, which carries the M8 motorway through the heart of the city.

The main problem today is likely to be continued flooding. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency had 10 flood alerts and two flood warnings in place as The National went to press.

The more serious flood warnings were issued for the Queen’s Drive area of Kilmarnock and Pollok Country Park in Glasgow.

Flood alerts were in place for areas across the country ranging from Argyll and Bute to the Borders. The alerts stated: “Heavy, persistent rain will continue throughout Sunday into early Monday morning in southern and central Scotland. This may lead to localised flooding from surface water,

small watercourses and some larger rivers.”

In England, Northumberland and Cumbria were both badly affected with road closures and transport disruption, while homes and business were flooded in many areas. Devon and Cornwall on the south coast were also be affected.

No warnings have been issued for today but the Met Office describes the situation as “unsettled” for the rest of the week.