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Heavy rain wreaks travel 'havoc' Heavy rain wreaks travel 'havoc'
(about 3 hours later)
Roads have been closed after heavy overnight rain caused flooding in Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway.Roads have been closed after heavy overnight rain caused flooding in Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway.
A small number of houses have been flooded near Prestwick and properties in Twynholm, near Kirkcudbright, have also been affected by water. Hundreds of shoppers had to be evacuated from a retail park in Kilmarnock due to the floods.
Diversions have been put in place on the A75 in the south west. Police said more rain was expected to cause "havoc" for travellers throughout the day. A small number of houses have also been flooded near Prestwick and at Twynholm, near Kirkcudbright.
Part of the A770 has also been closed in Gourock because of flooding. Diversions have been put in place on many routes in the south west. Police said more rain was due to cause "havoc" for travellers throughout the day.
Heavy rains and strong winds began to hit Dumfries and Galloway on Thursday evening and continued overnight. Many roads, whilst not closed, have standing water on them and travel should only be considered if necessary Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary statement
Heavy rains which swelled the River Irvine prompted the evacuation of shops, restaurants and a cinema in Kilmarnock.
Water poured out onto the Queens Drive retail park from about 1000 BST onwards.
The deluge began to hit Dumfries and Galloway on Thursday evening and continued overnight.
Police said the worst-hit area was the Stewartry district.Police said the worst-hit area was the Stewartry district.
Many roads, whilst not closed, have standing water on them and travel should only be considered if necessary Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary statement The fire and rescue service was called to homes in the Twynholm area and was using pumps to get rid of water from several homes. The fire and rescue service was called to homes in the Twynholm area and was using pumps to get rid of water from several homes.
The A75 was shut at Ringford due to flood waters while the A711 between Kirkcudbright and Auchencairn was also closed for a time until a fallen tree was removed. The A75 was shut at Ringford due to flood waters while the A711 between Kirkcudbright and Auchencairn was also closed but both reopened later in the day.
In addition, the A762 Ringford to Lauriestion road was closed and diversions were being put in place at Parkgate on the A701.In addition, the A762 Ringford to Lauriestion road was closed and diversions were being put in place at Parkgate on the A701.
The River Nith overflowed onto the Whitesands in Dumfries
The A714 had to be shut at Bargrennan due to the River Cree overflowing.The A714 had to be shut at Bargrennan due to the River Cree overflowing.
Police were also speaking to residents in the Loch Ken area in relation to increased water levels and the possibility for flooding to roads and properties in the lower lying areas.Police were also speaking to residents in the Loch Ken area in relation to increased water levels and the possibility for flooding to roads and properties in the lower lying areas.
The nearby A762 has been closed and the A713 was also expected to be shut.The nearby A762 has been closed and the A713 was also expected to be shut.
Schools closed In Dumfries, the Whitesands was flooded at about 1230 BST for about four to five hours.
In Dumfries, the Whitesands was expected to flood at about 1230 BST for about four to five hours.
Warnings were issued to property holders in the area and motorists were urged to remove any vehicles as soon as possible.Warnings were issued to property holders in the area and motorists were urged to remove any vehicles as soon as possible.
A police statement urged drivers to take extreme care in the bad weather and to take the conditions into account.A police statement urged drivers to take extreme care in the bad weather and to take the conditions into account.
Schools closed
It added: "Many roads, whilst not closed, have standing water on them and travel should only be considered if necessary."It added: "Many roads, whilst not closed, have standing water on them and travel should only be considered if necessary."
Dumfries and Galloway Council also confirmed Gelston Primary school - near Castle Douglas - and Glentrool Primary had been closed due to flooding.Dumfries and Galloway Council also confirmed Gelston Primary school - near Castle Douglas - and Glentrool Primary had been closed due to flooding.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency issued a flood watch warning for all rivers in the region as the severe weather looked set to continue. Further north, part of the A770 has also been closed in Gourock because of the bad weather.
A number of flood warnings were in place on rivers across Scotland including the River Irvine, Kilmarnock Water, White Cart Water, River Lyon and River Nith.
However, it was expected the bad weather would ease by the end of the day.
Are you affected by the bad weather? Do you have pictures or video? Send them to the BBC news website. Click hereto send an e-mail.Are you affected by the bad weather? Do you have pictures or video? Send them to the BBC news website. Click hereto send an e-mail.
Send your pictures to newsonlinescotland@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures to newsonlinescotland@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here.
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