Residents in Scotland had to leave their homes on Thursday following torrential rain that saw two bridges “washed away” and a major incident declared.

There were fears up to 500 properties could be affected by flooding in the Scottish Borders town of Hawick where Police Scotland declared a major incident around 4pm.

Homes were evacuated but by the evening the council confirmed the alert was over as levels in the River Teviot, which peaked at 2.9 metres, started to fall after 7.30pm.

Schools and a health centre in the town were closed earlier in the day along with schools in Peebles which was also hit by flooding as the River Tweed burst its banks.

The Scottish Borders Council said: “The evacuation of residents has now ceased and members of the public are being advised that they are safe to return to their homes.”

It came during a day of heavy rain and flooding which disrupted travel across southern Scotland and northern England and saw people urged to avoid travelling in the region unless “absolutely necessary”.

Four adults were rescued from a flooded business premises in Dumfries.

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Pictures released on social media by Nithsdale Police showed a Scottish Fire and Rescue Service boat in use in the Whitesands area of the town.

Police said that all those involved were “safe and well”.

Multi agency #partnershipworking tonight between #Dumfries Community Officers & @scotfire_DG as 4 adults were rescued from a flooded premises on #Whitesands in #Dumfries by a Fire and Rescue Service boat. All safe & well. #KeepingPeopleSafe pic.twitter.com/A0MR0d6mhr

This footage I’ve been sent of the #Whitesands #Dumfries along from my office are just heartbreaking for the homes and businesses affected and sadly the Nith is still rising. I’ll be pressing for the maximum support from the @scotgov for those impacted and help with the clear up. pic.twitter.com/IhDSzq2HPl

Meanwhile, Network Rail Scotland said two bridges in Dumfries and Galloway were “washed away”, leading to the cancellation of train services on the Dumfries to Carlisle line.

It tweeted around 9.30pm: “Two road bridges have been washed away on the river Annan, north of the railway.

“We’re unable to allow trains to pass over the Annan Viaduct pending a daylight safety inspection.

“The line between Dumfries and Carlisle will remain closed until further notice.”

Current scenes on #Whitesands in #Dumfries where the #RiverNith has burst its banks & flooded. Please avoid the area pic.twitter.com/Rk6ciThNtY

As well as the Dumfries to Carlisle line, other trains were disrupted by the weather, including the Edinburgh to Glasgow Central via Shotts, Edinburgh to Glasgow Queen Street via Falkirk High and Glasgow Queen Street to Alloa/Aberdeen/Inverness services.

There was also further disruption due to a minor landslide that blocked the B725 road around six miles from Dumfries.

Weather warnings for heavy rain were in force across southern Scotland and northern England, including an amber alert for Cumbria which warned of “danger to life from fast flowing or deep floodwater”.

According to the Met Office, 370mm of rain was recorded at Honister Pass in Cumbria between 1am on Wednesday and 6pm on Thursday.

#Rain will gradually give way to sunshine and showers on Friday. Here's the #4cast: pic.twitter.com/4siWhoezAF

It reported 132mm of rain at Eskdalemuir in Dumfries and Galloway in the same period.

Heavy and persistent rain could cause further problems in these areas, plus Wales and the South East, today.

As of Friday morning, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) had 12 flood warnings in place.

Further yellow warnings for rain covering parts of south Scotland, the borders and the North West, Wales and the South East are in place until 3pm today.

Although, the Met Office said the predicted rain could become drier by the afternoon.

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