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Torrential rain combined with high tides to overwhelm pumps meant to keep floodwaters down, leaving Oban’s Lochavuillen car park and roads leading to surrounding businesses, including two major supermarkets, underwater and a no-go zone.
Perfect storm as a high spring tide in the bay meets a rain-choked Black Lynn – but council says the pumps were working but could not cope with exceptional rain.
Central government funding could be available from 2022 to help protect Oban from floods.
As the mopping up operation started, questions were being asked about what can be done to avoid future floods.
The council is now procuring larger portable pumps from farther afield to provide a higher volume back up to the permanent pumping system.
Photo gallery shows cars, buses and lorries stuck in Lochavullin car park.
Pumps in the town can cope with ‘reasonable quantities’ of standing water – but not this much, says council.
Changes include turning Ganavan car park from seasonal to all-year charging, and Longsdale and Lochavullin car parks from free to year-round pay and display.
