THERE are a lot of lessons to be learned from the horrible problems the floods of August 11-12 caused.

Throughout the Cowdenbeath-Lochgelly area there were massive issues, with roads blocked, such as the Lochgelly-Benarty road just north of Lochgelly High School; and the situation with 20 plus houses severely damaged in Cardenden Road, Cardenden, when the Den Burn and the River Ore burst their banks.

Local councillor and chair of Cowdenbeath Area Committee, Linda Erskine, said that a flood prevention scheme for Cardenden was needed.

Labour Councillor Altany Craik, Fife Council spokesperson for Economy, Tourism, Strategic Planning and Transportation, is now calling for a full review of the Council’s approach to dealing with flood emergencies.

Cllr Craik said: “Two weeks ago, a supposed once in a lifetime flooding event, turned some residents’ lives upside down.

"The ferocity of the storm, and subsequent flooding, left lives in ruins as houses were inundated with rain and river water. "Some managed to save possessions or will have to rely on insurance, others were just happy to escape the rising water. The flooding of many places across Fife caused devastation with roads closed and schools unable to open. We are not used to these kind of events, but are becoming ever more familiar with them".

He added: “Thinly stretched Council staff worked so hard and made a huge difference on the ground that was appreciated by many impacted by the floods.

"However, some places felt the response was too slow or not enough in their time of need. The Council, so often the providers of support, was unable to deliver the immediate help in every place across the Kingdom that our residents needed.

“The devastation in the homes I visited was complete and the aftermath of the flooding caused destruction that will take a long time to put right. "The efforts on the ground were as much as we could do but it wasn't always enough.

"The impact of a decade of cuts to council budgets has left us unable to put the boots on the ground that we once would have and that was felt across the Kingdom".

Mr Craik went on: "The double whammy of Covid on top of the storm meant that too many of our communities suffered as the rain lashed down. “I have seen some local MSPs calling for the Council to apply for the Bellwin Scheme to meet the costs of flood damage.

"Quite frankly they should know better. The Bellwin Scheme only kicks-in once costs are above £1.6m . The Council has to meet this initial cost and Bellwin funds are very restricted in what they can be used for.

"The experience from the ‘Beast from the East’ showed how ineffective the Bellwin Scheme is and at that time the Scottish Government had to step in with additional funding.

"I will be writing to the Scottish Government asking for special funds to be made available to meet the costs of events like this and hope our MSPs will support this request.

"We have strong communities and the tales of neighbours helping one another are truly inspiring.

"Our emergency services and Council workforce were also fantastic in the face of the storm. That joint effort reduced the impacts of the storm and prevented the damage being much worse, but I want to explore how the Council can support better these community efforts in future as well has looking to improve the Council’s own approach.

“As always there will be a lessons learned exercise after the initial emergency has passed but we need a fundamental review of our approach not just tinkering round the edges.

"There is always a next time as events like these become more and more common. We cannot continue to simply tidy up the carnage after the event and that is why I am calling for a new approach to dealing with emergencies like this.

“With the impact of Covid many things will be different as we try to rebuild our communities and re-evaluate our priorities.

"We need emergency response systems that prevent an emergency becoming a catastrophe. I hope we can develop a better a response that allows intervention and redeployment of our much reduced workforce so that communities get the help they need from their Council, when they need it.”

The lives of many residents of Cardenden Road are not yet in any way recovering from the impact of the flooding.

Our pictures show some of the worst problems seen during August in the area.