Helensburgh and Lomond roads and rail hit by severe flooding

Within hours of the rain starting, the A83, A82 and many local roads were closed or impacted as they were turned to rivers.

The rail line between Helensburgh Central and Dalmuir was closed in advance, with images of Bowling Station showing the tracks submerged.

Up to 180cm was forecast to fall in 24 hours over a vast swathe of the west of Scotland.

From Tarbet to the Churchill estate, readers witnesses flooding across the region.

Landslip on the David Stone A814 Loch Long Road at Arrochar (Image: David Stone)

A landslip hit the A814 Loch Long Road at Arrochar.

Police Scotland said the entire A83 between Tarbet and Lochgilphead was closed by multiple landslips.

Police shared a picture of a landslip on the A83 taken by the coastguard (Image: Coastguard/Police Scotland)

In a statement the force said: “Our emergency partner HM Coastguard have shared this image from their search and rescue helicopter at Cairndow. Drivers should avoid travelling in the Argyll and Bute area due to significant disruption for their safety.

“Listen to media broadcasts, including radio, for updates and follow your local authority on social media.

“The Met Office, Ready Scot and Traffic Scotland have more information on their websites and social channels.”

Churchill was overwhelmed with water (Image: Kaylea Walsh)Rhian Hannon's labrator Odin swimming with another dog in flood waters in Churchill (Image: Rhian Hannon)

Videos of Station Road in Rhu showed the road replaced with a river.

And the Stoneymollan roundabout at Bullock and other stretches of Loch Lomondside were also under water.

As of midday, the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (Sepa), had issued 47 flood warnings and 17 regional flood alerts.

Vincent Fitzsimmons, Sepa’s flood duty manager, said there is a “major rainfall event that is bringing prolonged, heavy rain throughout the day and into Sunday”.

Flooding at the play park in Rhu (Image: Gillian Massie)

He said: “I want to be very clear that this is not a normal Autumn day for Scotland.

“We’re expecting extensive river and surface water flooding in affected areas. There is a danger to life.

“There will be widespread impacts to road and rail. There is a risk of more significant community scale property flooding.”

Flooding in Shandon (Image: Sandra Latham)

He continued: “Rain will move across central and western parts this morning, moving northwards through the day.

“Many areas will see heavy rain for well over 24 hours before it clears on Sunday.

“Of particular concern are communities in the amber area that extends from west central Scotland northwards.

“Examples include Aviemore and communities down the Spey Valley, and also Milngavie, Aberfoyle, Callander and Bridge Of Allan.”

He advised people in areas such as Aberfoyle and Aviemore to check for updates and advice on Sepa’s website.