Homes in Aberdeenshire have been evacuated after the River Don burst its banks, amid heavy rain across eastern Scotland.

Residents, including elderly people and babies, were moved from properties in Inverurie as some water levels reached record highs.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) issued two severe flood warnings, meaning danger to life.

The rail line between Aberdeen and Dundee has been closed due to flooding.

Scotland Live: Keep up to date with all the latest on the flooding here

.On the trains – services to and from central belt are starting and terminating at Dundee. ScotRail are only able to offer “very limited” alternative travel due to the road conditions
.Services between Aberdeen and Inverness also severely affected due to flooding at Inverurie
.Aberdeen International Airport runway has re-opened after repairs
.Some 38 properties in Port Elphinstone, near Inverurie, evacuated overnight and 18 homes evacuated in Ellon as River Ythan threatened to overflow
.Sepa said river levels still peaking in Aberdeenshire – River Don at Parkhill peaked at 5.537m – the previous high was 4.168m in November 2002
.Twenty-four roads closed in Aberdeenshire and about 13 in Tayside
More than 30 Aberdeenshire schools shut or partially closed on Friday due to weather
.Power off in some areas affected by severe weather – engineers at the scene
.NHS Grampian residents advised those with private water supply to drink bottled water
.The Met Office has further yellow warnings for rain and snow covering many parts of Scotland
.Drivers in southern Scotland on snow and ice alert

Police Scotland have declared a “major incident”.

Aberdeenshire Council said it faced an “escalating emergency response” and had a “very challenging night”.

BBC correspondent Kevin Keane said residents in their 80s were among those evacuated in Port Elphinstone.

He said some had been led to ambulances to keep warm while waiting for rescue boats, as “dozens” of homes flooded.

An emergency rest centre became inaccessible because of flood water, and rescue efforts were also hampered by freezing temperatures and snow. The area was also affected by a power cut.info-bbc