Businesses in North Berwick are still dealing with the damage, while a separate sewage overflow was reported by Prestonpans residents at the weekend.
On North Berwick High Street, Greggs, Luke Henry Jewellers and Skipton Building Society reported issues following torrential downpours last Tuesday evening into the early hours of Wednesday morning last week, with water reaching depths of about eight inches in places.
Luke has had to purchase several dehumidifiers in order to clear the “damp smell” from the jewellers (Image: Gordon Bell)
Luke Henry, who opened his jewellers in May after a full refurbishment, fears he may now have to lift the carpets and carry out further renovation work after flood waters “rushed through to the back of the shop”.
The store remains open to customers but flooding has left stains, watermarks and a damp smell, with Luke bringing in carpet cleaners and dehumidifiers to deal with the aftermath.
Luke, who re-branded the business from Henry’s of North Berwick after his father retired, said: “I think my dad was flooded twice, but it only ever came back to about halfway to the counter, whereas this time it has gone all the way to the back of the shop.
“The issue is when the street is kind of flooded, the cars are going along and then, of course, every car that goes past the shop sends a tidal wave.
Flood water level was above the mains wall socket at Luke Henry Jewellers (Image: Gordon Bell)
“A lot of the jewellery is tarnished because of the kind of the humidity in the shop, so that’s the ongoing thought.”
Skipton Building Society has also had to remove its carpet after it suffered severe damage, with customers being warned that “the exposed floor area is sticky”.
A damaged water supply pipe caused flooding outside Greggs last Saturday, forcing the bakery to close temporarily so repairs could take place.
Skipton Building Society has also been damaged by the flooding (Image: NQ Staff)
A Scottish Water spokesperson said: “Investigations found a damaged water supply pipe at the boundary of a property which had caused some local flooding onto the pavement, joining significant surface water from heavy rain already on the road.”
Kenny Miller, chair of North Berwick Community Council, said: “This is certainly quite extraordinary.
“I don’t think I have seen flooding at this level before.
“The rain overnight was certainly very heavy, but I am surprised the drainage system didn’t deal with it better.”
North Berwick High School also experienced flooding during last Wednesday morning’s heavy rainfall, with water collecting in the canteen, although staff worked to ensure that the area was safe to be reopened for break and lunchtime.
In Prestonpans, residents have raised concerns about recurring sewage overflows.
Heavy rains caused major flooding on Prestonpans High Street, pictured here across the road from Premier Store and Bombay Bar and Grill (Image: Supplied)
Reports of sewage flooding prompted the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) to contact Scottish Water, which dispatched a team to investigate.
The resident said that the drain was “choked solid with oil and grease”.
They added: “This is a recurring environmental pollution and health hazard that I feel is not being adequately addressed.
“I have watched people, children and dogs walk through raw human faeces, I have had to take time-consuming, inconvenient measures to stop the faeces from entering my home.
Residents reported significant flooding at the top end of Prestonpans High Street for the second time in a month (Image: Supplied)
“I have watched essentially a river of sewage directly enter the sea on two occasions now, and I have heard from neighbours who have lived in this area much longer than I have, that this has happened ‘lots of times’, and has been reported but ‘nothing gets done’.”
Scottish Water confirmed that they attended the overflowing drain last Saturday morning and escalated concerns to their trade effluent team.
A spokesperson for Scottish Water said: “Our teams attended High Street, Prestonpans, on Saturday, September 27, and cleared a blockage in the sewer network.
“The sewer is now operating normally and the affected area has been cleaned.”
A spokesperson for SEPA said: “SEPA have received reports of drains overflowing at the junction of High Street and Redburn Road, Prestonpans.
“We have responded by alerting Scottish Water, which has investigated and carried out clean-ups as required, as well as providing SEPA with updates on any pollution found and follow up works.
Residents say the overflowing drains are a serious environmental concern (Image: Supplied)
“We would like to thank those who reported this to us and encourage anyone who is concerned about a potential pollution incident to contact SEPA immediately on 0800 80 70 60 or submit an online report.”
Elsewhere in the county, last Wednesday’s flash floods made several roads impassable and forced drivers to seek alternative routes.
Flooding was reported on the B1377 between Longniddry and Drem near Ballencrieff Roundabout, as well as under the Lorne Bridge on the Coal Road.
Drivers had to slow down to cross the intersection of Inveresk Road and Pinkie Road with Newbigging (Image: James Jamieson)
In Musselburgh, large pools of water formed at the junction of Newbigging, Pinkie Road and Inveresk Road, slowing commuter traffic.
Golf courses were also affected, with Winterfield Golf Club in Dunbar and the Royal Musselburgh Golf Club, Prestonpans, forced to close for the day due to waterlogged greens.
An East Lothian Council spokesperson said that heavy rainfall put pressure on the drainage system and teams attended a “small number of localised issues” last Wednesday.