Shetland businesses hit by flooding after heavy rain

Shetland Islands Council is working to clear drains after businesses were hit by flooding as a result of heavy rain.

Several cafes, restaurants and shops around Commercial Street and Esplanade in Lerwick were forced to clear water.

One business described the rain as "biblical".

The local authority is also asking drivers to take extra care.

It comes ahead of yellow wind warnings being issued in advance of Storm Boelo's arrival over the weekend.

Two storms in two days as Austen and Boelo target UK

Johnny Sandison, who works at the Lerwick Brewery, said: "It was biblical. It was probably the heaviest rain I have ever seen in Shetland in my life.

"When the cars were going past on the road, you could see these massive waves were coming up above the height of the cars themselves."

Kenneth Hughson, who works as a chef at The Dowry restaurant, said it had lost stock.

"Within thirty seconds the whole kitchen flash-flooded," he said.

"Inside the door, the corridor, just everything. Two inches plus of water within seconds.

"We've lost a lot of stock, I mean the floors are soaked."

Kirsty Semple, owner of Beauty 109 on Lerwick's Commercial Street, said she had to cancel some appointments.

"It just started pouring in," she said. "We had five towels up against door and it was just not stopping.

"The drains outside were lifting up and overflowing.

"I panicked and had to cancel a few clients this afternoon."

Photographs also showed a landslide on the Reawick/Skeld road on the west side of Shetland.