Major incident stood down in Hawick after 500 homes evacuated due to flooding

Pupils have also been some home from Trinity Primary and Hawick High, and Teviot Health Centre has been closed. Credit: ITV Border

A major incident was declared in Hawick on Thursday evening after heavy downpours hit the town in the Scottish Borders.

It has since been stood down.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) said there was likely to be "significant damage" to around 500 properties and a risk to public safety.

Several flood warnings are in place across the region, with the situation around the River Tweed and River Teviot worsening rapidly.

Pupils have also been some home from Trinity Primary and Hawick High, and Teviot Health Centre has been closed.

The scene in Hawick at 5pm. Credit: ITV Border

On both sides of the border there has been heavy disruption on both the roads and railways, with one train operator issued a "do not travel" warning.

Pproperties have been flooded in Egremont, Cockermouth, Cleator and Borrowdale after more than 11 inches of rain fell on the county, Credit: PA Images

More bad weather is forecast, with the Met Office issuing an amber warning which means flooding which can be a "danger to life" can occur. This is in place in Cumbria until midnight, while a yellow warning - which is less serious but still means heavy rainfall - is in place over the south of Scotland until 6pm.

Nine flood warnings are in place in Cumbria, 14 in the Scottish Borders and three in Dumfries and Galloway.

Communities have been urged to brace themselves for what is to come, and to have a plan in place in case the worst does happen.