Several cafes, restaurants and shops around Lerwick's Commercial Street and Esplanade were forced to clear water from their premises after a sudden downpour on Thursday. More than 22mm of rain fell in Lerwick in the 24 hours to Thursday, according to STV News, and those in the town said the extreme rain lasted about 15 minutes and took them by surprise.
Johnny Sandison, head brewer at Lerwick Brewery, said: "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, a chef at The Dowry restaurant, said the kitchen flash-flooded "within thirty seconds" and the business lost stock. "Inside the door, the corridor, just everything. Two inches plus of water within seconds," he said.
Kirsty Semple, owner of Beauty 109 on Commercial Street, said water was "pouring" into her shop and she cancelled appointments. "The drains outside were lifting up and overflowing," she said. Emma, owner of the Peerie Shop and Cafe, which sits at one of the town's lowest points, said the flooding was very quick this time. "We've lost a day of trading, but we managed to keep it out of the shop," she said.
A landslide blocked the road between Garderhouse and Reawick on the west side of Shetland. Shetland Islands Council said traffic for Reawick and Skeld was being directed through the Houllmalees and Gruting, with work underway to clear the road.
The council said its roads operatives were clearing drains in several areas, and that high tides had contributed to flooding around the Esplanade and Harrison Square. Sandbags were being supplied on request and motorists were asked to take extra care.
The flooding comes ahead of yellow wind warnings issued in advance of Storm Boelo's arrival over the weekend, with two storms, Austen and Boelo, set to hit the UK in two days.