Flooding Update

Tuesday, 10 July 2012

From Calderdale MBC

Yesterday's cloudburst over Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd resulted in a months' worth of rain (44mm) falling on a very concentrated area in just three hours.

The sheer volume of water coming down from the hills led to drains in the town being overwhelmed and localised flooding in the centre of town and in outlying villages.

Engineers from Calderdale Council Highways and the Council's Safer Cleaner Greener Teams worked until the early hours of this morning to deal with the after-effects of the flooding and teams from the Council are in Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd this morning, continuing with the clean-up.

Flood damage has led to the closure of one road: Sandygate Lane at the junction of Walker Lane, Hebden Bridge. Calderdale Highways is also warning that flood debris is still covering a number of roads in the area and drivers are advised to exercise extra care when driving in the area.

Hebden Bridge Customer First is currently operating from Hebden Bridge Town Hall, following the evacuation and closure of the Library.

At this stage, providing there is no further flooding, it is anticipated that the Library will re-open tomorrow (Wednesday).

Teams from the Council and volunteers are currently visiting households in the area which were unaffected by the previous flooding incident two weeks ago – and in particular those where there are vulnerable people - to find out what help is needed. Cleaning materials – mop, buckets and disinfectant, shovels etc – are available from the Council on request.

Anyone who needs help or advice and who has not been contacted, should call the Council on 0845 245 7000.

Calderdale Council and the Environment Agency are now proposing a joint working group that will include British Waterways, Yorkshire Water and the local community to look at the whole of Upper Calderdale and consider all the options for reducing the risk of flooding in the area.

The aim will be to gather information so that we can understand all the causes of flooding, and identify the broadest possible range of options to reduce the risk, as well as improve resilience.

Calderdale Council's Leader, Cllr Tim Swift, says: "Action needs to be taken to reduce the risk of flooding but when floods do occur, the Council and its partners are able to keep effects to a minimum and get help to where it is most needed."

Deputy Leader, Cllr Janet Battye, says: "We need to work with the Environment Agency, our partners and the community to produce a clear plan which will help to protect people's homes and businesses in the Upper Calder valley.

"We need the input and opinions of local people, who know a lot about their area and who can help us produce a plan."