RESIDENTS BRACED FOR FLOODS:
Alerts in place in towns and cities across region Sandbags and supplies delivered to the most at risk
THOUSANDS OF worried residents across Yorkshire were bracing themselves for potential flooding misery as Storm Christoph began to pour down on the region.
Some 123 flood alerts and 14 flood warnings were issued by the Environment Agency as of 2pm yesterday, as homes in areas feared to be most affected were delivered sandbags and supplies to ready themselves.
Areas on flood alert included Leeds, Calder Valley, Wakefield and Doncaster, meaning flooding was possible, and York had flood warnings issued for the city centre and Naburn Lock, meaning flooding was expected.
Fishlake, near Doncaster, was one of the worst affected areas in floods in November 2019 and yesterday residents were readying themselves for their village to flood a second time in just over two years.
Many villagers have only been able to return to their homes for a matter of weeks, and some still haven’t managed to move back.
Doncaster Council said it had delivered 40,000 sandbags around the area since a flood alert was first issued last week.
Debbie Twell, 60, said the mental impact of last years’ floods was high in the minds of many residents.
She said: “We’ve not got an easy few days ahead of us. It was traumatic last time. Unbelievable.
“I can still hear the sound of the water running down the road in my head.
“For people living with anxiety, it’s taking us back to where it was last year.”
Neil and Jayne West only returned to their home in December after living in their back garden for months.
Mrs West, 53, said: “We are not leaving again. We’ve got a plan of action that involves taking doors off. We are more prepared now.”
Doncaster Council chief executive Damian Allen, who visited Fishlake yesterday to oversee the preparations, said that the council had identified 2,000 shielding people across the area whose homes might be hit by floods.
He said: “Efforts are going well since the major incident was declared on Monday. Covid has added even more complexity to our preparation. All those vulnerable have been matched with a flood warden and there’s been lots of knocking on doors and phoning up.”
Mr Allen said lessons have been learnt from the deluge in 2019, and co-operation between councils, the environment agencies and residents had improved.
In Calder Valley, where flooding was also feared, the council said it was on 24-hour standby to assist with relief efforts if needed and has set up virtual support hubs for residents affected.
Coun Scott Patient said: “Council teams and our partners are doing everything we can to prepare for this week’s expected bad weather.
“There are simple things we can all do to get ready to deal with any issues caused by heavy rain or flooding, and I know we’d respond with Calderdale’s usual kindness and resilience.”