Flood update – help for victims

Latest briefing:  The River Ouse levels are now at 4.4m asl. 
Volunteers have made good progress today on cleaning up flood damage at the Merchant Adventures Hall today. They are hoping to have pumps on site tomorrow

Volunteers have made good progress today on cleaning up flood damage at the Merchant Adventures Hall. They are hoping to have pumps on site tomorrow

River levels will continue to fall slowly but we are still expecting further rain for Wednesday so the advice remains  be #floodaware.

Front line teams have worked round the clock to clear roads and as a result most of the main networks are now open. The situation is improving but there is still a lot of work to be done and all agencies continue to work hard to get the city moving and working as normally as can be expected.

The following roads are still closed:

  • A19 Fulford Road/Fordlands Road – could be opened in the morning
  • Fordland Road – 4×4 vehicles are helping to transport people safely through floodwater
  • Skeldergate
  • Walmgate Bar – traffic lights have failed and a diversion is in place for Navigation Road.

For the latest traffic and travel information please visit: www.itravelyork.info/journey-planning/roadworks-and-road-closures

From tomorrow council staff are going door-to door to residents’ homes affected by the floods to offer help and support, including leaflets and information. A copy of the leaflet is attached/available at www.york.gov.uk/floods

The Council claims that financial support is available for residents and businesses (see below).

Around 650 homes and businesses have been directly affected by flooding in the city centre. The Council is still collating figures for outer York.

Communication channels are restored and the Council’s customer contact centre is running as normal.  The number to call is 01904 551550 the email address is flood@york.gov.uk.

Archbishop Holgate School continues to be operational as a rest centre but all residents who were using the centre have been placed into emergency housing (15-20 families).

The York Council has now issued the following statement.

Following its work to limit the extent and effects of the floods, City of York Council is co-ordinating a raft of support for residents and businesses.

Support is available to residents and businesses that may be directly affected by the flooding and could be assessing damage to their homes and any repairs necessary.

From tomorrow council staff are going door-to door to residents’ homes affected by the floods to offer help and support, including leaflets and information. A copy of the leaflet is available at www.york.gov.uk/floods

This support includes:

Waste collections

Anyone whose home is directly affected by flooding and who has home and or contents insurance should seek advice and get permission from their insurers before removing any damaged items. City of York Council will help residents dispose of flood-damaged waste and anyone needing help after their loss adjusters have visited should call 01904 551550. Around 50 skips are being placed around the city in the most affected areas for residents to dispose of their waste. Find these locations at: www.york.gov.uk/floods

Council tax

There are no automatic reductions in council tax or business rates for residential or business properties damaged specifically by flood water. However people whose property is no longer habitable and require major repairs should inform the council tax billing team and ask about their eligibility via 01904 551550 or email council.tax@york.gov.uk while businesses should contact the business rates team also on 01904 551550 or email business.rates@york.gov.uk .

Reputable tradespeople

Households are advised to seek several quotes for repair work from reputable businesses and request references,, where possible, to check on the quality of work. This will enable you to make a more informed decision.

Anyone, including Older and vulnerable residents can use the Home Services Directory a directory of tradespeople who have undergone an assessment procedure. The list is compiled by Age UK York and is available through the charity or online via www.york.gov.uk/tradingstandards

Meanwhile anyone who believes they may have been approached by a rogue trader or pressurised to buy something they don’t want should contact the Citizens Advice Bureau helpline on 03454 04 05 06.

Benefits advice

Every year thousands of people in York lose out on extra income – and that could include those affected by the flooding and entitled to help? Up to one in three people miss out because they do not claim allowances or benefits, discounts or exemptions. City of York Council’s Benefits Advisers are here to help you check entitlements and to help with applications. Contact the team on 01904 551550.

York’s Disaster Fund

Residents of the City of York whose homes have been flooded, who are on a low income, have little capital and who are not adequately insured, may be eligible for help from York’s Disaster Fund, a registered charity which was established after flooding in York in 2000. Applications to the charity may be made at any time. Businesses are not eligible for help from this fund. For more information about how to apply for a grant, please call City of York Council on 01904 551550.

Disaster Recovery Fund

The recovery fund is supported by Government funding for residents and businesses to pay for additional measures over and above the costs of repairs that would normally be covered by insurance.

Support is available to support small and medium sized businesses to develop and implement business recovery plans. Eligible businesses are able to claim for costs which could include immediate clean-up costs, materials, exceptional business costs (such as hire of drying equipment) and temporary accommodation to enable these businesses to continue trading. Business continuity planning and marketing costs could also be covered.  More information will be available soon at www.york.gov.uk/floods

Floods victims may have been targeted by criminals

Police are investigating reports of burglaries at two properties in Huntington Road, York.

Flooded York. Levels now officially higher than 2012

On 28 December at around 10.45am, a member of the public reported that their neighbour’s house had been broken into overnight by forcing the back door.

On the afternoon of 28 December, a resident then reported that his shed had been burgled overnight and a number of tools had been taken. 

Both incidents are being fully investigated by North Yorkshire Police.

Acting Superintendent Mark Grange said:

“It is extremely disappointing to see victims of the floods being targeted in this way.

“It is impossible to comprehend why anyone would want to bring further suffering to those who are already in a very vulnerable situation.

“Burglary will not be tolerated and those who commit this type of crime will face the full force of the law.

“I want to take this opportunity to remind residents to be vigilant and ensure property is as secure as it possibly can be.”

If anyone witnessed either of the incidents or has any information which could assist the investigation, please call police on 101.

Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Please quote reference numbers NYP-28122015-0147 and NYP-28122015-0210 when passing on information.

Floods update: More roads reopened, major drop in Foss river level

This is the current list of roads still closed in York
Road closure list 1400 29th Dec 2015
The Viking recorder at Ouse bridge is showing the Ouse river level has now fallen to 4.5m above normal levels. It peaked at 5.2m on Sunday.

The webcam is also back on line

Ouse flood cam 1427 29th Dec 2015

Ouse flood cam 1427 29th Dec 2015

The Foss, measured at Huntington, has fallen from a high of 2.9m to 1.5m at 1400 hrs today.

 

York Floods latest update: Confusion over which businesses are open. Merchant Adventurers Hall appeals for help

Organisations representing the commercial sector in York have been asked to coordinate and publicise a list of businesses that are currently closed because of the flooding.

Merchant Adventures Hall

Merchant Adventures Hall

They are being asked to use social media to produce a real time list, indicating likely reopening dates, contact details and a list of clean up materials (if any) required by the business.

While the vast majority of businesses in the City are operating as normal, others face a difficult few days as the flood waters recede. It is an important trading period for many visitor attractions, restaurants, pubs and shops.

Merchant Adventurers Hall appeal

The Hall has suffered serious flooding following failure of the Foss Barrier on Boxing Day.  Fortunately they had sufficient notice to enable them to remove valuables from the Undercroft prior to the water coming in. 

The record level experienced in 1982 was exceeded by a couple of inches! 

The waters around the Hall have now receded but there remains around a foot of water in the Undercroft and that will require pumping out.  The clean up in the kitchens, cloakrooms and reception area can now begin.  They have some power issues because of the uncertain state of the Emergency Lighting Battery Inverter Unit which was submerged. 

If anyone has an hour or two to spare over the next couple of days and is prepared to risk becoming very dirty than we would be grateful for help (please ring 01904 654818 first ).  If anyone has a pump, of what ever capacity, that they could lend to the Hall for a couple of days that would be most useful.

Separately the Council has been asked to confirm that the arrangements set up in 2002 to provide a flood relief fund continue to apply.

While some spontaneous appeals have appeared on “just giving” and “go fund me, proper audit arrangements need to be put in place to ensure funds get quickly to victims with the greatest need.

How to help

At the moment an assessment is being made of the types of help and materials that are needed. Until this has been completed, residents are being asked not add to the huge mountain of materials that has already been collected.

The Council  issued the following update at 10:30am

“The River Ouse levels are at 4.6.m asl today. Main flood defences have held.  River levels will fall slowly but we are expecting further rain for Wednesday so the advice is to be #floodaware.

Four of the eight pumps on the Foss Barrier are working and river levels are dropping. As a consequence roads are clearing, as they do we are looking to direct road sweepers to them throughout this morning to ensure road safety.

The Castlegate sewage pumping station is being repaired at around 10am today and the inner ring road which has just been opened,  heading towards Skeldergate bridge may be temporarily closed sometime today as new pumps are delivered.

For the latest traffic and travel information please visit: www.itravelyork.info/journey-planning/roadworks-and-road-closures

Communication channels are restored and  the council’s customer contact centre is running as normal  These details have been shared with residents via social media and traditional media and the number to call is 01904 551550 the email address is flood@york.gov.uk.

Archbishop Holgate School continues to be operational as a rest centre but all residents who were using the centre have been placed into emergency housing (15-20 families).

The situation is improving but there is still a lot of work to be done and all agencies continue to work hard to get the city moving and working as normally as can be expected. Around 650 homes and businesses have been directly affected by flooding in the city centre.

Both Household Waste and Recycling Centres are now open/operational.

Flood safety

Please avoid entering flood waters as there may be hidden dangers like sharp objects, raised manhole covers and pollution.

Road closures and travel information

For the latest on road closures and travel information during the floods please visit the iTravel website which will be updated regularly”.   

 

Flooding update – More roads reopen, river level gauges repaired

. The Ouse is currently 4.7 metres above normal levels and gradually falling from the peak of 5.2 metres seen on Sunday.

click to update

click to update

River levels are expected to remain very high over the next few days.

The Foss Barrier has been repaired & lowered. 4 of the 8 pumps are now operating. This should be good news for the Huntington Road/Walmgate areas

View the Environment Agency’s map showing current flood warnings for the York area.

Most bus routes are being diverted, with severe delays to be expected.

Bus services 29th Dec 2015

Bus services 29th Dec 2015

Traffic signals have failed at several junctions, including Walmgate Bar and New Lane/Malton Rd. Please proceed with caution where traffic signals are not functional.

The following main roads are currently closed:

Fulford area

  • A19 Fulford Rd/Selby Rd
  • Fordlands Road

Inner Ring Road area

  • Foss Islands Road
  • Tower Street
  • Layerthorpe
  • Navigation Road

City Centre

  • Piccadilly
  • Merchantgate
  • St Denys’ Rd
  • Skeldergate
  • Fossgate
  • Walmgate

Huntington Road area

  • Huntington Road (Monkgate to Haley’s Terrace)
  • Lowther St (no exit at Huntington Rd end)

Tang Hall area

  • Tang Hall Lane at Walney Rd (alternative route via Fourth Ave and Melrosegate is passable)
  • Bad Bargain Lane
  • Hempland Lane / junction of Burnholme Drive

Bishopthorpe area

  • Bishopthorpe Road (at Crematorium)
Roads which have now reopened:
  • Haxby Road is now clear through to the city centre.
  • Huntington Road is clear between A1237 and the Link Road. Closed in bound of this – Haleys Terrace to Monkgate.
  • Heworth Green to Monkgate route is clear in both directions at Monkgate roundabout (Flood water on outbound side but passable)
  • Foss Bank and Layerthorpe/Foss Islands Rd junction is closed.
  • A19, Clifton Green, Water End and Water Lane clear.
  • Fishergate gyratory is open as yesterday.
  • Monks Cross Link
  • Melrosegate
  • Stonebow
  • Peasholme Green

Please do not take any unneccessary risks and only travel if absolutely necessary.

The Environment Agency is working to top up the low spots in the River Ouse’s defences at Marygate, North Street Gardens and Lower Ebor Street.  It is expected that the defences will withstand the predicted river levels and there is not thought to be risk to people or properties behind the defences.

Work is ongoing to identify any vulnerable individuals or groups who would need notifying if the forecast changes.