All the working river gauges continue to show reducing levels.

The Environment Agency is still reporting that the gauge at the Foss basin is still out of action. However a separate web page (below) puts the Foss basin river level at 4.8 metres (which is very low)

Blue Beck click to update

Foss basin click to update

Skelton Poppleton click to update

Tang Hall Beck click

Ouse Bridge (Viking) click to update

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

Council staff are also going door-to door to residents’ homes affected by the floods today, to offer help and support, including leaflets and information.

Financial support is available for residents and businesses. Click for more details

Education teams are also contacting headteachers ahead of some schools reopening next week, to provide direct advice/support.

Up-to-date figures indicate that around 767 properties (602 residential and 165 commercial), have been directly affected by flooding in the City centre.

Flooding advice for businesses

The Council says it is  working with Make It York, who are meeting with/contacting those businesses directly affected with advice and support (although neither their web site or that of the York BID have been updated since the crisis developed).

If your business has been affected by flooding please see the Health and Safety Executive’s advice on recovering your business.

If your food business has been affected by flooding please see our Flooding advice for food businesses webpage. 

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.

Offers of help

We would like to thank everyone who has already helped or offered their support. We are currently working to co-ordinate what is needed and who can help out, whether this is by giving time to help or donating supplies.

If you would like to offer any support in the recovery effort, please email us with your details to flood@york.gov.uk or call 01904 551550.

We are actively looking for volunteers to help with the clean up at the Guildhall  tomorrow (31 December) 9am-5pm too. Products have been kindly provided by Asda and Nestle, please wear suitable outdoor clothing.

Residents have been extremely generous in giving donations to their local collection points, organised by local communities in York. We understand that many are now at, or approaching, capacity and will find it difficult to accept any more. Please make sure that you call them first, prior to dropping off your donations.

Donate to the York Flood Appeal

The York flood appeal is a new appeal to support people who have been affected by the flood in York in December 2015 and you can donate online.

Alternatively you can donate by sending a cheque. Please make it payable to Two Ridings Community Foundation, write York Flood Appeal on the back and send it to: Two Ridings Community Foundation, Suite 1.34, The Innovation Centre, York Science Park, York YO10 5DG.

The appeal is set up by The York Disaster Fund and is to benefit people living within the City of York Council boundary. The Fund was set up in 2000 to help the victims of floods in York that year, and has launched this appeal to help this year’s victims of flooding in York. To help make donating easier, The York Disaster Fund charity has partnered with Two Ridings Community Foundation. The Foundation is accepting donations to the fund via an online giving page and cheques sent to its offices in York.

Donate furniture and household goods

The Community Furniture Store in York has opened up today (30 Dec) to take donations until 5pm. They are based at Unit 29, The Raylor Centre, James Street, York, YO10 3D, tel: 01904 426444.

Support for residents and businesses

Following its work to limit the extent and effects of the floods, the council is co-ordinating support for residents and businesses. The page includes information on

• Waste collections
• Council tax 
• Reputable tradespeople
• Benefits advice 
• York’s Disaster Fund 
• Disaster Recovery Fund 
• 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

The Knavesmire and access roads are still flooded

be updated regularly.

Flood warnings

The Environment Agency gives flood warnings for rivers and coasts – see current flood warnings via the Environment Agency’s current flooding information.

Homes at risk from flooding

Find out how to protect your home from floods on the Environment Agency flooding website.

If you live in a flood-risk area you can get warnings sent direct to you by phone, text message or email – contact the Environment Agency’s Floodline on tel: 0345 9881188 for more information.

Public Health

City of York Council has a public health responsibility and works closely with Public Health England, who have a variety of advice for those affected by flooding including:

• Advice for the public
• Flooding and mental health essential information for frontline responders
• Flooding questions and answers

How to clean your home safely

This leaflet provides important health advice and some basic precautions to keep you and your family safe while cleaning up your flooded home. Public Health England leaflet: How to clean up your home safely (PDF).

Insurance

The Association of British Insurers have some great advice for those recovering from floods. If you have been affected please contact your insurer as they are open and waiting to receive your calls. Information is also available on the insurance process

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. 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