Flooding report – February 2020 wettest on record

£4.9 million cost for pumping station to protect Fordlands Road area.

It cost the City of York council £180,000 to respond to and recover from the floods which took place in the City in February.  This was the wettest February on record, with the most flood warnings issued in any one day across England. Rainfall fell on already saturated ground increasing the impacts.

The Council will consider a report on the problem at a meeting next week.

There is some debate about the apparently conflicting advice issued by local agencies and the information included on government river gauge web sites.

Generally flood defences held well although there were issues in the Fulford/Fordlands Road/Germany Beck area. A separate report on flood prevention plans for that area can be read by clicking here.

The preferred option would include the construction of a £4.9 million pumping station. If funding for the project can be found the work could start on construction next summer.

The meeting will also consider the latest Environment Agency report on its flood prevention works programme

Environment Agency Work Programme 2020

Drainage ditch plea

It is the time of year when drainage ditches and becks can become overgrown. When water volumes are generally low, it is important that the opportunity is taken to clear vegetation and debris from the channels.

That is particularly challenging at present because of coronavirus restrictions.

We were pleased to see that local Councillor Andrew Waller is pressing the Marston Moor IDB to ensure that maintenance work continues.

Failure to do so could lead to flooding when wet weather returns.

Weed growth impeding Hob Moor (Holgate) beck

Recovery fund made available for flood affected businesses in York

A partnership between City of York Council and Make It York has secured funding from the Local Enterprise Partnership for businesses affected by the recent floods.

A grant of up to £2,500 per business has been made available by the Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) for flood incurred damage costs that are not covered by business insurance policies.

Council officers are going door-to-door, visiting businesses who have been affected by the recent flooding to provide an update on the current situation in York and answer any potential queries.

As part of the engagement, businesses are being notified of the additional funding to support the clean-up and help alleviate costs incurred by flood water.

The business recovery fund is open for application for flood affected businesses and eligibility will be determined by evidence provided. Funding is not guaranteed for flood damaged businesses.

To submit an application form via Make It York, please visit: www.makeityork.com or email business@makeityork.com

Businesses and residents are also invited to attend flood drop-in sessions to discuss support before, during and after a flood in the near future:

  • Tower Gardens and King’s Staith

16 March | Quaker Meeting House, YO1 9RL | 5-7pm

  • Naburn

17 March | Naburn Village Hall, YO19 4RS | 5-7pm

  • Fulford

18 March | Fulford School (Main Hall), YO10 4FY | 5-7 pm

  • Skeldergate and Clementhorpe

23 March | Southlands Methodist Church, YO23 1NX| 5-7pm

  • Acaster Malbis

24 March | Acaster Malbis Village Hall, YO23 2TR | 5 -7pm

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York residents invited to share their experiences at flood drop-in sessions

Residents and businesses in York are invited to drop-in sessions in their local neighbourhoods to discuss recent flooding events.

As the city continues the clean-up operation following the rise in river levels caused by Storm Ciara and Storm Dennis, local residents and businesses are encouraged to share their feedback and experiences of recent events to help the council build upon the city’s resilience and improve local preparedness for the future.

Representatives from Emergency Planning, the Flood Risk Management Team, Community Involvement Officers and Councillors will be among those representing the council at the events across the city.

The upcoming drop-in sessions will be held in the following venues:

Fishergate: 11 March | Christian Science Church, YO10 4DE | 6-8pm

Tower Gardens and King’s Staith: 16 March | Quaker Meeting House, YO1 9RL | 5-7pm

Naburn: 17 March | Naburn Village Hall, YO19 4RS | 5-7pm

Fulford: 18 March | Fulford School (Main Hall), YO10 4FY | 5-7 pm (Presentation by the Environment Agency about Fordlands Road area at 6pm)

Skeldergate and Clementhorpe: 23 March | Southlands Methodist Church, YO23 1NX| 5-7pm

Acaster Malbis: 24 March | Acaster Malbis Village Hall, YO23 2TR | 5 -7pm

Cllr Keith Aspden, Leader of City of York Council said;

“I look forward to meeting residents and business owners across the city so we can listen and learn from the recent flood events.
“This is a great opportunity to share with us what you thought worked, how we can improve protecting the city, or the best way we can keep you up to date with the latest information.
“We recognise different areas have very different experiences and concerns, so we are holding drop-ins at key locations across the city so local residents can share their local and specific concerns.
“Thank you to all the residents and businesses who have already shared their positive encouragement and useful feedback with us.”

Across the three week period of high river levels the council had:

  • crews focusing on community areas to start the clean-up operation – crews have washed down areas using sanitising disinfectant where appropriate
  • dealt with over 60 dangerous or storm damaged trees since Storm Ciara
  • deployed over 6,000 sandbags and 200 one-tonne sandbags across the city to help protect the most vulnerable properties.
  • installed around 25 pumps to clear water across the city
  • recycled any plastic sandbags. Contaminated sandbags will be disposed of through our contaminated waste removal. Sand will be reused at the council depot
  • cleared over 300 gullies, swept roads and cleared drains.
  • tankers were on standby for any surface water flooding incidents that occurred
  • regularly updated the www.york.gov.uk/flood page to share the latest updates and advice

York Council blocking new applications to Flood Relief Fund?

No new applications are being considered for the York Disaster Fund. The Fund was set up after the 2000 floods and is understood to have several hundred thousand pounds available to help those whose homes have been flooded.

It was last used after the 2015 floods although it was then criticised for a lack of urgency in deploying the resources available. Homeowners needed help in the hours and days immediately following the flood but it was to be several weeks before any payments were made.

Thankfully this year relatively few homes have been flooded. Enquiries are referred to the Two Ridings charity web site.  https://www.tworidingscf.org.uk/news/ Their website is short on information while the Councils web site lacks advice for on the financial support available for flooded businesses.

Meanwhile one Councillor has had the foresight to remind Yorkshire Water that they will need to re-bait their sewers and drains to prevent rat infestations. The old bait is likely to have been washed away in the floods with some rodents being forced into gardens and homes.

River levels falling in York

The River Ouse peaked at 4.4 metres overnight and levels are now falling. The flood defences held. They are likely to remain in place for a few days.

It may be the end of the week before all riverside paths are reopened and cleared of debris.

The City owes a debt of gratitude to the Council staff, Environment Agency personnel and other organisation who successfully minimised the effect that the poor weather has had on the City over the last 2 weeks.

Issues in west York reported – paths, flooding and verge damage

  • Uneven paths on Ridgeway
  • Trip hazard on Askham Lane
  • and another on Askham Lane
  • Not surprisingly with the recent weather there is a lot of ponding on paths. This one on Grange Lane
  • and this on Chapelfields Road
  • A lot of verges being wrecked by inconsiderate drivers.