Advice on offer for those hit by floods

Towns and villages in the Calder Valley were among the worst affected areas after torrential downpours which saw a month’s rain falling in 24 hours in some parts of the region. Hebden Bridge, Mytholmroyd, Sowerby Bridge and Todmorden were all hit by flooding.

This week staff from the Environment Agency will be working with the National Flood Forum, which offers support and advice to those that have been affected or are at risk, speaking to residents in Calderdale whose homes and businesses were flooded last month.

The team is holding drop-in sessions with partner organisations at Todmorden Market Place, on the paved area between the Methodist Church and the Rose Tree Garden, today; Hebden Bridge Visitor Centre car park tomorrow and St Michael’s Church car park at Mytholmroyd on Friday. All drop-in sessions will be held noon-7pm.

Representatives from Calderdale Council, Yorkshire Water, West Yorkshire Police, and West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue service will also be at the sessions. They will be on hand to answer people’s questions, and gather further information about how the flooding affected specific areas.

Jonathan Moxon, area flood resilience team leader said: “We would urge anyone who was recently flooded or are worried about flooding to visit the team in Calderdale this week.”

Heavy rain fell on Friday, June 22, on to already saturated catchments, with up to 50mm falling in 12 hours.

Hebden Bridge recorded its highest ever river level at 3.311m, some 0.285m higher than June 2000, and flood warnings were issued to 177 properties in the area. For flooding information visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk/flood