Campaign to warn of flood danger

The Environment Agency and other agencies are behind the drive to warn of the dangers of flash flooding and to advise people how they can be prepared to reduce their personal risk.

Community meetings are to be held to help people and businesses develop flood action plans, starting with an event on Tuesday in Hebden Bridge, which was badly hit by last year’s deluge.

The Environment Agency and Calderdale Council will be on hand to speak to residents affected by last summer’s floods and give advice on how to best prepare their homes.

Oliver Harmar, flood and coastal risk manager for the Environment Agency, said: “Flash floods carry immense power. They can move rocks, tear out trees, sweep away vehicles and destroy buildings and bridges in minutes and they can be a significant threat to life.

“We want to increase awareness of the dangers in vulnerable areas and give people some guidance as to how they can develop their own action plan to keep themselves and their families safe if such events occur.”

At Hebden Bridge, Mytholmroyd and Sowerby Bridge, rivers reached the highest levels ever recorded last year.

Heavy rain in June and July caused flooding to around 800 properties in West and South Yorkshire, mostly in Calderdale. Homes and businesses in neighbouring Mytholmroyd, Todmorden and Eastwood were also severely affected but no lives were lost.

Since last year’s floods, the Environment Agency, Calderdale Council, the Canal and Rivers Trust and Yorkshire Water have together spent more than £3m repairing damage caused by the storms.

Next week’s event will be held in Crown Square in Hebden Bridge town centre on June 18 from 10am to 3pm.