Computer tracks melting snow to prevent flooding

TECHNOLOGY is being employed to monitor the region’s snow melt and prevent flooding.

A dedicated computer system is being used to track the thaw across Yorkshire.

An Environment Agency spokeswoman said: “The technology allows us to analyse variables such as the depth of snow and how much water is trapped inside the snow and ice to see whether there will be any significant issues with flooding.”

Despite the heavy snowfall, the Environment Agency is not predicting any major flooding for the region – unless there is torrential rain during the thaw.

Councils responsible for flooding blackspots have nonetheless drawn up contingency plans.

In York, the city council has loaded 1,000 sandbags on to pallets for easy distribution. A further 30,000 bags have been ordered and can be filled with sand at a rate of 1,000 an hour.

The Environment Agency has stressed that snow normally only produces small amounts of water. Ten inches of snow would produce just an inch of rainfall.