Flood victims must not be forgotten during crisis: The Yorkshire Post says

While most public and political attention is understandably focused elsewhere during the current crisis, it is important that other vital issues requiring important action do not get forgotten about.

One such matter is the severe flooding which hit Yorkshire earlier this year following storms on three consecutive weekends and affected more than 100 homes and businesses.

It is heartening to hear that two investigations have now been launched into what happened and the lessons that can be learnt to mitigate future problems - with North Yorkshire County Council following on from East Riding of Yorkshire Council in beginning an inquiry. The latter is asking residents to provide information about how they were affected.

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North Yorkshire County Council is working with other authorities – including Yorkshire Water, the Environment Agency, district councils, internal drainage boards and land owners - to gain a greater understanding of how houses, businesses and roads were affected. Information sharing will also take place with counterparts in East Riding as part of the process.

A man looks out at the flood waters approaching his business on the banks of the River Ouse in York, North Yorkshire - 18th February 2020, in the aftermath of Storm Dennis. Picture: SWNSA man looks out at the flood waters approaching his business on the banks of the River Ouse in York, North Yorkshire - 18th February 2020, in the aftermath of Storm Dennis. Picture: SWNS
A man looks out at the flood waters approaching his business on the banks of the River Ouse in York, North Yorkshire - 18th February 2020, in the aftermath of Storm Dennis. Picture: SWNS

Findings are expected to be published later this year when it is hoped the worst of the coronavirus pandemic will have passed.

It obviously remains to be seen what concrete action that better protect people’s homes and livelihoods from flooding will result from the studies.

But for now they undoubtedly send an important message to people who have been victims of flooding; even at this unprecedented time their plight has not been forgotten.

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Editor’s note: first and foremost - and rarely have I written down these words with more sincerity - I hope this finds you well.

Volunteers helping the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority repair flood damage in Swaledale in February.


Picture: Bruce RollinsonVolunteers helping the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority repair flood damage in Swaledale in February.


Picture: Bruce Rollinson
Volunteers helping the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority repair flood damage in Swaledale in February. Picture: Bruce Rollinson

Almost certainly you are here because you value the quality and the integrity of the journalism produced by The Yorkshire Post’s journalists - almost all of which live alongside you in Yorkshire, spending the wages they earn with Yorkshire businesses - who last year took this title to the industry watchdog’s Most Trusted Newspaper in Britain accolade.

And that is why I must make an urgent request of you: as advertising revenue declines, your support becomes evermore crucial to the maintenance of the journalistic standards expected of The Yorkshire Post. If you can, safely, please buy a paper or take up a subscription. We want to continue to make you proud of Yorkshire’s National Newspaper but we are going to need your help.

Postal subscription copies can be ordered by calling 0330 4030066 or by emailing [email protected]. Vouchers, to be exchanged at retail sales outlets - our newsagents need you, too - can be subscribed to by contacting subscriptions on 0330 1235950 or by visiting www.localsubsplus.co.uk where you should select The Yorkshire Post from the list of titles available.

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If you want to help right now, download our tablet app from the App / Play Stores. Every contribution you make helps to provide this county with the best regional journalism in the country.

Sincerely. Thank you.

James Mitchinson

Editor

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