Family 
flooded for 
sixth time in just four 
months

The firm initially claimed diesel had been stolen from two emergency pumps but was forced to admit the blunder which left butcher Nikki Hinds and his wife Karon underwater again following previous repairs to their home in Castlegate, Malton.

Flood problems are continuing to hit parts of North and East Yorkshire amid warnings of continuing threats posed by high river and groundwater levels.

Many communities affected have been trying to get back on their feet after serious flooding in November. Thirteen flood warnings were in place last night in the region along the rivers Ouse, Derwent, Aire and Hull and by Cock Beck at Stutton, near Tadcaster in North Yorkshire.

In a statement, Yorkshire Water apologised for the latest flooding to affect Mr and Mrs Hinds.

“Contrary to our earlier belief that fuel had been stolen from our generator, we can now confirm that the generator was not refuelled,” said a spokesman. “On this occasion we did not met our high standards of operational performance and are taking this very seriously.

“We would like to assure residents that both pumps are now back up and running and we will continue to do everything we can to support the on-going multi-agency operation in the town.”

The Ouse in the centre of York, which has flooded several times in the past few weeks, is more than 13ft (4m) above its average summer level.

Pumps were being used to clear water from pubs, restaurants, homes and hotels along its banks yesterday.

Many of the businesses hit were in the process of being renovated and have not been able to reopen since November’s deluge.

Residents in several areas along the Ouse to the south of the city, including Fulford, Acaster Selby, Acaster Malbis and Naburn, were either flooded or cut off by standing water.

Valerie Brown, who has lived in Acaster Malbis for 50 years, was mopping up dark brown floodwater in her riverside cottage.

“We were flooded at the end of October, at the end of November, on Christmas Eve it threatened – it came right on to the doorstep – and then again at New Year,” she said. “It’s been a different New Year. I can’t recommend it.

“The ironic thing is we ordered floodgates. If we’d had them last night we’d have been fine.”

Tourists staying on a caravan site in nearby Naburn said they were marooned, unable to get off the site, after knee-high water engulfed roads through the village.

One said: “We can’t move. I was meant to be back at work today but we can’t go anywhere.”

Water levels have dropped dramatically in Burton Fleming in East Yorkshire which has been among the places worst hit by flooding. Although two streets remain submerged, overall levels have dropped around 10 inches.

Parish councillor Keith Wells said work to clear out the swollen Gypsey Race had helped relieve the village.

“But is we get some heavy rainfall, even a day’s worth, the water levels could start to rise again and that’s the worrying part,” he said.

“There are now people who can have the confidence to go to bed and have six or seven hours sleep whereas before they have only been catnapping.”

John Skidmore, head of streetscene services at East Riding Council, said reports of potholes had risen significantly because of saturated ground conditions.

The council is expecting to hold a further drop-in session at the village hall on Saturday.

It is continuing to monitor the situation across the East Riding.

Pumps are in place at Stamford Bridge, Rawcliffe Bridge, Willow Grove, Beverley, and Hornsea and checks are being made over concerns in Cherry Burton, Kilham, Kellythorpe, Snaith and Driffield.