Calderdale floods report: Recovery continuing in the upper Calder Valley

After the initial emergency response on December 26, where over 20 people were rescued from rising flood waters, crews spent the next several days pumping out flooded homes, businesses, and nurseries in Todmorden and Hebden Bridge.

Last weekend saw another flood alert, and Red Watch were on hand to help deploy dozens of sandbags in areas of Todmorden where flooding was expected again.

Since then, Fire fighters have been assisting their partners at Calderdale Council by removing flood damaged items from outside peoples homes. Areas in Walsden, Shade, Charlestown and Mytholmroyd have been cleared by crews using their 4x4 Land Rover and trailer, which is normally used for dealing with wildfire incidents.

A fire service spokesperson stated- “The recovery process is still underway for hundreds of affected people, and we’re happy to assist with that. We’ve been out and about in the area, clearing up rubbish and offering advice to those who were unfortunate enough to be flooded out. It’s not always about blue flashing lights. It’s about helping people recover.”

West Yorkshire Fire Service Assistant Chief Officer Dave Walton also paid a special visit to Rastrick firefighters to say well done to the blue watch who carried out a flood rescue of a motorist in Mytholmroyd.

It was one of the most dramatic moments of the Boxing Day floods which swept the district.