Floods Latest: Warning to only make essential journeys

Floods in Brighouse December 2015. Picture by Stuart Black

Council staff, emergency services, volunteers and partners have been working around the clock to help communities recover from the unprecedented levels of flooding in the borough.

River levels have now returned to near normal levels, however, there has been significant damage to walls and flood defences and there is still debris in the rivers.

A Calderdale Council spokesperson said: “We are aware of major highways issues at sites such as Elland Bridge and the A646 in Upper Valley, and we continue to inspect all built structures along the Calder Valley to check that they are safe and undamaged.

“We urge people to only make essential journeys around the affected areas to allow the clean up to continue and to keep roads clear for emergency services and recovery vehicles. The Council is focusing their efforts on repairing and managing this.”

Damaged goods and debris which have been left on pavements throughout the affected areas is being collected.

Soldiers have also been drafted in to help keep damaged walls and key flood defences safe.

Among preparations for this possible further heavy rainfall, hundreds of sandbags have been provided to areas identified as most vulnerable to flooding.

Unfilled sacks and sand have been made available from the local community hubs so that residents and volunteers can make smaller sandbags for their own use.

Communities continue to pull together to help those affected by flooding and bases have been established at Todmorden Town Hall, Hebden Bridge Town Hall, Christ Church in Sowerby Bridge and Best Practice Training in Mytholmroyd. The Council has already announced that it will suspend Council tax for up to six months for those unable to occupy their property, and offer business rate relief for up to three months for affected businesses.

Calderdale Council is updating their FAQs regularly as the situation develops

Residents can keep up to date with information and advice at eyeoncalderdale.com and by following @calderdale on twitter and Calderdale Council on Facebook.

Further information and to sign up for flood alerts can be found here or by calling Floodline on 0345 988 1188.