Latest Evening update from East Riding Council on Monday 21 December:
Work is continuing on a multi-agency response from the Humber Local Resilience Forum to a flooding incident on the Aire & Calder Navigation, after part of an embankment breached yesterday (Sunday, 20 December) – causing the flooding of several nearby fields.
Staff from the Canal & River Trust – which manages the affected part of the Aire & Calder – are being supported on site by East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Humberside Police, Humberside Fire & Rescue, the Environment Agency, Snaith & Cowick Town Council and the Internal Drainage Board.
Water levels continue to stabilise and the risk of flooding to properties in East Cowick and West Cowick, south of Selby, has reduced.
Partners are also continuing to monitor water levels near to Pollington – but the risk to properties is, again, low.
However, the Environment Agency issued two flood warnings for the area which remain in place.
Low cloud/fog has meant that the helicopter, which will be used to deliver the aggregate bags to the site for the remedial work to plug the breach and stabilise the bank, has been unable to arrive today due to issues with visibility.
It is intended to begin these works tomorrow (Tuesday) when the weather improves and the helicopter can fly.
Darren Downs, chief superintendent at Humberside Police, said: “Partners are continuing to work together to respond to this incident and I’d like to thank the local community for their support and cooperation.
“Pumping operations will continue throughout the night to ensure the incident remains stable and until we undertake the necessary repairs to the embankment tomorrow (Tuesday, 22 December).
“Given the flooding incident that affected this area earlier in the year, we fully appreciate the concerns of local people and I would like to reassure residents and businesses that all partners involved will continue to have staff, equipment and resources on site for as long as is needed to respond to this incident.
“While flood warnings remain in place, the risk of flooding to properties has reduced. We will continue to monitor the situation overnight and will provide further updates to ensure residents are fully informed as work progresses.”
Whilst no properties have been flooded and water levels have stabilised, if needed, East Riding of Yorkshire Council has put contingency plans in place for the provision of a rest centre and transport. Contingency plans are also being put in place to ensure the safety of vulnerable residents in the area and they will be contacted by the council directly.
Brigette Giles, head of digital, change and technology at East Riding of Yorkshire Council and emergency control centre manager, said: “This is a challenging situation and the council and its partners will remain on the scene for as long as is needed in order to support our residents and businesses. ”
For more information head to the East Riding Council website