With the waters receding, York is beginning a massive clean-up operation – as the city rallies round to help flood victims.
City of York Council is offering various support and advice to those hit by the floods (see below) while being part of huge operation to get York cleaned up and fully open again.
Emergency service teams, the local authorities, more than 600 soldiers and 125 mountain rescue personnel took part in the major operation which led to 250 people being evacuated from their homes.
Council-run rest centres provided temporary accommodation for 115 people as part of the emergency response.
So far the emphasis of the multi-agency operation has been to protect life and property while the Environment Agency works with partner agencies to get the flood water under control.
A North Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said on Tuesday (December 29):
Assistant Chief Constable Ken McIntosh is chairing a strategic co-ordination group in response to the flooding.
He said:
Despite the difficulties we are facing, I can assure people we are collectively working hard to overcome these issues and we will do everything in our power for a return to normality as soon as possible.
BT engineers restored power to its Stonebow exchange on Monday (December 28) and got most of the phonelines and broadband services working again.
A bit of water won’t stop us
Mor Music at the height of the floods and the devastation left inside
One of the hundreds of properties inundated by the water was MOR Music in Franklins Yard, Fossgate.
About 4ft of water invaded the building, leaving beautiful new guitars, drum kits, speakers and other musical items filthy and ruined.
Phil O’Dea, who runs the business with wife Lynne, told YorkMix:
I did wade in yesterday and took the photos that you’ve probably seen and we’ve managed to save some of the stock.
To be fair when the flooding started we were more concerned with getting the guests from the adjacent holiday lets evacuated which we managed to do with the creative use of pallets and very wet trousers!
He said people had responded magnificently:
A bit of water won’t stop us.
Support from across the city
The Facebook group York Floods 2015: Help For The Affected had topped 13K people and offers of support and donations had flooded in.
One group member has put together a list of all the places accepting donations for flood victims. You can access it here.
City of York Council has put together a special section of its website detailing all the help on offer.
This includes advice on the disposal of ruined items and benefit entitlements.
Affected residents can also apply to two funds:
York’s Disaster Fund
Residents of the City of York whose homes have been flooded, who are on a low income, have little capital and who are not adequately insured, may be eligible for help from York’s Disaster Fund, a registered charity which was established after flooding in York in 2000.
Applications to the charity may be made at any time. Businesses are not eligible for help from this fund. For more information call the council on 01904 551550.
Disaster Recovery Fund
The recovery fund is supported by Government funding for residents and businesses to pay for additional measures over and above the costs of repairs that would normally be covered by insurance.
Support is available to support small and medium sized businesses to develop and implement business recovery plans.
Which roads are open and closed
Roads closed
Fulford area
- A19 Fulford Rd/Selby Rd
- Fordlands Road
- Inner Ring Road area
Tower Street
- Paragon St (alternative route via Barbican Rd, Kent St and Fishergate is available)
City Centre
- Skeldergate
- Walmgate (closed at Walmgate Bar, but access is possible via Navigation Rd)
South Bank area
- Knavesmire Rd
Roads reopened
Haxby Road is now clear through to the city centre.
Huntington Road is clear between A1237 and the Link Road. Closed in bound of this – Haleys Terrace to Monkgate.
Heworth Green to Monkgate route is clear in both directions at Monkgate roundabout (Flood water on outbound side but passable)
Foss Bank and Layerthorpe/Foss Islands Rd junction is closed.
A19, Clifton Green, Water End and Water Lane clear.
Fishergate gyratory
Monks Cross Link
Melrosegate
Stonebow
Peasholme Green
Layerthorpe
Tang Hall Lane
Bad Bargain Lane
Hempland Lane
Piccadilly
Merchantgate
Navigation Rd
Foss Islands Rd
Walmgate between Merchantgate and Navigation Rd