Repeat of last year’s flooding misery in York unlikely (From York Press)

Repeat of last year’s flooding misery in York unlikely

10:00am Tuesday 29th January 2013 in News By Mike Laycock, Chief reporter

ENVIRONMENT bosses believe York will avoid a repeat of the severe flooding of last autumn, despite further rain combining with snow melting upstream in the Dales.

The River Ouse peaked yesterday at about 3.5 metres above normal summer levels in the city – a metre lower than it reached in November and 1.5 metres lower than last September, when the city experienced severe flooding.

The Environment Agency said it did not expect a band of rain which crossed the region yesterday, or further rainfall expected today, to cause levels to rise any higher. However, a spokesman said it was keeping an eye on the River Derwent, which was still rising yesterday afternoon.

The latest warnings came as people at risk of flooding in Ryedale were urged to visit a flooding roashow next month.

The National Flood Forum roashow will be staged at the Asda supermarket carpark in Norton from noon to 6pm on Monday.

The Forum, a national charity, said it aims to support the recovery of flooding victims, improve resilience of communities to future flood threat and highlight the need for adequate flood prevention investment.

“The National Flood Forum is independent and understands the trauma people go through after flooding in their properties,” said spokeswoman Heather Shepherd.

“At this event, residents will be able to come and talk about how they feel, and what happened to them but also gain advice and information including insurance.”

She said support for the roadshow had come from Ryedale District Council, North Yorkshire County Council, Yorkshire Water, the Environment Agency and the emergency services.

“The roadshow will provide another way in which the community can feed into the multi-agency review of recent flooding events, which North Yorkshire County Council is leading. The review aims to gather evidence from the widest range of sources possible, so that future planning and investment can be focused in the right places.”

Coun Linda Cowling, leader of Ryedale District Council, said: “The views of people who visit the roadshow are vital in ensuring that the multi-agencies can continue to work together for the benefit of the local community. I urge Ryedale residents to visit the roadshow.”