As the worst flooding for six years cut off the village of Naburn, ADAM NICHOLS took the plunge and spoke to residents about their temporary

isolation

NABURN claimed new status as an island just 12 hours after householders heard a flood was on its way.

A phone call in the early hours of yesterday was the first clue for many of the splendid isolation to come.

Today roads into the village were gradually becoming passable after the worst floods seen for six years.

The centre of the village had remained unchanged.

But any effort to leave last night was met by a lake of water, a moat encircling the settlement and barring the path of anybody but those willing to risk the welfare of their cars.

Enterprising local teenagers were last night kept busy pushing stalled vehicles from their watery graves - and gratefully accepting owners' financial thanks.

Adults stood by the water side, watching in amazement as water levels rose towards their peak - and wondering if they would get to work the following day.

"I drove through it earlier today, but I certainly wouldn't want to do it again," said Catherine Gunson, who lives in Front Street.

"If you own an ordinary car then you can't get through. I suppose we are trapped in the village."

The scene isn't one unusual to the inhabitants of Naburn, which nestles on the banks of the River Ouse.

But what has amazed residents is that it has happened in June rather than the depths of winter.

"We've never seen anything like this ever before, not at this time of year," said Mrs Gunson.

"But you feel a sense of community spirit. Half the village is out here watching the waters rise. There are people I've never seen before."

Colin Gordon, from St Matthew's Close, was evaluating the depth of the water - and wondering if he could brave the drive to Leeds today where he works as a teacher.

He said: "I have to get there, and I reckon I'll brave it. But I'll be down here at 6.30am to see what it's like then."

The Blacksmith's Arms, usually lively on a summer evening, last night suffered from the village's new found isolation.

Staff had been unable to get in to work, food was off the menu and a darts match had been cancelled.

Fewer than ten regulars were perched around the bar.

Licensee Phil Raistrick said: "This is the first flood I've seen here, but the regulars are very calm about it. They say the pub's not been flooded for 300 years, it's not likely to be now.

"We are cut off, but it's unlikely any properties are going to be affected by it so it could be worse."

The owner of Naburn Caravan and Camping Park is preparing for a loss in trade after part of his site went underwater.

John Curtis was forced to wake campers at 2.30am yesterday after fearing the water was going to rise.

He said: "I would have been left with egg on my face if I had been wrong. As it is it was lucky I acted, otherwise those caravans would have been underwater."

adam.nichols@ycp.co.uk

Cameraman stunned by scale of deluge

DRAMATIC flooded scenes unfolded for award-winning Evening Press photographer Mike Tipping as he took to the skies to capture the deluge.

The most alarming scenes were at Naburn, looking out towards Cawood, with the A64 cutting a path through a newly-formed lake.

Mike said York didn't look too badly affected from the air, but Naburn Lock was clearly submerged.

He said: "You really wouldn't think it was June, it looked more like a typical January scene, after the snows have melted.

"From previous shoots I've done, the River Ouse normally looks like a snake winding its way through the scenery. The best way I can describe it at the moment is a big pregnant snake."

Mike said several caravans were under water at Naburn caravan site, and several large trees were also largely submerged.

He added: "While I was up there the sky looked like it might not have finished just yet. It looked pretty menacing in parts."