RESCUE and clean-up efforts are under way across the district as the flood water slowly starts to subside across the district.

Bradford Council engineers are checking around 300 bridges, including some which have been damaged by the water and objects floating in it.

CLICK HERE TO SEE A GALLERY OF READERS' FLOOD PICTURES

Council leader David Green said staff from all departments had been working round the clock to help people in crisis from the floods.

“We’ve had people from all our departments working out there all of Boxing Day, Sunday and they will be all this week. We’ve been working closely with the Environment Agency and the police.

“Elected members have also been out in their communities particularly Keighley, Shipley and Bingley trying to help and I’ve been taking calls and passing them on to our Emergency Co-ordinator who has been working 24 hours a day.

“The problem is that it’s been a totally unprecedented experience. We’ve had a month’s rain in 24 hours. I don’t think anyone could have prepared or predicted what was going to happen. We’ve had lorries out with sandbags and drainage engineers," he said.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

The view over Roberts Park, Saltaire. Picture by Simon Turner - sct73 Aerial Imagery

“I appreciate there will be some people who feel they are not getting the service they individually need but we are doing our best and will get round to everyone in time.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Firefighters at Mill Hey Haworth. Picture by Richard Peel 

The emergency number for people to contact Bradford Council  for help is 01274 431000. Calls will be collated and linked to emergency teams on the ground.

In the Bradford area, around 400 homes were evacuated in Stockbridge, Keighley, Bingley and Ilkley.

A police spokeswoman said 100 soldiers were deployed to help emergency services in Calderdale and Leeds.

Assistant Chief Constable Angela Williams said: "The flooding situation we have experienced in West Yorkshire is quite simply the worst we have seen in 70 years, according to our partners in the Environment Agency.

"As a result we declared a major incident yesterday evening and received support from the Ministry of Defence who deployed 100 soldiers to assist with emergency and recovery efforts in Calderdale and Leeds.

"I want to reassure residents that emergency services are doing all they can and we will continue to do so until this situation improves."

She added: "We want to thank members of the public for their support working with us, in what has been a truly dreadful and dangerous situation."

Ms Williams advised residents to stay upstairs in flooded properties, to avoid driving through flooding and not to play in flood waters.

Around 100 people watched at Baildon Bridge as a crane lifted shipping containers from the swollen river.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

An overturned car at Baildon Bridge on Sunday

A flood alert was still in place for the River Aire today. The Environment Agency (EA) said the middle catchment area of the river, which covers areas including Esholt, Apperley Bridge, Shipley, Nab Wood, Bingley, Crossflats, Worth Village and Keighley.

This morning, an EA spokesman said: "Following heavy and persistent rain from Friday lunchtime, river levels have responded and are high.

"The forecast is for the rain to continue falling on the upper catchments for the next 24 hours.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Flooding at Apperley Bridge

"Please be aware that there will be lulls in the rainfall which could see rivers starting to drop and then rise again as the rain resumes. Catchments are already saturated and will react quickly to any significant rainfall within a short period of time."

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

An Environment Agency map showing in red areas where flooding is possible

This afternoon, the EA said it was continuing to respond to flooding incidents across the Yorkshire area.

"As of 3pm today (27th), a total of 18 severe flood warnings have been issued, as well as 62 flood warnings," a spokesman said.

A significant number of properties have been flooded in the Calder and Aire Valleys, and river levels are continuing to rise on the lower River Aire.

"Our thoughts are with all of those who have been affected by flooding. As well as continuing to support communities affected by flooding, our operational focus is now moving to the lower catchments - York, Castleford, and other communities on the Lower Aire."

Northern Powergrid has been working to restore power to 37,000 homes across West Yorkshire, with all but 2,600 yet to be restored. 

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Rescuers at Baildon Bridge on Saturday. Picture by TimSmithPhotos.com

A spokesman for the company today said: “Customers in the north area of Leeds were affected by flooding to our Kirkstall C substation on Saturday evening which caused three connected primary substations to lose supply.

“Whilst this substation remains half immersed in water and remains vulnerable, all 27,000 customers fed from this substation have been successfully re-routed on alternative supplies to restore their power. 

"The River Aire’s water levels are believed to have peaked overnight and we have teams waiting on site with the emergency services and local authority partners to gain access as soon as it is safe to do so in order to assess the damage and plan the permanent repair efforts.

“In Leeds city centre we have five distribution substations currently under water affecting power supplies to 138 customers.  Engineers are on site ready to start work to carry out these repairs once the waters have subsided.

CLICK HERE TO SEE A GALLERY OF READERS' FLOOD PICTURES

“Our engineers have worked through the night in the Upper Calder Valley area to restore supplies to over a 1,000 customers affected.  A further 1,700 customers are still without power.

“Our restorations efforts in the Calder Valley have been hampered by road closures in the area preventing access to our flooded assets.  We have 26 small distribution substations under water with a further 12 currently being assessed.  Water levels reached their peak overnight and our onsite teams are waiting to gain access as soon as the waters recede.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

The River Worth at Providence Lane, Haworth, on Saturday. Picture by Richard Peel 

"Some roads are starting to open and our engineers are inspecting our assets to coordinate repairs wherever possible.  We do expect to be able to restore supplies to some of these substations today but it is unlikely that all will become accessible pushing repair efforts into tomorrow.  Further updates will be provided to our customers when they become known."

Shipley MP Philip Davies has raised the issue with Floods Minister Rory Stewart.

The Conservative called Mr Stewart to ask for more help for the many people in his constituency who have been flooded and for better defences to ensure that this does not happen again.

Mr Stewart later confirmed to Mr Davies in a further phone call between the two that the problems in Shipley had been raised at the COBRA meeting and that as a result the military had been asked if they could help out in Shipley as well as the many other areas they are already assisting.

CLICK HERE TO SEE A GALLERY OF READERS' FLOOD PICTURES

Mr Davies said "It is absolutely heartbreaking for so many people to face this terrible situation - particularly at Christmas - and I wanted to ensure that my constituents are getting the best possible assistance.

"I am very grateful to the Minister for making sure the needs of the Shipley constituency were escalated to the highest level.  Given that such a massive area of the North of England has been affected by unprecedented floods I appreciate that all resources are stretched thinly, but I wanted to make sure everything possible was being done to help my constituents".

Mr Stewart also confirmed to Mr Davies that Bradford Council would be fully reimbursed for the costs incurred as a result of the flooding - in the same way that Cumbria was when it was the first affected. 

He also promised that the Shipley constituency would be part of a wider review - in conjunction with the Environment Agency - which is starting straight away to see what future flood defences are required.

Hard to believe this is my little home town of Brighouse! #flooding pic.twitter.com/Ml6c84f56v

Across England and Wales there are 24 severe flood warnings, 152 flood warnings, 118 flood alerts and 153 warnings have been lifted.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Hazel Aryn sent us this picture taken in Saltaire

The flooding has led to a miserable Christmas weekend for many across the Bradford, Kirklees, Calderdale and Leeds areas.

Esholt, which was hit earlier this month, suffered again, with resident Kate Whitham saying it was the worst she'd seen in her 27 years.

A Youtube video of the flooding in Saltaire and Shipley posted by Geoff Tynan

Paula Poulter, 81, had been staying at her daughter's in Old Main Street, Bingley, for Christmas when she woke yesterday to look out of her bedroom window and see the flood waters rising over the back garden.

"It was shocking. I've never seen anything as bad as that before. Police were knocking on people's doors telling them to move their stuff upstairs quick," she said.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Mandy Jackson sent us this picture of Baildon Bridge from the River Aire

 

One man who had gone to Denton Bridge in Ilkley to look at the raging river said people had been ignoring road closure signs at Manor Bends at Ben Rhydding and still trying to drive through.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Flood water at the Victoria Mill complex of apartments in Saltaire

"Some idiots were still trying to get through the water. One went through and then blue lighters had to follow it when it got stuck.

"Water was about to come over the toll bridge. Usually it's about six foot below it. A tree had been brought down and it was bashing up against the side. It was horrendous," he said.

The town was cut off by road closures.

 

James Kirkcaldy living on the new Red Holt estate in Ingrow was desperately trying to organise sandbags for himself and neighbours as the waters rose and said some people had organised removal vans to move their belongings out rather than take any chances.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Emma Cummins sent us this picture of her home in Cullingworth

In Bingley a support group has been set-up by volunteers, based at the scout hut.

Bingley Flood Support Group has been collecting donations and has a Facebook page offering help.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Alison Ingleby sent us this picture of Green Lane at Baildon

A message on it from Michelle Chapman says: "We will be splitting people up and requesting they assist with door knocking to see if people are ok.

"We will require some people to remain at the scout hut to assist us with admin and collections etc.

"We will be seeking advice too from the emergency services.

 

"We really are doing this as a team and are by no means experts so please take that into consideration during the organisation!"

Bingley Parish Church was open on Sunday night for anyone stranded by the floods.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Luke Swasby and his partner Debbie Foster being rescued with thier dog and baby from the roof of their home at Baildon Bridge on Saturday. Picture by TimSmithPhotos.com

A fundraising webpage has also been set up for people affected by the flooding in Baildon by Maria Glover Crump at www.gofundme.com/57gcwyj2

Jamia Masjid Hanfia , in Carlisle Road, Bradford has also been open, offering emergency  shelter, food and drinks for anyone in need.

A spokesman said: “We will be offering hot food, tea and bottles of water for people to eat in or take away at 6pm. Also offering emergency shelter to anyone affected by flooding. 

“We are also in the process of asking the local community for food and blankets as well as volunteers to help in any form of way possible.”

In Shipley, the Salvation Army is also a base for people.

“The community has stepped up,” said volunteer Nat Howard .

“If you are affected by the floods, come down there's loads of support.”

Blackhills campsite is also opening its doors.

Removal firm boss Gayle Potter who runs Smartmove West Yorkshire Ltd, based in Idle, Thackley and Queensbury, is offering free help to anyone needing belongings moving, put in storage or tipped.

“We’ve got the vans, we’ve got the lads. We want to help out,” said Ms Potter who can be contacted on 01274 771137.

Clean-up operations are also under way in Mirfield, where communities are also pulling together.

Insurance compnay Aviva said it had teamsd of people out in Yorkshire.

Rob Townend, UK Claims Director for the company said: "Property damage as a result of flooding or storms is one of the most traumatic events that a homeowner and business can suffer. This trauma places huge responsibilities on us, the insurance industry. We can’t stop the weather, but we can work tirelessly to support our customers affected by the events brought by this horrendous storm.

"Aviva has been on the ground across Yorkshire and Lancashire to make direct contact with a number of customers who have already been flooded and providing advice to those who might be at risk. We continue to visit customers today where we can physically get to them."

He said once any damage had been assessed, the company would install drying equipment for those properties that need it.

"For those people who can’t remain in their homes we will arrange alternative accommodation as soon as possible," he added.

"Where necessary we make emergency payments to customers to ensure they have enough money to pay for essentials like baby food, nappies and clothes.”

The flooding led to travel disruption including dozens of road closures and cancelled rail services - see the latest traffic and travel information here.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

The road closed at Baildon Bridge

In Haworth at Mill Hey two people were reported to be trapped in a car and a section of the village's former Royal Oak pub was swept away.

Many householders near rivers across the rest of the district were struggling to defend their homes from the rising waters triggered by the continuous deluge from Christmas Day.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

A barge submerged at Cromwell Bottom Nature Reserve near Elland, from T&A reader Kevin Walker

In Bingley's Old Main Street, people were warned by police knocking their doors to move furniture to higher floors. One man's tumble drier was floating in his cellar. Homes in Ash Grove, Cottingley Bridge were also flooded.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Bingley's Old Main Street shut as water rises on Saturday

Residents in Stockbridge near Keighley, were bracing themselves for the worst and people living in riverside properties between Otley and Pool were also on alert for the second time this month, desperately trying to protect their homes.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Bradford & Bingley Rugby Club under water

West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service crews were busy yesterday dealing with flooding incidents and crews from outside the area were called in, including the West Midlands.

 

The River Aire burst its banks submerging Rawdon Meadows and the river water crossed the road precariously close to The George pub at Apperley Bridge.

Police closed Coach Road at Baildon Wood Bottom because of flooding.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Reader Paul Jones sent us this picture of Mill Hey

Businesses close by, including United Carpets and a bargain store, were also hit by the water while workers at Travel Express storage shed were seen to be moving coaches out to safer ground as were employees at LCC car sales.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Baildon Bridge. Picture from Steve Capstick

A Bradford fire crew pumped out a flooded house at Esholt while other crews have been checking cellars of previously flooded homes in Silsden.

Flooding forced Keighley's steam railway to cancel yesterday's Boxing Day mince pie specials. Keighley & Worth Valley Railway's Haworth yard and sections of the five-mile line are under water.

But those longing for an end to the misery, may have more to come as the Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for more rain, valid from 00.15am to 11.45pm on Wednesday.

Useful website links and information

Aviva advice for what to do if you have been flooded

  • Contact your insurer as soon as possible
  • Don’t touch any of your electrics - they could have been damaged by water and  become live
  • Start identifying items that have been damaged, make a list and take pictures if you can – this will make it easier to assess the damage and speed up your claim.
  • If you can try and lift any items out of standing water – EG, if your carpets are saturated, try and raise any furniture off them on to wooden blocks this will prevent more water soaking into your belongings and help reduce further damage.
  • Listen in to local weather reports in case further rainfall is forecast.

Please remember that flood water is dangerous and can contain contaminants and debris. Don't risk it- don't play in it! #floods