Severe flood warnings in place for York’s student housing

The final flood package for York was also discussed, as was the need to provide extra support for residents and businesses who have been forced to vacate their homes and properties.

Heavy rain is forecast for Northern England on Wednesday and with the ground still saturated and river levels at record highs, there is the potential for further significant flooding especially in Cumbria.

Following the meeting Mr Sturdy said “The Environment Secretary has assured me that more funding will be made available to help get York residents and businesses back on their feet as quickly as possible”.

“Crews have worked tirelessly, and we have seen some real acts of bravery in the face of very real dangers”.

One resident, Janice Findlay, said: ‘We have always felt safe because we have always had that barrier and this is absolutely shocking because it’s the first time in 36 years that this part of York has flooded’.

If the barrier became stuck in the “down” position, it would not have been able to discharge water into the River Ouse. Student areas now issued with a severe warning are Osbaldwick and Tang Hall. GOV.UK has the full list of flood warnings for York and further afield.

A 200-year-old former pub, which sits on a bridge over the River Irwell, in Summerseat, Greater Manchester, was swept away in raging waters, while a gas explosion in Radcliffe was believed to have been caused by the flooding. In York, the Foss flood barrier was overpowered by the sheer weight of water and the Ouse came within a few centimetres of the top of the defences.

“We are working with the fire service and most of the properties affected by flooding have been pumped out now”, he said.

“Are we doing it in the right way?” She condemned the Environment Agency for the devastating damage to supposedly “safe areas” of the city.

In York, I met rescue teams from Whitby and soldiers who had been evacuating vulnerable people from flats in the city centre. The level of investment is based on the number of homes that will be protected.

Andrew Waller, the city councillor responsible for the environment, admitted: ‘We need to sort out the Foss Barrier. “And we’ll ask all those questions”.

The city’s Mayor Sonja Crisp said immediate action was needed to sort out the problem.