South Yorkshire Flood Recovery – Information Page

Overview

Welcome to the South Yorkshire flood recovery Information Page.

We have created this page to provide easy access to information about our work in response to the flooding in South Yorkshire in November 2019. We will update this page as we progress individual projects as part of our recovery and repair work programme, so please keep checking regularly for new information.

The South Yorkshire floods in November 2019

The flooding in South Yorkshire in November 2019 followed two months where rainfall was more than twice the monthly average. Persistent heavy rain on 7^th and 8^th November caused river levels to rise rapidly. In just 48 hours 150% of the average November monthly rainfall fell over the middle reaches of the River Don resulting in widespread impacts across South Yorkshire. Overall, river levels equaled or exceeded the previous record event of June 2007.

Flooding around Fishlake

This extreme rainfall led to one of the largest flood events in the last 50 years of records in the Don catchment, and had a devastating impact on communities along the River Don. Around 1600 properties were affected by the flooding, with the majority in Doncaster (in Bentley and Fishlake). 1200 homes were evacuated and the flooding affected key road and rail infrastructure.

Despite the event being similar in scale to the flooding in 2007, the damage was less widespread and 7000 properties were protected by flood defences.

What happened and impacts of the November 2019 floods

What have we done in response to the flooding?

Since the November 2019 flooding the Environment Agency (EA) has inspected over 3000 flood defences along the the Rivers Don, Rother and Dearne. The EA and local authority partners have been repairing damaged assets and improving flood defences to better protect communities this winter. The EA Recovery programme in South Yorkshire comprises around 100 projects worth £12m.

The work we have achieved since the floods

Assets and Recovery

Since November 2019 the EA has worked on a £12m programme of improvements to flood defences and urgent repairs to better protect communities and businesses across South Yorkshire.

We have also put measures in place to make our flood defence assets ‘winter ready’ with either:

• a permanent repair completed;
• a temporary repair with permanent work to be completed by the end of March 2021; or
• robust contingency measures in place.

These projects will improve the condition and performance of critical flood defence assets for communities including Fishlake and Bentley in Doncaster. 

You can watch a time-lapse video of our repair work to a flood defence embankment which was recently completed at Mile Thorn in Doncaster.

Progress on major improvements to flood defences

Despite the restrictions imposed by Covid-19, progress has been maintained on construction of vital flood defence projects across South Yorkshire. The £14m scheme to refurbish Bentley Ings Pumping Station will be completed later this year and a £3m project to replace the Sheaf screen in Sheffield is underway and expected to be complete by March 2021. These will better protect 1700 homes and 700 businesses. 

Community engagement

Multi-agency community drop-ins were held immediately after the floods in Rotherham and Doncaster for residents to share their experiences, ask questions and seek advice.  

Despite COVID-19 restrictions, information sharing and consultation has continued with elected members, Flood Wardens and communities via newsletters and virtual meetings. Data has been shared and explained to help communities understand what happened during the floods.

Investigations

Section 19 flood investigation reports into the flooding are being published by Doncaster, Sheffield and Rotherham Councils. Barnsley Council are currently finalising their report.

You can find links to the published Section 19 flood investigation reports at the bottom of this webpage.

What happens next?

Over the coming months, you will see our staff and contractors working to carry out investigations, and making essential repairs which will enable us to remove temporary defences.

Our staff and contractors will be following advice provided by Public Health England. Our work will be carried out while maintaining social distancing.

Our key priorities are to protect the health, safety and well-being of our own staff, the public and the businesses and partners we work with. If social distancing cannot be maintained, and work cannot be done safely, it will stop.

We therefore ask that you do not approach our staff or contractors, and direct any queries to your local Partnership and Strategic Overview Team on: SYPSO@environment-agency.gov.uk

We will be publishing details on our progress with the repairs, and flood protection schemes in South Yorkshire, as they become available. Please check back regularly for updates on projects and work programmes in the different areas:

What you can do to manage flood risk and where to find information

While it is impossible to completely flood-proof a property, there are a lot of things you can do to prepare and reduce the damage flooding can cause. Here are some useful resources to help prepare yourself, your family and home - before, during and after a flood incident.

Before a flood:

• You can check your risk of flooding from rivers, surface water and reservoirs online at: www.gov.uk/check-flood-risk;
• If your property is at risk, sign up to receive warnings through the free Flood Warning Service. To register call Floodline on 0345 988 1188 or visit: www.gov.uk/sign-up-for-flood-warnings;
• You can receive a warning message as a phone call to your house, place of work or mobile, as well as an option to receive a text message or e-mail.

By registering to the Flood Warning Service you will receive an advanced warning of potential flooding in your area. This gives you time to stay safe, take action and prepare yourself and your property for flooding. Even if your property isn’t at direct risk, your access or your workplace might be.

• Create a personal flood plan, which includes a checklist of things to do and to protect your family during flooding, such as turning off the electricity and gas to prevent a fire. Information can be found at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-flood-plan;
• You can make changes to your property that will help you to reduce the damage flooding can do and get back to normal more quickly after a flood. You may find useful information in the “Prepare your property for flooding” guide: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/prepare-your-property-for-flooding;
• Make sure you have insurance to protect your home or business. If you have buildings and contents insurance, check that flood damage is included. If you’re finding it difficult to get your property insured for flooding, the ‘National Flood Forum’ may be able to help: https://nationalfloodforum.org.uk/; phone number: 01299 403 055;
• Become a Flood Warden volunteer by joining an existing group or forming your own. Contact YorkshireFloodResilience@environment-agency.gov.uk  to discuss.

During a flood:

• Visit What to do in Flood to understand the warnings and actions to take. Further resource can be found at National Flood Forum and Know Your Flood Risk;
• Understand what the different Category 1 emergency responders roles are so you know where to direct your questions or concerns;
• Stay safe and listen the Emergency Responders.

After a flood:

• Being flooded is a horrific and incredibly emotional experience. How to recover after a flood offers some basic tips;
• Your Local Authority webpages and contacts will be a source of practical information. Also, organisations such as the National Flood Forum and Know Your Flood Risk can offer advice on insurance, cleaning and property resilience measures;
• Look after your own wellbeing and seek emotional support either via charities such as the Red Cross or Samaritans, or there maybe local initiatives you can access. Generally these are organised via your Local Authority;
• If it’s possible record and collect any evidence and data you can about the flooding and its impact. There are reviews undertaken after every incident and local information is vital in understanding the impact and where changes need to be made. This can be shared via the Environment Agency and/or Local Authority.