Dales flooding compared to deluge which hit Boscastle in Cornwall

The deluge which caused flooding in the Dales has been compared to infamous flooding which hit Boscastle in Cornwall in 2004.

The comparison comes as experts examine roads and bridges to check for damage caused after more than 150mm fell in a few hours in the Leyburn and Reeth areas.

Highways teams are continuing to work round the clock clearing roads and responding to the severe weather.

North Yorkshire County Council says staff are in the process of inspecting bridges and highways to ensure they are safe for public use following what has been described as a “very rare weather event” by the Met Office, with rainfall rates, hailstones and lightening experienced at levels considered rare in the UK.

North Yorkshire County Council is working very closely with all emergency services and other partners to ensure a well-coordinated response.

The B6270 near Cogden remains closed after a landslip and highways officers are at the scene establishing the scale of the impact and looking at the best course of action. In the meantime a road closure and diversion remain in place in the interests of public safety.

Grinton Moor Bridge has collapsed, therefore the Grinton to Leyburn road remains closed.

Highways officers are also at the scene of a collapsed wall at the Pheasant Pub at Harmby.

This morning the following roads have been closed:

• B6270 Downholme to Grinton
• A6108 Downhole to Halfpenny House
• C106 Grinton to Reeth
• B6270 Grinton to Reeth
• Riverside Road, Richmond

Rishi Sunak MP has compiled a flood help guide for his constituents hit by flash floods.

The one-page guide provides information and contact details for the organisations and agencies that can assist victims of the floods.

The guide includes web addresses and contact numbers for the relevant agencies and local authorities dealing with the flods and the aftermath.

The Richmond MP said: “I can only imagine the heartbreak of flood-damage to your home or business but I know it can be difficult to know where to turn. The guide is a starting point to get help.”

Mr Sunak said the flooding had been truly devastating for communities used to weather extremes.

He said the Yorkshire area director of the Environment Agency, Oliver Harmar, had briefed him on the situation earlier today. Mr Harmar described the rain that fell on Swaledale and lower Wensleydale yesterday as unprecedented.

“The intensity of the rain was only comparable to that which almost swept away the Cornish village of Boscastle in 2004.

“It hasn’t been confirmed yet but the Agency believes that up to 150mm of rain fell in a three-hour period. The flash flooding came from run-off water from land and roads.”

During the morning, Mr Sunak spoke to the two local authorities, police, and other agencies involved in managing the incident and offered his assistance.

The guide can be found at https://www.rishisunak.com/news/rishi-sunak-compiles-help-guide-dales-flood-victims

The Central Dales Practice is working with Swaledale Mountain Rescue to get donations of food, clothing, money etc to pass onto residents and farmers in need.

Donations can be dropped off at Aysgarth and Hawes surgeries.

The practice says it will see patients from Leyburn Medical Practice or Reeth Medical Practice as temporary residents if they need to be seen but can’t get into their own surgery due to broken bridges or blocked roads.

Practice manager Lynn Irwin added: “We are delivering medications to those who are struggling to get to us and we will do our best in our 4×4 car – Richard our driver is experience 4×4 driver.”

More on the flooding from Richmondshire Today:

• Flooding likened to Boscastle as council staff clear roads and check bridges.
• Photos of the damage as the clear-up operation begins in Swaledale.
• Anger as stranded motorists are charged £150 after police order cars to be towed away.
• Dramatic photos of Swaledale flooding.
• Appeal launched in memory of Dales councillor John Blackie. 
• Tuesday’s full report on flooding