Humberside Fire and Rescue, East Riding Council, Environment Agency and other partners are responding to an ongoing flooding incident in Snaith and East Cowick, after the River Aire over-topped.
Sunday 08 March
The council’s recovery officers are knocking on the doors of all affected properties to speak directly with residents to ensure they have all the help and support they need.
If residents are not at home when they visit, a note will be left for their return.
The council is also advising residents that it will be arranging for the collection of sandbags (both contaminated and uncontaminated) from the start of next week.
Once sandbags are collected they are likely to be disposed of due to being contaminated by flood water and no longer as strong.
Residents can access a £500 emergency grant and the council has already made 57 payments while eligible businesses can access £2,500 from the business recovery scheme.
Please also take note: of the advice given below on rogue traders who target residents following flooding incidents.
Friday, 06 March
Residents Warned to Beware of Rogue Traders Following Floods
Following the recent flooding in Snaith, Gowdall, East Cowick and West Cowick, East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s Trading Standards Service is warning residents to beware of rogue traders and cowboy builders.
It is common for rogue traders to take advantage of those suffering the devastation caused by flooding while they are in a vulnerable situation after their homes and businesses have been damaged.
Colin Briggs, Trading Standards Services Manager, said:
“We are worried that some unscrupulous traders may try to take advantage of the victims of the recent floods. It is a very upsetting time for anyone who has suffered damage to their home or business and we don't want people to be taken advantage of.
“We understand that if your home has been damaged by recent flooding it will be a priority to start remedial work as soon as possible. Residents can protect themselves by following a few simple pieces of advice.”
Trading standards is offering the following advice for homes or businesses that have been flooded:
Do not agree to have work done by anyone who cold calls or knocks at your property
Rogue traders often agree contracts by cold calling, they typically look for payment upfront, may not give full contact details for their business, often carry out shoddy work and overcharge.
Get written quotes
A choice of written quotes ensures you have more time to assess and compare the price of work and can make an informed choice about which tradesperson to use.
Check trade body approval or certification
If a tradesperson claims to be a member of a trade body or approval scheme check whether this is true on the scheme or body website. There are advantages to using a trader who is a member of a trade body or approval scheme as it is likely that there will be a complaints or arbitration procedure in place in the event that anything goes wrong.
For certain work, such as electrical or gas work, traders must be qualified and approved as fit to do that work.
For gas work, traders must be registered with Gas Safe and you can check who is registered at www.gassaferegister.co.uk
For electrical work, traders must be registered with NICEIC or ELECSA and you can check who is registered online at www.niceic.com and elecsa.co.uk
Always check before you engage a trader that he holds the appropriate authorisation to complete work safely and certify it to buildings regulations.
As well as ensuring the work is safe, you will be required to have certification if you sell your home in the future.
Do not pay the full price upfront
Legitimate tradespeople will generally not expect to be paid anything until work is completed to your satisfaction. Agree staged payments and keep most of the cost back until the repair job has been satisfactorily completed.
Speak to your insurance company
If you are insured speak to your insurer before agreeing to have any work done. Your insurer may have a list of approved contractors or may want to see quotes before agreeing to pay for any work.
Beware of bogus officials
Other cold callers may also try to take advantage of those affected by flooding, such as bogus insurance representatives or bogus council officers.
Residents may receive cold calls from claims management firms offering to handle their insurance claims but they may not be aware that this is done with a view to claiming a percentage of any pay out made to the home owner.
Residents are encouraged to check the identity badge of anyone who visits them as those calling to offer genuine assistance will be happy to provide this.
Anyone concerned about the activity of a trader, cold caller or doorstep seller is urged to contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133. Citizens Advice will give advice on what to do next and report the matter to trading standards.
Residents and businesses are also reminded that applications for the community flood recovery grant can only be made directly to East Riding of Yorkshire Council.
For further information, visit the 'funding to recover' section of the Flooding page.
Thursday, 05 March
Staff from East Riding Council’s housing, transportation and public protection service, supported by building control officers, social workers and business advisors, will be present in Snaith and East Cowick as the recovery operation starts to gather pace following the recent flooding.
Flood levels are continuing to reduce in Snaith [picured is George Street 1500 hrs today], East Cowick, Gowdall and West Cowick thanks to the ongoing pumping effort by the council, Humberside Fire and Rescue, the Environment Agency and the Aire, Don and Ouse Consortium of Internal Drainage Boards.
Over the coming days, waste collections will resume - where possible - and the council will have staff knocking on the doors of all affected properties to speak directly with residents to ensure they have all the help and support they need.
Highways officers will continue to monitor the water levels on the roads and will carry out any cleaning and structural assessments to ensure they are safe to reopen.
Currently the following road closures remain in place:
A614 towards Thorne is closed from Gyme Corner roundabout
A614 northbound towards Snaith is closed at the Thorne roundabout (off junction 6 of M18)
A1041 Snaith is closed at Carlton Bridge
A614 in the Greenland Lane area
Selby Road is closed near the railway crossing
Gowdall Lane
However, a number of roads have now re-opened:
A645 Pontefract Road
A1041 at the Gyme Corner roundabout, East Cowick
Snaith Plough Inn roundabout to Market Place
Snaith High Street at Pontefract Road
The council is also advising residents that it will be arranging for the collection of sandbags (both contaminated and uncontaminated) from the start of next week.
Penny Donno, interim head of children and young people's support and safeguarding services and emergency control centre manager at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said:
“Following the recent flooding, the council and its partners are continuing to respond to the incident and have also started some recovery operations to support our residents.
“We are now starting to see some roads re-open and we are asking residents to put sandbags to one side for the time being and we will arrange for their collection from Monday, 9 March.”
Residents and businesses affected by the floods are entitled to financial assistance.
Residents can access a £500 emergency grant and the council has already made 57 payments while eligible businesses can access £2,500 from the business recovery scheme.
More information can be found at: www.eastriding.gov.uk/living/emergencies/preparing-for-emergencies/flooding/#funding-to-recover
Paul Abbott, the council’s head of housing, transportation and public protection services and lead for recovery operations, said:
“We’re not fully in recovery mode yet, but where the flood water has receded we will be sending officers to speak to those residents in affected properties.”
Wednesday, 04 March ERC update
With waters continuing to reduce in Snaith, Gowdall, East Cowick and West Cowick following the recent floods, East Yorkshire Council is moving from incident response to recovery and will be ramping these operations up in the coming days.
Snaith Sports Centre is now fully-stocked in terms of food, toiletries, clothes etc. to support those affected by the floods and requires no further donations, at this time.
A number of road closures remain in place and the council has started the process of street cleaning to decontaminate affected highways and remove any debris.
Before reopening roads to traffic, the council will also need to carry out structural assessments to ensure that highways are safe.
The road closures in place are as follows:
- A645 Pontefract Road is closed to through traffic at the junction of Long Lane, Pollington - this is open to residents only
- A1041 closed at Gyme Corner roundabout, East Cowick
- A614 towards Thorne also closed from Gyme Corner roundabout
- A614 northbound towards Snaith is closed at the Thorne roundabout (off Junction 6 of M18)
- A1041 Snaith is still closed at Carlton Bridge
- Snaith Plough Inn roundabout until Market Place
- Snaith High Street is closed at Pontefract Road
- A614 in the Greenland Lane area.
Mathew Buckley, head of legal and democratic services and emergency control centre manager at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said:
“The council is steadily moving out of the response phase of this flooding incident and into recovery operations.
“The council fully appreciates the frustration with regards to the ongoing closure of roads in the area, but these are in place for public safety and to allow cleaning operations – which involves staff on the ground and the need for the council to deploy large vehicles, such as gully tankers and lorries.
“We appreciate residents’ ongoing support and patience and will keep reviewing road closures and changing traffic management arrangements, where it is possible to do so.
“The whole community has come together during this incident and we would like to thank volunteers and the generosity people have shown in making donations. Having spoken to Snaith Sports Centre, no more donations are needed at this time.”
Staff from the council’s housing, transportation and public protection service, supported by building control officers, social workers and business advisers, will be out and about in East Cowick and Snaith over the coming days as recovery operations ramp up.
Paul Abbott, head of housing, transportation and public protection and the council’s lead for recovery operations, said:
“The council is aware of 93 properties that have flooded in Snaith and East Cowick and our officers will be going door-to-door to provide any and all advice and support and to arrange any assistance that might be needed to help our residents and businesses to recover.”
Tuesday, 03 March
East Riding of Yorkshire Council will be moving from incident response to recovery operations today following the recent flooding in Snaith, Gowdall, East Cowick and West Cowick.
Overnight, it was reported that floodwaters have dropped by around 12 inches thanks to a combined effort from the council, the Environment Agency, Humberside Fire and Rescue and the Aire, Don and Ouse Consortium of Internal Drainage Boards (IDBs), which has seen a large scale pumping operation directing floodwaters into the River Don. The Aire, Don and Ouse Consortium of IDBs have also excavated a series of trenches that have helped reduce flood water levels as well.
A number of road closures remain in place and council will take the opportunity to use these in order to carry out any structural assessments and to clean away any debris before reopening them to traffic.
The road closures in place are as follows:
- A645 Pontefract Road is closed to through traffic at the junction of Long Lane, Pollington - this is open to residents only
- A1041 closed at Gyme Corner roundabout, East Cowick
- A614 towards Thorne also closed from Gyme Corner roundabout
- A614 northbound towards Snaith is closed at the Thorne roundabout (off Junction 6 of M18)
- A1041 Snaith is still closed at Carlton Bridge
- Snaith Plough Inn roundabout until Market Place
- Snaith High Street is closed at Pontefract Road
- A614 in the Greenland Lane area.
The Priory Church in Snaith will continue to operate as a rest centre where residents can access any additional support.
Snaith Primary School, Cowick C of E Primary School and The Snaith Academy have all now re-opened to all years.
Brigette Giles, head of technology and transformation and emergency control centre manager at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said:
“The council and its partners have been working around the clock since the flooding incident started a week ago and will continue to provide a high level of support over the coming days and weeks for those affected as we move into recovery.”
Staff from the council’s housing, transportation and public protection service, supported by colleagues from building control and adult services and from other partner agencies, will be out and about in East Cowick and Snaith over the coming days as recovery operations start.
Paul Abbott, head of housing, transportation and public protection and the council’s lead for recovery operations, said:
“The council is aware of 93 properties that have flooded in Snaith and East Cowick and our officers will be going door-to-door to provide any and all advice and support and to arrange any assistance that might be needed to help our residents and businesses.”
Council Support for Resident Affected by Flooding
Residents affected by the flooding can access various practical and financial support from the council.
Financial Support
The Government is providing financial support for eligible residents and businesses whose households or business premises have been affected by the recent flooding.
For Residents
There are three types of funding available for residents, and you can apply for all three if eligible. The Community Recovery Grant is a payment of up to £500 for each household affected by flooding. The grant is eligible for people where floodwater entered the habitable areas or their residence is considered ‘unliveable’ for any period of time due to the weather event. The grant doesn’t provide funds for empty homes, second homes or student accommodation. Only your primary residence.
The Council Tax Discount Scheme is available in addition to the Community Recovery Grant, and eligible residents will be eligible for 100% relief on their council tax for at least 3 months* following the flooding. The same rate of council tax relief is available on temporary accommodation for anyone unable to return to their home (primary residence). * Longer if residents cannot return to their home. No matter what your payment plan is for council tax, the council tax liability covers the full year from April to March. Therefore, if you have already paid in full for the current year you will receive a refund for the period for which you have been flooded and eligible properties will also receive a reduction on the new council tax bill covering the period from 1 April 2020.
The Household Flood Resilience Grant will allow flood-hit homes and businesses to apply* for up to £5,000 to help protect from future flooding. The grants will help homes and businesses to become more resilient to flooding by helping to pay for a range of property improvements. The funding will go towards the additional costs of installing fittings and materials that increase resistance to damage from water in the future, such as putting in flood doors and raising electrics off ground level.
For Businesses
There are three types of funding available for residents, and you can apply for all three if eligible:
The Business Recovery Scheme is for businesses that have been directly impacted and have suffered a loss of trade due to the flooding that cannot be recovered from insurance. There is up to £2,500 for eligible small and medium-sized businesses*. * Small to medium-sized businesses are those with fewer than 250 employees and a turnover of less than £50 million.
The Business Rates Relief Scheme is available in addition to the Business Recovery Scheme, and eligible businesses will receive 100% relief on their business rates for at least 3 months* following the flooding. * Longer if trading cannot resume from the property.
The Business Flood Resilience Grant will allow flood-hit homes and businesses to apply* for up to £5,000 to help protect from future flooding. The grants will help homes and businesses to become more resilient to flooding by helping to pay for a range of property improvements.
The funding will go towards the additional costs of installing fittings and materials that increase resistance to damage from water in the future, such as putting in flood doors and raising electrics off ground level.
* Applications for this will be reviewed and processed as soon as funding is in place.
For further information, visit the 'funding to recover' section of the Flooding page.
Two Ridings Community Foundations - Additional Financial Support for Residents and Small Businesses Affected by Flooding
Two Ridings Community Foundation, like many local community foundations, manages local appeals on behalf of households and small business owners that have been affected by flooding and other disasters.
They ensure that donations reach people and communities in need at the time of crisis and for the long-term.
The foundation is working with East Riding of Yorkshire Council to help people and communities affected by the recent flooding.
Two Ridings Community Foundation is managing and receiving any public donations to provide immediate and ongoing support people.
To find out more about how to give or to apply, visit:
Two Ridings Community Foundation (external website)
Email: grants@tworidingscf.org.uk
Tel: (01904) 929 500.
Refuse and Bulky Waste Collections
The council will be arranging FREE bulky waste collections for those properties affected by the recent flooding.
Bulky waste collections will be arranged as part of the council’s door-knocking process.
In addition, the council has also arranged for the opening hours of the Airmyn Household Waste Recycling Site to be extended from tomorrow (Wednesday, 4 March) from 8am-6pm.
Public meeting - Monday 02 March 19.00 hours at Snaith Primary School
Following Sunday’s drop in session, there will be a further opportunity today for residents affected by flooding in Snaith and EastCowick to meet with representatives from the supporting agencies.
Representatives from East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Environment Agency, Humberside Fire & Rescue and Humberside Police will be at Snaith Primary School at 7pm where they will provide updates to residents on the current situation and invite questions and discussion from residents.
Monday, 02 March - 0900 hrs
Conditions in the Snaith, Gowdall, East Cowick and West Cowick areas are still being monitored by ER Council and its partners and operations are continuing to support residents during the ongoing flood incident.
Overnight, the water levels in Snaith have continued to slowly reduce, but they are still high in East Cowick, although the threat of further flooding is subsiding.
A number of road closures remain in place and these are:
· A645 Pontefract Road is closed to through traffic at the junction of Long Lane, Pollington - this is open to residents only
· A1041 closed at Gyme Corner roundabout, East Cowick
· A614 towards Thorne also closed from Gyme Corner roundabout
· A614 northbound towards Snaith is closed at the Thorne roundabout (off Junction 6 of M18)
· A1041 Snaith is still closed at Carlton Bridge
· Snaith Plough Inn roundabout until Market Place
· Snaith High Street is closed at Pontefract Road
· A614 in the Greenland Lane area.
The Priory Church in Snaith will continue to operate as a rest centre where residents can access any additional support.
Today, Cowick C of E Primary School will be closed, The Snaith Academy will be open to years 10 and 11 ONLY and Snaith Primary School will be open as normal, but the pre-school and after school clubs will be closed.
Paul Tripp, head of streetscene services and emergency control centre manager at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “While the threat of more flooding is reducing people still need to be vigilant.
“Full recovery activities won’t be able to start until the water levels have reduced significantly and we are confident they will not rise again.”
Residents are advised to sign up to the Environment Agency Flood Warning Service by visiting GOV.UK - Sign up for flood warning (external website) or by calling Floodline on 0345 9881188.
Friday 28 February 0900 hrs
Operations are continuing in Snaith and East Cowick to support residents in response to the on-going flood incident.
While the water levels in Snaith are receding slightly, the levels in East Cowick continue to rise.
Overnight, East Yorkshire Council staff continued to distribute sandbags to properties in East Cowick and a number of properties in Back Lane were evacuated.
Heavy rain is forecast for the area from late morning which could lead to further flooding and the council’s main priority will continue to be providing sandbags and helping with the evacuation of those properties who remain at risk of flooding.
Residents who have not already done so, should be prepared to leave their properties and rest centres are open at Priory Church in Snaith and also at Snaith Sports Centre.
A number of roads in the area have been closed including:
Gyme Corner (A614)
Pontefract Road
Market Street
Lidgate
Back Lane.
Ian Burnett, Head of Asset Strategy said:
“The council and its partners are constantly monitoring the conditions on the ground in Snaith and East Cowick and responding accordingly to support our residents.
“Properties continue to be at risk in Snaith and East Cowick, with a number of properties in East Cowick evacuated in the early hours of the morning.
“Overnight, four tonnes of sandbags were delivered to the areas at risk and more will be arriving shortly from the council’s Hedon and Goole depots.
“The council is closely monitoring the weather as Storm Jorge is expected to bring heaving rain throughout the day which could result in further flooding.
“People who are at risk of flooding and hve not evacuated their properties are urged to do so.
“We’d like to reassure residents that our staff will remain in the area around the clock across the weekend and for as long as they are needed during this emergency situation.”
Residents are advised to sign up to the Environment Agency Flood Warning Service by visiting GOV.UK - Sign up for flood warning (external website) or by calling Floodline on 0345 9881188.
Thursday, 27 February – afternoon update
The multi agency response continues to the ongoing flooding in Snaith, Gowdall and East Cowick.
East Riding Council staff will be in the area throughout tonight and throughout the coming weekend, to offer help and advice to residents, working together with the Environment Agency, Humberside Police, Humberside Fire and Rescue, Snaith and Cowick Town Council and HM Coastguard.
At the current time, the council believes around 30 properties have been flooded in Snaith.
We will continue to monitor weather conditions over the coming days, with Storm Jorge likely to bring strong winds and more rain to the area over the weekend.
Council officers are stationed at Snaith Priory Church rest centre, Snaith Library and the Snaith and Cowick Town Council offices. They are on hand to offer advice and information, and residents are welcome to go along anytime.
More sandbags will be delivered where needed and council water pumps have already been deployed to East Cowick.
Roads that remain closed are the A1041 north of Snaith and the A1041 at East Cowick. The only road open into Snaith is Pontefract Road.
Snaith Primary School and Snaith Academy will remain closed tomorrow (Friday), and Cowick Church of England School is likely to remain closed too.
Stephen Hunt, head of planning and development management at East Riding of Yorkshire, said:
“We’d like to reassure residents that our staff will remain in the area around the clock across the weekend and for as long as they are needed during this emergency situation.
“We would urge residents needing advice and information to please go along to Priory Church, Snaith Library or the town council offices, and our staff will help as much as they can.”
The council is now planning for the recovery operation and will coordinate recovery efforts for residents - but the operation can only begin when the risk of further flooding subsides.
When that happens:
- Council officers will visit every affected property
- We will also arrange special bulky waste collections for badly damaged goods
- We will also arrange road cleaning and waste collection services.
For enquiries regarding recovery only, residents can contact East Riding Council on (01482) 396301.
For any other enquiries please contact the council on (01482) 393939.
Residents are advised to sign up to the Environment Agency Flood Warning Service by visiting GOV.UK - Sign up for flood warning (external website) or by calling Floodline on 0345 9881188.
Information for patients from East Riding of Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group
Patients affected by flooding in the Snaith area should be reassured that NHS services will remain open as usual.
The Snaith and Rawcliffe Medical Group remains available as per their usual opening times. Patients unable to attend their appointment should call the practice on (01405) 863190.
There is currently no access via the A1041 West Cowick and East Cowick. Patients are being advised instead to use M62 J34 Eggborough and use A1645. This is still a restricted access route, but if patients let Police know they have a GP appointment, they will be allowed through.
(As of 2pm 27 February 2020)
The practice is also encouraging anybody who has had to leave their home and has left medication behind, to contact them to organise new medication. This will be dealt with as a priority.
Local pharmacists are also able to give clinical advice and treatment for common illnesses such as coughs, colds, aches and pains. They can also help decide whether to contact other healthcare services.
Patients who receive nursing care in the community, including in their own home, should continue to attend their appointments as usual unless advised otherwise. If you are no longer able to attend your appointment call (01482) 247111.
Goole Urgent Treatment Centre remains open and is able to provide assessment and treatment for any injuries that are not life or limb-threatening.
Accident and Emergency departments should only be attended in the most serious life or limb-threatening emergencies. If you think you need an emergency ambulance dial 999.
If you need medical help but you are not sure where to go, please contact NHS 111.
Thursday 27 February – Noon
The water levels in Snaith appear to have stabilised at the moment, however, there may be a further risk of flooding with rain forecast over the next few days.
At the current time, the council believes around 60 properties are thought to have flooded.
Council staff are on-site to support residents and they will continue to work around the clock, together with colleagues from the Environment Agency, Humberside Police, Humberside Fire and Rescue, Snaith and Cowick Town Council and HM Coastguard.
The council has officers stationed at Snaith Priory Church rest centre and at Snaith Library, who are on hand to offer advice and information, and residents are welcome to go along anytime.
Staff are also deploying sandbags, checking on residents and dealing with road closures, which remain in place.
Roads that remain closed are the A1041 north of Snaith and the A1041 at East Cowick. The only road open into Snaith is Pontefract Road.
Recovery efforts
The council is now planning for the recovery operation and will coordinate recovery efforts for residents.
But the operation can only begin when the risk of further flooding subsides.
Paul Abbott, head of housing transportation and public protection, said: “Full recovery activities won’t be able to start until water levels have receded and will not rise again.
“When that happens, our officers will visit every affected property when it is safe and sensible to do so. We will also arrange special bulky waste collections for badly damaged goods.”
For enquiries regarding recovery only, residents can contact the council on (01482) 396301.
Insurance information
Here is some advice for homeowners who are affected by flooding:
-If you are insured you need to ring your insurance providers immediately. Don’t do anything to your flooded home, such as throwing things away, without consent from your insurer. If you don’t do this the insurance provider may not pay out.
-Your insurance provider will project manage most of the clean-up. They will arrange for a loss adjuster and other specialists to visit your home to assess the damage. They will usually arrange for a professional cleaning company to come and undertake the work or, if the damage is severe, appoint someone to remove flood-damaged walls and floors plus damaged goods.
They will also, usually, provide temporary accommodation. Many people want to stay at their home, living upstairs or in a caravan on the drive during the repair work. If you have to make a decision about where to stay, please bear in mind that recovery can take a very long time – months rather than weeks. This is because homes need to be thoroughly dried out before any repair works start.
Residents are advised to sign up to the Environment Agency Flood Warning Service by visiting GOV.UK - Sign up for flood warning (external website) or by calling Floodline on 0345 9881188.
Thursday, 27 February - AM
East Riding of Yorkshire Council, working alongside its partners, is continuing to respond to the ongoing flooding incident in Snaith, Gowdall and East Cowick.
Flood waters are rising in Snaith and East Cowick, with over 160 properties at risk of flooding.
Staff are working around the clock to support residents, with extensive sandbagging taking place last night (Wednesday, 26 February) and into this morning (Thursday, 27 February).
A rest centre is open at Snaith Priory Church and is providing residents with food and refreshments as well as beds – if needed.
Gillian Barley, head of revenues and procurement, said: “Flood water in the area is continuing to increase and the council – alongside its partners – is now having to evacuate properties in East Cowick.
“The council has put two additional locations on stand-by to act as rest centres, if needed.
“We will continue to keep residents up-to-date on the ground as well as through our website, social media and via BBC Radio Humberside which will be on air throughout the night.”
Residents are advised to sign up to the Environment Agency Flood Warning Service by visiting GOV.UK - Sign up for flood warning (external website) or by calling Floodline on 0345 9881188.
Wednesday evening update
Operations are continuing in Snaith, Gowdall and also in East Cowick, as flood waters continue to rise in the area.
East Riding Council is working closely with partners, including the Environment Agency, Humberside Police, Humberside Fire & Rescue, HM Coastguard and Snaith and Cowick Town Council, to support residents.
Around 100 properties been identified as at risk of flooding over the next 12 hours in Snaith and East Cowick.
With this being the case, council staff are deploying sandbags to those properties most at risk of flooding and staff from the council, HM Coastguard and Humberside Fire & Rescue have also been door knocking to provide residents with advice, information and support.
A rest centre is open to the public at Snaith Priory Church and staff and volunteers are actively supporting local residents.
Snaith Primary School, Cowick Church of England Primary School and Snaith Academy will be closed tomorrow (Thursday, 27 February).
Road closures are in place as follows:
Gowdall Lane
A1041 Selby Road
Buttle (Snaith)
Priory Way to Mill Street, Snaith
A1041/A614 junction from mini roundabout to Gyme Corner to the west point of A1041/A614.
Motorists are advised to avoid the area, where possible, and should not attempt to drive through flood waters.
Croda has also opened the gates to its site to allow local residents at properties at risk of flooding to park their vehicles.
Lee Thompson, head of adult services, said:
“The council is working closely with its partners, including the Environment Agency as incident lead, to support residents in Snaith, Gowdall and East Cowick.
“As flood waters continue to rise in the area and with further properties at risk of flooding, our operations will continue into the night.
“We will continue to keep residents up-to-date on the ground and through social media and through BBC Radio Humberside.”
Residents are advised to sign up to the Environment Agency Flood Warning Service by visiting GOV.UK - Sign up for flood warning (external website) or by calling Floodline on 0345 3881188.
Wednesday PM update 15.00 hrs
East Riding of Yorkshire Council and its partners are continuing to respond to the ongoing flooding incident in Snaith and Gowdall and have deployed further staff and resources, including more sandbags, to the area to support residents and businesses over the coming days.
Around 20 tonnes of sandbags have been deployed across the villages to protect homes and businesses. Sandbags are not being issued on a general basis, but are being targeted to those properties at most risk of flooding.
Following the high tides last night (Tuesday, 25 February) and this morning (Wednesday, 26 February), overtopping of the River Aire and the surrounding marshlands is continuing.
As well as the 11 confirmed properties that have flooded (seven commercial and four residential), the council and its partners are anticipating that further properties in Snaith are at risk of flooding and also potentially properties in East Cowick as the flood water works its way through the marshlands and river system.
Staff will be door knocking to provide advice and assistance to residents and house-to-house checks on vulnerable people will continue to be carried out to ensure appropriate support is being provided.
Council staff will also continue to be stationed at Snaith Priory Church – which is acting as the town’s rest centre – today (Wednesday, 26 February) and tomorrow (Thursday, 27 February) to offer advice and information to anyone who needs it.
Mathew Buckley, Head of Legal and Democratic Services, said:
“The council is working closely with its partners, including the Environment Agency, Humberside Police, Humberside Fire & Rescue, Snaith and Cowick Town Council and HM Coastguard, to support our residents and businesses during this ongoing flood incident.
“Conditions in Snaith and Gowdall are challenging and the unpredictability of the flooding means that the incident is rapidly changing.
“We will continue to monitor conditions this evening and overnight and will continue to respond in line with our emergency plans.”
Three schools were closed today (Wednesday, 26 February), including Snaith Primary School, Cowick Church of England Primary School and Snaith Academy and they will remain closed tomorrow (Thursday, 27 February)
Motorists are still advised to stay away from the affected areas, including the A1041 Selby Road and Gowdall Lane.
Bus services in the area have been affected. The Arriva service 401 between Selby and Goole is operating but will divert via the Drax Bypass, but all bus stops apart from Snaith Rail Station will be served, although buses may run later.
The Thornes service 488, Wednesday only from Pollington, Gowdall and Snaith to Goole will NOT be operating today (Wednesday, 26 February).
Water levels remain very high and are likely to stay high for a couple of days.
Residents are encouraged to follow the following advice around floodwater:
- Avoid walking or driving through flood water.
- Keep children and vulnerable people away from it.
- Wash your hands thoroughly if you touch floodwater.
If you are advised your property is at risk of flooding you should make the following arrangements:
- If you have any flood protection equipment put it in place.
- Move pets, vehicles, valuables and other sentimental items to places of safety.
- Roll up carpets and rugs and move them out of harms way.
- Wrap curtains around the curtain pole, empty furniture drawers and cupboards and move the contents upstairs or to a high place.
- Fasten plastic bags around the legs of wooden furniture and weigh down any furniture that is too heavy to move.
- Put plugs in sinks and weigh them down with something heavy. Weigh down the toilet seat too.
- Disconnect electrical appliances and turn off mains gas and electricity.
- Have your flood kit to hand in case you need to leave your property or move upstairs.
A flood kit should include:
- Copies of your home insurance policy and other key documents.
- A torch, radio and batteries or a wind up torch / radio.
- Warm, waterproof clothing, a change of clothing and blankets.
- A first aid kid and prescription medication.
- Toiletries, baby food and baby care items.
- A notepad and pen.
- Bottled water / energy bars.
- Spare glasses / contact lenses.
- Mobile phone charger.
Residents are advised to sign up to the Environment Agency Flood Warning Service by visiting GOV.UK - Sign up for flood warning (external website) or by calling the Floodline on 0345 3881188.