Repair and clean up work continues after the devastating floods in Calderdale on Boxing Day.
Council staff, emergency services, volunteers and partners have been working around the clock to help communities recover from the unprecedented levels of flooding in the borough.
River levels have now returned to near normal levels, however we are aware that there has been significant damage to walls and flood defences and there is still debris in the rivers. We are focusing our efforts on repairing and managing this.
The Council is collecting damaged goods and debris which have been left on pavements throughout the affected areas and removing obstructions from rivers and canals.
We have received great support from the Army, helping us to keep damaged walls and key flood defences safe.
This work is vitally important, particularly as the Environment Agency has issued a yellow warning for rain, which is in force until 3pm on Wednesday 30 December. We are closely monitoring the forecast.
Among preparations for this possible further heavy rainfall, we have provided hundreds of sandbags to areas identified as most vulnerable to flooding. Unfilled sacks and sand have been made available from the local community hubs so that residents and volunteers can make smaller sandbags for their own use.
We are aware of major highways issues at sites such as Elland Bridge and the A646 in Upper Valley, and we continue to inspect all built structures along the Calder Valley to check that they are safe and undamaged.
We urge people to only make essential journeys around the affected areas to allow the clean up to continue and to keep roads clear for emergency services and recovery vehicles.
Communities continue to pull together to help those affected by flooding and bases have been established at Todmorden Town Hall, Hebden Bridge Town Hall, Christ Church in Sowerby Bridge and Best Practice Training in Mytholmroyd. The Council has already announced that it will suspend Council tax for up to 6 months for those unable to occupy their property, and offer business rate relief for up to 3 months for affected businesses . We are also working to develop further schemes to offer financial support for residents and businesses affected by the flood.
We are updating our FAQs regularly as the situation develops and these are a good source of information for residents and businesses. You can also keep up to date with information and advice at eyeoncalderdale.com and by following @calderdale on twitter and Calderdale Council on Facebook. If you’re worried about further rainfall, sign up for flood alerts at https://fwd.environment-agency.gov.uk/app/olr/register(external link) or by calling Floodline on