The community response in the wake of Storm Darragh has been praised as we move ahead with a major scheme to protect homes and businesses from future flooding.
About 50 properties were flooded in Kirkbymoorside and surrounding villages due to heavy rainfall from Storm Darragh during the weekend of 7 and 8 December.
Hundreds more properties were cut off without power and there were 160 reports of fallen trees blocking the county’s roads.
We responded swiftly to the emergency, working closely with the local community and partners to support residents.
We are now progressing with a flood prevention scheme for at-risk properties, including several affected by the recent floods, with a bid for additional funding from the Government submitted this month.
An investigation into the flooding caused by Storm Darragh is also under way, with householders and business owners being encouraged to share their experiences to help shape future emergency responses.
Executive members Cllr Keane Duncan, whose responsibilities include flooding, and Cllr Heather Phillips, whose responsibilities include Stronger Communities, both praised the efforts to support people in the wake of Storm Darragh.
Cllr Duncan said: “The devastation and disruption caused across North Yorkshire by Storm Darragh was profound.
“People were evacuated to safety, pumps and sandbags deployed, and tens of blocked roads hastily cleared of debris. It was a valiant effort that showed the true strength of our communities.
“We are expanding our flood resilience scheme as quickly as possible so at-risk properties can be protected from any future flood events.”
Cllr Phillips added: “The council, our partners and communities rallied together in the aftermath to ensure residents were safe and supported.
“The council has worked effectively alongside town and parish councils, emergency services, the Environment Agency, Yorkshire Water and Northern Powergrid.
“I want to thank everyone involved at every level, from the council, our partners and local people, for their sterling efforts in the face of immense challenges.
“Our thoughts are with all those who have been affected and our support will continue, with our local assistance centre at the Moorside Room in Kirkbymoorside remaining open for as long as required.”
Cllr Duncan approved plans earlier this month to seek additional funding from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Regional Flood and Coastal Committee to support delivery of the flood resilience scheme. An update on the funding bid is due in the New Year.
Residents can benefit from up to £7,000 to pay for property resilience measures to reduce the impact from flooding.
The scheme has already proven particularly successful with high participation rates in Malton and Norton, with properties receiving door barriers, specialist airbricks and valves, waterproof copings and pumps.
The scheme will now be expanded to include properties in Gilling East, Hovingham, Kirkbymoorside, Kirkby Mills, Sinnington and Thornton-le-Dale.
Executive member for managing our environment, Cllr Greg White, who represents the Kirkbymoorside and Dales division, urged the authority to push ahead with the scheme.
He added: “The quantity of resources deployed into the area from the council, emergency services, Northern Powergrid and Openreach was impressive.
“I also want to pay tribute to the many, local volunteers, landowners and our own highways team members, who worked quickly to reopen the many roads that had been blocked by fallen trees.”
Cllr George Jabbour, who represents the Helmsley and Sinnington division on North Yorkshire Council, said: “I represent a rural division that covers areas that have been badly affected by floods, including the recent ones. Therefore, I had regularly and proactively raised this issue in the past, both at council meetings and in the media.
“I also attended an event in Kirkbymoorside with representatives from North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and the Environment Agency to increase awareness about flood-protection measures.
“I very much welcome news that work on the programme is progressing.”
A major operation was also launched in Malton and Norton following the storm, with 19 pumps deployed in the towns as the River Derwent reached a level of 4.78 metres at its peak.
Cllr Duncan, who represents the Norton division, said: “Our well-established pumping plan worked as planned thanks to the efforts of all the agencies involved.
“I am pleased Norton Road was able to open to two-way traffic much more swiftly than during the previous closure of County Bridge in December 2023 due to the new detachable bollards.
“Sadly, sewage continues to pollute residential gardens during flood events and the council is clear that this is unacceptable.
“We hope Yorkshire Water can act to address this problem, and we have reaffirmed our commitment to working with them to end this appalling situation.”
Anyone affected by flooding caused by Storm Darragh is being asked to email floodriskmanagement@northyorks.gov.uk outlining their experiences. More information about the flood resilience scheme can be requested from the same email address.
Support for householders and businesses affected by the flooding is available by calling us on 0300 131 2 131 and saying “flooding information” when prompted.