The Floods - One Year On

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Grimsby Telegraph

Thursday, December 4 - Wednesday, December 10, 2014

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THE FLOODS: ONE YEAR ON

Flood damage ran into tens

WASHED AWAY: Damage to the hut at The Donna Nook Seal Sanctuary

100 seals and pups swept away by storm MORE than 100 seals and pups at Donna Nook nature reserve were swept away by the storm.

Many seals were orphaned after they became separated from their mothers at the North Somercotes reserve.

The reserve was forced to remain closed until the seals returned to the sea at the turn of the year.

BADLY HIT: The Donna Nook Seal Sanctuary

Fences worth an estimated £25,000 were washed away, meaning the area was unsafe for the many thousands of visitors who flock each winter.

Repairs have since been made to the fence at Donna Nook and additional gates included allowing for more escape points for seals in the event of another surge tide.

Sadly one grey seal was run over and killed after being displaced by the tidal surge.

Staff had opened gates and cut holes in a fence along a viewing area to allow the seals to escape the surge of water.

It is believed that the dead seal became disorientated and failed to find its way back.

BY SAM KINNAIRD sam.kinnaird@gsmg.co.uk Twitter: @GTsamkinnaird DEVASTATING damage caused by December’s tidal surge at Immingham Dock ran into tens of millions of pounds.

Higher lock gates and improved flood defences are top of the priority list following the extensive flooding that was still stifling some operations at the country’s largest port by tonnage until as late as the spring Robert Goodwill, the Prime Minister’s regional flood recovery minister, met with Associated British Ports executives and Environment Agency representatives at Immingham earlier this year to discuss requirements to build up resilience to such exceptional events.

The December surge wiped out Immingham’s Seafarers Centre and the centre’s minibus, which transports the seafarers to and from their vessels to the centre.

It would not reopen until September when ABP director John Fitzgerald, who performed the official opening, told how he had been “worried

VISIT: John Fitzgerald, left, ABP director, shows floods minister, Robert Goodwill, a plan of the docks during his visit to the port of Immingham for the soul of Immingham docks” in the wake of the traumatic flood.

But he said the mission had risen like a phoenix to restore

the services for seafarers and provide new facilities and surroundings for visitors.

The surge left a trail of destruction, which has meant

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Environment Agency Humber Manager quizzed on the work that has been carried out p4-5

to docks of millions DAMAGE: Cleethorpe promenade suffered extensive damage as a result of the high water tidal surge

‘Danger to life’ warning issued as worst tidal surge in 60 years hits

the whole centre had to be refloored and redecorated throughout.

Fish in the ornamental garden pond inside the mission were swept away while other fish life from the Humber was washed in.

New facilities include a plush cafe bar which serves hot food and drinks. There is also wi-fi communication throughout the centre as well as large TV screens, and the function room, with its hi-tech projection system, can be used as a conference room.

The centre also has a new 15-seater minibus to replace the old one.

Production only resumed in May at Immingham biodiesel plant Greenergy following the devastating floods.

At the worst point on the evening of December 5, water levels in the facility reached seven feet in places, resulting in extensive damage to electrical equipment and pumps.

Processes were shut down safely in advance of the flooding, fortunately with no loss of fuel and no injuries.

All critical equipment damaged by flooding was replaced and a phased programme of re-commissioning got under-

way, allowing for testing and adjustments during the restart process.

Greenergy staff co-ordinated the rebuilding of the site from a temporary office in Grimsby and moved back into their new offices at the facility towards the end of May. Asked about funding for flood defences, Mr Goodwill said on his visit that there was an ongoing programme of flood defences that can be tapped into.

Referring to Grimsby, where recently completed work combined with the quick-thinking of ABP’s team to lower the water level with the docks, ensuring no homes or businesses were affected when the lock gates breached, he added: “We are seeing how this investment is protecting communities. The fact Grimsby was protected was down to investment and quick thinking of the Dock Master.

“If anyone deserves a medal it is him.”

Cleethorpes MP Martin Vickers told fellow MPs: “If the industry of Northern Lincolnshire and the Humberside area is to go forward, as we all want it to, they need the security that government is behind them.”

THE tidal surge was described as one of the worst in 60 years, with gale force winds battering North East Lincolnshire, felling trees and ripping roofs from buildings, from as early as 9am.

Early that morning, the authorities called homeowners and warned them of the potential for flooding.

Throughout the afternoon, the flood sirens were repeatedly sounded in advance of the tidal surge and, as afternoon turned to early evening, flood water began to swamp the East Coast.

At about 2pm, the Environment Agency issued a Severe Flood Warning for areas near to the sea defences in Humberston, low-lying areas in Grimsby and areas near to the sea defences in Cleethorpes. This was later extended to include Grant Thorold, East Marsh, West Marsh and Old Clee.

The warning was the highest level of risk and was later upgraded to the warning of a “danger to life”.

At 4.30pm, Network Rail suspended train services east of Barnetby.

The emergency services and local authorities across the Humber began preparing in earnest for “an ingression of water” from about 5pm onwards.

At 5.03pm, the coastguard measured the water level at Immingham Dock. It was 7.4 metres, two metres higher than normal, and high tide was still two hours away.

Photographs began to appear on social networking sites of people visiting the seafront to watch the waves breaching the prom. North East Lincolnshire Council issued a warning to people to stay away from the prom – as there a danger of people being swept away by a wave.

Regardless, people joined the media at the seafront to view the spectacle.

Residents living in two-storey buildings in the low-lying areas of Grimsby and Cleethorpes were told to move themselves to the second floor. Vulnerable residents, or those living in single-storey buildings, were advised to move to respite centres.

Staff were asked to leave Grimsby Town Hall at around 3.30pm.

DAMAGED: High winds brought a tree crashing through Glenn Thow’s home at Ivy Farm Court, Healing At about 5pm, Freshney Place – all geared up for late-night trading – announced it was closing.

Police officers walked around the town centre advising people to go home. Other events were cancelled.

About an hour before high tide, water breached the Humberston Fitties. Residents stayed firm, insisting on not abandoning their homes, but at 6.15pm residents of the Humberston Fitties were forcibly evacuated as the danger of flooding increased.

This continued for at least half an hour as low-level water flooded the area.

Five minutes later, water breached the lock gates at Grimsby Docks, and there was a power cut affecting half of the area. Security staff

were aiding remaining people off the docks, and cars were driving through water. It eventually went into a state of “lock-down” due to flooding.

At 6.45pm, the drains on Cleethorpes Promenade began to overflow, and moments later Humberston Fitties was reported to be under three feet of water.

High tide occurred at 7.06pm and at 7.10pm, relieved residents in the Suggitt’s Lane area, were returning to their homes just after high tide.

Seven coaches took most of the Fitties residents and their pets to emergency shelters for the night because of concerns about a reoccurrence the following morning.

DANGER: A bystander braves the waves on Cleethorpes Sea Front

EVACUATED: Remains of water and sandbags at Humberston Fitties. Seven coaches took most of the Fitties residents and their pets to emergency shelters for the night

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Thursday, December 4 - Wednesday, December 10, 2014

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THE FLOODS: ONE YEAR ON

‘We can’t remove risk of flooding A year on from the floods, reporter SIMON LEONARD quizzed Environment Agency Humber Manager Mike Dugher on the work that has been carried out – and what has still to be done

Q

Since December 5 last year, what work has been carried out on tidal defences in the areas hit along the Trent and the Humber and how much has been spent?

A

Along the south bank of the Humber and the Trent, 19km of defences were overtopped and these have been repaired.

That includes repairing embankments where they were overtopped.

When the water comes over, it washes part of the bank away and we have repaired that with clay materials.

The intention was to put things back to the way they were and we got additional funding for this.

We have spent £3 million on the south bank and used about 13,000 tonnes of clay, with about another £3 million on the tidal Trent.

The Environment Agency get money from Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) and some of that money is spent every year on new and improved defences.

Money was made available from the government at the end of 2013.

Q

Has work on flood defences purely been focused on repairing the damage of the December 2013 floods? If not, what improvements have been made?

A

The repair work that has taken place has mainly been on the December 2013 floods, but we always have an ongoing programme of work.

The project at West Stockwith was already in the planning stage and it was in the programme

to be replaced.

On this one, it was replacing the steel gate and it works as part of the defence.

We have been working on the Grimsby and Cleethorpe defences for two years now and that is 2.5km of defences in its own right.

That has been in development planning for a number of years and it is part of an ongoing programme of work.

We have a plan called the Humber Flood Risk Management Strategy.

Working to repair

Q A

What work are you still planning to do and what’s the timescale for it?

We are working with Defra and the government for the next six years.

After the Autumn Statement, we will know what money we have been allocated.

We will have a bit more work to finish at Grimsby and Cleethorpes and we have areas in South Ferriby.

We have some work we want to do and it (funding) is allocated against a national programme of work.

We get money made available through Defra and some of that money goes towards maintenance and some of that money goes into new and improved defences.

IMPROVEMENT: Top, repair work at New Holland. Below, work on the West Stockwith defence

Q

Do you think the £6 million funding applied for from the Government will be enough to strengthen the Humber defences to prevent a repeat?

If not, how much money do you realistically need?

A

We are not 100 per cent sure. We have already spent £6 million to repair defences across the Humber and the Trent and we are bidding for £6 million.

The way in which funding is allocated to floods now is partnership funding.

For any particular scheme, there is a certain amount of funding that is available.

Depending on the benefits to that area, there might not be enough to fund the entire scheme so we look to work on other sources of money.

Some of these are local authorities, parish councils and significant businesses, and we are working with the local enterprise partnership.

In South Ferriby, there is £6 million of work we would like to do and that is the sort of money we would bid for.

We are introducing measures to reduce the risk of flooding.

In some places, we have done temporary work and in Burringham there is some permanent repair work next summer.

It is an ongoing programme of works to protect the Humber Estuary and we are protecting against tidal flooding.

With climate change and sea levels rising, we will need to continue to invest.

Q

What lessons have been learned from the events

of December 5 last year and the weeks and months which followed?

A

The tidal surge we had in December was a very significant flood that we had and the majority of the flood defences did what they were designed to do.

In many places there were overtopped and this exceeded their designed level.

It was a real reminder to ourselves and communities that areas cannot be protected against everything.

We have reviewed the way in which we can work with the partner agencies, such as emergency services and local authorities, so we can all work together.

We work very closely with the Met Office and the Flood Forecasting Centre.

With tidal surge, we can look five days ahead to give us an indication as to whether we are likely to have a problem.

On December 5 (2013), we

issued many flood warnings.

It is really important that people who live in an area that might be at risk of flooding make sure they register with the Environment Agency to receive a flood warning.

Q

Which agencies are you working with and how much consultation has been given with parish councils and individual land or homeowners over reducing flood risks?

A

There are a number of things and the first is through the Civil Contingencies Act. We work as part of the local resilience forum with police and fire – professional bodies.

Within that group, we look to identify what the risks are and we make sure we have made an appropriate risk assessment.

It is important that links are down to parish council levels.

There are things that we

THE Environment Agency has released a breakdown of work completed across North and North East Lincolnshire since the December floods last year.

The following work has been completed: South Ferriby: Repairs to the tidal outfall doors at the East Drain are ongoing. Minor repairs to the flood walls near the Hope and Anchor pub are expected to be completed by Christmas.

Winteringham: Minor repairs were completed by the end of March.

Barrow Haven: Completed an inspection of the existing tidal doors and expect to begin works to carry out minor improvements to the Haven flood banks this month.

New Holland: Reinstated 4km of tidal flood bank to the west and east of New Holland.

Far Ings, Barton: Completed defence repairs in May. North Lincolnshire Council has resurfaced the flood bank crest to provide a footpath.

Continuing to work with North Lincolnshire Council to make further repairs to the flood banks near to the Waterside car park.

Burringham: Temporary repairs are in place, currently finalising design of a permanent solution. Expect to start works to build the defence in spring 2015.

Keadby/Amcotts: Works to make Keadby Pumping Station more flood resilient have been completed. Ongoing maintenance will continue.

Surveyed and removed silt from several outfalls in the area.

Owston Ferry: Looking at carrying out works to stabilise the river channel using stone.

These works should take place would encourage people to do themselves.

There are areas affected in December that have not experienced flooding recently.

Q

If the same tidal wave was to strike now, would we notice a difference or would the villages be hit again?

A

The normal tidal condition and the meteorological effects contribute together to give that particular tidal surge.

We have repaired everything in the condition we had before and we have increased in particular areas.

We are not just repairing defences at the level and walking away.

We cannot just invest once in a defence that would protect everywhere against all flooding.

We have a long-term strategy and there is not one thing that we can do.

following similar repair works elsewhere on the Trent, using the same plant and contractors.

West Stockwith: Completed repairs to erode sections of bank on the River Trent. Will be placing more stone to improve resilience. Replaced the tidal gate at West Stockwith Pumping Station and are installing controls.

Amended Flood Warning thresholds: Made minor changes to the thresholds at which different warnings are issued. These changes are based on what level the water has reached in relation to the height of the defence and means warnings may be issued at slightly lower water levels.

People will still receive the same advance warning that flooding is expected. Reviews are standard practice after any flooding.

The Government’s immediate focus after the flooding was on repairing defences damaged by the tidal surge. However, the agency has also carried out a number of improvements to defences on the Humber and tidal Trent over the past four to five years as part of a continual and ongoing programme of investment as set out in the Humber Flood Risk Management Strategy.

This includes: A major scheme which is currently taking place to construct a new flood defence along 2,500m of the Humber bank near to the Port of Grimsby, which will reduce tidal flood risk to more than 14,000 properties in the town.

Replacing the tidal gate at West Stockwith Pumping Station and installing controls.

We have also placed more

At the end of the day, at the moment around the Humber Estuary as a whole, 400,000 people live in risk of flooding.

It is a vast amount.

We cannot remove the risk all together, but we can be more prepared for it because of what we experienced last December.

The defences have been repaired, but they are still at the same level.

We will reduce the risk and the likelihood of flooding happening, but we cannot remove it all together.

Q

With the constantly changing climate, what are the chances of the tidal surge from the Humber ever repeating itself ?

A

In terms of these exact conditions being replicated, it is difficult to predict.

We can predict quite a long way into the future what the normal tidal cycle will look

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COMING UP

Overview of how the tidal surge hit North Lincolnshire and the east coast p6-7

... but we can be more prepared’

our flood defences stone on sections of bank at the Trent/Idle confluence.

Gunness – toe piling and bank stoning upstream of Keadby Bridge in 2011.

Previously carried out approximately 2km of plastic piling to provide toe support and alleviate seepage downstream of Gunness Wharf.

Halton Marshes Flood Alleviation Scheme – the £2.7 miilion scheme, completed in 2010, reduced flood risk to nationally- important business including port storage facilities, refineries and other industry as well as homes. The scheme improved 900 metres of flood defences at East Halton, near to North Killingholme Haven, using steel piles, concrete and rock armour.

Stallingborough Flood Alleviation Scheme – a £4.9 million scheme, which took place in 2009, improved 1.6km of coastal defences. The works maintained flood protection for 10,197 homes in Grimsby, Immingham and surrounding villages.

The Halton Marshes and Stallingborough Flood Alleviation Schemes were part of the Humber Package of Works identified by the Humber Flood Risk Management Strategy. The £36 million package reduced flood risk to thousands of homes and businesses in North Lincolnshire and East Yorkshire.

Freshney FAS: The scheme, completed in 2013, created a new flood defence bank on the New Cut Drain as well changes to the Freshney Washland Flood Storage Reservoir. It reduces the risk of flooding from the River Freshney and New Cut Drain to properties on the Willows Estate as well as to like.

In another year, there is a likelihood that we will see other climatic conditions come together, including low pressures and wind speed that coincide with high tides.

There is a chance.

Sea levels are rising and we know the climate is changing.

Q

What changes have you made to the flood warning systems in the light of last year’s events?

A

We are really encouraging people that it is very important they have registered to receive the Environment Agency’s flood warnings and their details are up-to-date.

You can register to receive the warnings in a number of different ways.

In one area of Barrow, we have extended the flood warnings. There were still flood warnings for the Barrow area, but we have extended

going into the future.

Residents that are at risk of flooding should make sure they are signed up to the flood warnings and their details are up-to-date.

Q

Should people be confident in buying property in Trentside villages or along the Humber bank?

A

It is important people understand a particular risk area of a particular property.

We want people to make informed decisions about where they live and I think making that informed decision is the right way to do it.

There are defences that we put in place to reduce the risk of flooding.

They can start by looking at information about what defences are in place.

livestock.

Businesses that include animals and livestock need to understand what the risks are to their business.

We can issue flood warnings to businesses as well as individual homeowners.

Q

What, if any, action plan exists if flooding hits North Lincolnshire again?

A

It goes back to the Humber Flood Risk Management Strategy.

There is a multi-agency flood plan that we would look to work to.

There are prior risk assessments and prior planning put in place.

Q

How financially detrimental would further flooding be on the Environment Agency and its partner agencies?

A

DEFENCE REPAIRS: Repair work taking place at Barrow Haven. Left, bank repairs at Goxhill

homes on Wybers Wood.

For advice, visit www.gov.uk/flood or call Floodline on 0345 9881188 The Environment Agency leaflet – What to do before, during and after a flood – gives practical advice about what people can do to protect themselves, their families and their property.

The information is available on nationalfloodforum.org.uk or by calling 01299 403055.

In that run-up to Christmas last year, it was a difficult time for people.

As people are recovering and getting back into their homes, it is important that they look at how they can make themselves and their homes more resilient in the future.

If they have not already, I would urge them to sign up to receive a flood warning.

them.

Q

Do you think villages like South Ferriby should have flood sirens and do you plan to recruit/train more flood wardens?

A

In terms of how individuals and communities should be warned about flooding, our primary way of doing that is through our flood warnings service.

Sirens would not be our primary way of warning people.

With flood warnings, we can let people know that flooding is expected that day.

It is a system that works and it is a system that we use across the country.

Flood wardens can help work with us to best understand what the risks are and we would really encourage people to come forward.

The flow of information is really important.

Q

What is your message to those families whose homes have been destroyed

by December’s floods and those who are still not back in their homes?

A

I have spoken to some people who were directly affected by the flooding.

It is a devastating impact on individuals, their families and their homes and it does take time to recover.

Q

What assurances would you give residents in affected areas that their homes are now safer in the event of tidal surges similar to that of December 5 last year? Is there anything more residents could be doing?

A

We have an ongoing programme of routine maintenance and we have repaired the defences that have been damaged to get the defences in as good a condition as we can.

We have programmes of work

Responding to a flooding incident is our primary

role.

We don’t have a duty to protect flood defences and we cannot always guarantee that everything can be repaired.

We would take the money that we have available and if additional money is made available we spend it as wisely as we can.

Q

Do you think planning laws should be tightened up regarding developments on flood plains (like the Lincolnshire Lakes project near Scunthorpe)?

Should builders who ignore warnings and build on flood plains be liable for the cost of damage or can you take action if such warnings/recommendations are ignored?

A

The Environment Agency is a statutory consultee.

We can provide evidence around what is the level of flood risk around that area.

Whether planning is granted, the local authority makes decisions based on a range of aspects.

If they decide to grant planning permission then our clear remit is to work with the planning authority and the developers to make sure the development is safe.

Q

The number of animals killed in the flooding of December 2013 was considerable.

What measures have been taken to protect animal as well as human life?

A

There is the ongoing investment to maintenance and improved defences.

Some of the areas include businesses and some of these are industrial or involve

Q

How much has been spent in the last year on flood defences around Grimsby, Cleethorpes and Immingham?

A

We started the scheme in Grimsby and Cleethorpes before December (2013).

The cost of that scheme as a whole is £14 million and there are over 14,000 properties.

We started it in May 2013.

That is 2.5km of defences at Grimsby and Cleethorpes.

Q

What is the main threat – coastal or inland flooding?

There were drainage problems on West Marsh, Grimsby, is that the cause of inland flooding?

A

Flooding can come from a number of sources. It can come from surface water or ground water.

In the town, Grimsby tidal flooding is likely to have a bigger impact.

Q A

What is the threat of rising sea levels along our coast?

We know that the sea levels are rising.

In the future, the likelihood of flooding is only going to increase.

At the moment, sea levels are rising about 5mm a year.

It is important we factor in climate change and it is important that is built into the planning process when the planning authority and developers look at developing.

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THE FLOODS: ONE YEAR ON Shortly after 7pm on Thursday, December 5, high tide arrived in North Lincolnshire and the predicted tidal surge saw water flood into the villages on the banks of the River Trent and the River Humber. We assess how each of those villages was affected

Alkborough: Farmland badly flooded with a lake created over seven acres.

Lots of animals died in the fields.

Power lost to the village led to school being closed on Friday.

Burton-Upon-Stather: Village pub The Ferry Boat affected by internal flooding, along with two houses and a farm badly damaged. A lot of rubbish was washed up.

Amcotts: Parish council clerk Julie Reed said: “Fortunately Amcotts didn’t bear the brunt of the damage.” One property on the outskirts had some damage, but mostly gardens flooded.

Whitton: Water got into the grounds of some homes, but didn’t get into properties. The damage was mostly to outhouses and garages, but the village was without power for 23 hours.

Winteringham: 11 homes in the village flooded along with damage to the A1077. Parish council chairman Kay Ashberry said: “It could have been a lot worse in the village.”

Barton-Upon-Humber: Flooding at Reeds Hotel and on Far Ings Road.

Councillor John Oxley said: “Barton was extremely lucky. Whoever designed the defences deserves a medal.”

South Ferriby: Took the brunt of the damage. 124 properties flooded, many of them badly. Cars and debris washed away. Described as “worst day in village’s history”.

New Holland: Main village was not affected, properties on the outskirts were. A few homes and the school had internal damage, but the school stayed open.

Barrow-Upon-Humber: Barrow escaped, but Barrow Haven was very badly hit. The pub suffered serious damage and a number of other homes were affected.

A15 Flixborough: Three people reported missing, believed to have fallen into River Trent. Search and rescue helicopter launched, but the people were found safe.

Keadby: There were eight homes affected on Station Road in the town, with a further few down Chapel Lane.

Sands Close was also affected by flooding.

BURST BANKS: Pictures of flooding in Keadby provided by Pink Elephant Photography

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Gunness: Houses and nursing home near river flooded, along with four homes on Gunness straight. School really badly damaged, but main part of village unaffected.

Burringham: Approximately 70 homes affected, lots of which were near the river bank. Parish council chairman Val Turner said: “It hit the village quite badly as far as I know.”

East Butterwick: Water came over the bank to highlight defence issues but only one house in the village is believed to have been affected by flooding.

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West Butterwick: Parish council chairman Bunty Harris said: “We were lucky really. Water did come over the bank and flooded some drives, and only went into a few houses.”

Althorpe: A hole appeared in the bottom of the bank by the river. Parish council chairman Peter Johnson said: “I don’t think any homes have been affected.”

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View videos from the floods at grimsbytelegraph.co.uk

Immingham: Tens of millions of pounds worth of damage was caused at Immingham Dock including to the Seafarers Centre which was wiped out. ABP Director John Fitzgerald, who performed the official reopening of the centre in September, told how he had been “worried for the soul of Immingham docks” in the wake of the traumatic flood. At 5.03pm, the coastguard measured the water level at Immingham Dock. It was 7.4 metres, two metres higher than normal, and high tide was still two hours away.

Immingham Dock

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Cleethorpes seafront

Grimsby: Only the quick-thinking of ABP’s team to lower the water level with the docks ensured no homes or businesses were affected when the lock gates were breached. Freshney Place closed early despite being geared up for late night shopping.

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Cleethorpes: Residents living in two-storey buildings in the low-lying areas of Grimsby and Cleethorpes were told to move themselves to the second floor. Vulnerable residents, or those living in single-storey buildings, were advised to move to respite centres.

Cleethorpes saw huge waves overtop the sea defences, with many people risking their lives by standing on the promenade to take pictures, despite warnings against doing so.

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Donna Nook

Humberston: About an hour before high tide, water breached the Humberston Fitties. Residents stayed firm, insisting on not abandoning their homes but at 6.15pm, residents of the Fitties were forcibly evacuated as the danger of flooding increased. This continued for at least half an hour as low-level water flooded the area.

Donna Nook : More than 100 seals and pups at Donna Nook nature reserve were swept away by the storm, and many seals were orphaned after they became separated from their mothers. The reserve was forced to remain closed until the seals returned to the sea at the turn of the year.

Fences worth an estimated £25,000 were washed away, meaning the area was unsafe for the many thousands of visitors who flock each winter.

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THE FLOODS: ONE YEAR ON ‘Keadby should not be ignored’

BEFORE AND AFTER: Flooding at Gunness and Burringham Church of England Primary School and, right, head teacher Angela Ellis in the repaired classroom

Flood-hit school ‘running as normal’ after £300,000 work

DISRUPTION was commonplace after the floods, but one North Lincolnshire school was hit particularly badly.

The rising flood water forced Gunness and Burringham Church of England Primary School to be evacuated, with children unable to attend for six days.

Even when the water had been pumped out of the school building, the damage was such that teaching was simply not possible at the Station Road site.

As a result, the school had to be moved almost five miles

‘Absolutely awful time’

A NIGHTMARE 12 months – that’s the verdict from a number of residents in Gunness.

Several homes in the village were evacuated as a result of last year and a number have only recently returned home.

Wharfdale Close was one of the worst-affected streets, with some residents only hearing the calls to evacuate over the radio and being hit with floods not seen on the higher sections of Gunness Straight.

One Wharfdale resident, who did not wish to be named, has only moved back into his property in the last month.

He said: “I’ve only just managed to get back in. The work has taken so long.

“It should have been July, but the company that has been helping has been so slow.

“It’s been absolutely awful – I had to go and live with my mother, who is elderly and not well, and it just wasn’t fair on her at all. It’s been a nightmare.

“We’ve got a new flood door and barriers, so I’ve been told if it happens again we’ll only get a cupful, but I’m not sure.”

“Last time the flooding was through the wharf, and we’ve heard stories that they still haven’t done anything about it, so there’s a constant worry it might happen again.”

BY ROB DILLON rob.dillon@gsmg.co.uk Twitter: @Rob_scuntel

east, taking residence at the disused Riddings Infant School on Dragonby Road.

Head teacher Angela Ellis said the work involved in the clean-up was phenomenal.

She said: “There was a huge amount of upheaval, and the biggest problem was preparing the Riddings School to receive the children and provide an education that we could maintain.

“At the same time, we were trying to clean up and refurbish our own school – the amount of work was phenomenal.”

Despite the upheaval, Mrs Ellis said children and staff had dealt remarkably well with the changes.

She said: “The staff were brilliant in the amount of work they put in, and we tried to make Riddings as much like the children’s school as possible – taking displays over and salvaging the trays we could.

“We bussed the children across from the village and the

staff put in so much work, it was a remarkable effort.

“We had a great deal of support from parents and the community as well, without which we just wouldn’t have been able to manage. It was a great team effort.”

Yet a year on from the flooding – which caused an estimated £300,000 of damage – it’s business as usual on Station Road.

Children moved back into the school after the February half-term following a wide-reaching refurbishment, and have been enjoying their

new surroundings ever since.

Mrs Ellis said: “We’ve had a huge refurbishment, and despite last year’s challenges, we’re running as normal.

“Obviously we’re aware of the ongoing issues around the river with the Environment Agency, but they’re working on that and we’re working with them where we can.

“I try not to think about it happening again – it’s beyond my control and comprehension – but things are back to usual and it’s been a great effort.”

‘We had an emergency plan and on the night it was not worth the paper it was written on’ WINTERINGHAM will be much better prepared should another tidal surge hit the Humber in future.

Eleven properties were evacuated in the village last year and although most people are now back in their homes, it has been a harrowing 12 months.

Kay Ashberry, chairwoman of Winteringham Parish Council, said they have learnt lessons and will be better prepared if it happens again, but they can’t rest on their laurels.

She said: “We are supposed to get a surge twice in 100 years, but you could end up having two surges in one year and nothing for 100 years. As long as the conditions don’t combine to give us another surge we’re safe.

“I don’t think anyone would say it’s not going to happen. We can’t rest on our laurels because sea levels are still rising. We’ve got to look at our defences all the time.

“Last year, we were not getting the right newsletter.

We’ve all signed up for the right newsletter now and the EA have been very good with the alerts.

“We will not stick our heads in the sand. If we get the alert we will take notice.

We had an emergency plan and on the night it was not worth the paper it was writ-

FLOODED: Alkborough Flats ten on. You think you can work out all the scenarios, but until something happens you can’t.

“Last year we were desperately trying to get sandbags and they came after the event. Now we have a stock of them.

“People who were flooded have had an awful time.”

She said some moved back into their homes while work was still going on.

“It’s traumatic when your house is not ready and you have to move back in,” she said. “Some people were on medication for the stress.

“It was a frightening experience for everyone.”

She said she’s concerned about the Beck overflowing as the water comes out through Winteringham.

“We would have had another 40 houses flooded, but luckily the level stayed down last year,” she said.

“Something has to be done with that. They are looking

into getting money to take mud out of it.”

She said some people in the village are still suffering and if it rains heavily their drains overflow and they get sewage in their properties.

“Some have been told if it happens again it will be hard to get insurance and one man in the village said ‘enough is enough’ and has moved out,” she said.

“We still have problems with Haven Bridge near the Humber Yawl yacht club.

During the floods, the water was coming around it and through it.

“It’s waiting for further structural repairs, but it’s all to do with funding. That’s a frustration for us.”

The A1077 between South Ferriby and Winteringham also gave way due to the amount of water, leaving it closed for three days last December.

In nearby Alkborough, a seven-acre lake formed from

the flooding around the village last year, leaving farmers to endure a long 12 months.

Alkborough Flats were under water, triggering a 48-hour operation involving a high volume pump to help drain out the lake which had formed.

Helen Rowson, whose farmland at Walcot was flooded, said: “I didn’t lose any animals because the cows moved into another field across a bridge, which was then washed away. That shows you the strength of the water.

“We’ve applied for funding for a new bridge and it’s just been approved so work will start on that when the weather improves.”

Helen’s partner, who has a farm on the Alkborough Flats, lost more than 100 lambs in the surge.

She said: “It took weeks for the water to go down. We were finding dead lambs weeks later. It was not very pleasant.

“The new banks at Alkborough were never supposed to over tip. It shocked us all.

“I don’t think you can prepare for it. It was a freak happening. We will never forget it and it will hopefully never happen again in my lifetime, but things are changing and nature seems to find a way of reinstating herself.”

THE community in Keadby felt a deep impact in the aftermath of the floods.

A number of properties on Station Road were caught as water rushed in from the damaged pumping station, but it was on Chapel Lane – directly opposite the riverbank – where the floods caused the most damage.

Owing to the camber of the road, only homes on the right-hand side were affected, causing thousands of pounds of damage.

Rachael Laing, the flood warden for the community, said nothing has been done to prevent a repeat flood, with neighbours on edge over the possibility.

She said: “It was absolutely horrendous – it came over the top of the bank and just gushed down our lane.

“We’ve been asking them to raise the bank, but nothing has happened and with our antiquated drainage system it’s a huge worry.

“It may only have been a few houses, but it’s caused thousands of pounds worth of damage and some people still aren’t back in their homes.

“We’ve had some money from the council, and we’re really grateful for it, but for me personally it won’t cover flood defences for all sides of my home, so it could happen again.”

Parish council chairman Peter Johnson said the bank was a priority for the village.

He said: “We were fortunate in that only a few homes were affected, but we still need to stop it happening again.

“If we could get the bank raised by even one metre it would make a huge difference, and that’s what we’re pushing for.”

Local ward councillor Trevor Foster said he was determined to make sure Keadby was not ignored.

He said: “The Environment Agency is expecting to produce a report in January, and then we’ll be applying pressure to make sure residents on this side of the bank get their fair share of the money and work.

“I know there’s a lot of money for this area, and I’m concerned it will all go on the Humber and not the Trent.

“But Keadby should not be ignored, and I’m working with residents to make sure that is the case – we won’t go away quietly.”

WARDEN: Rachael Laing

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COMING UP

The floods in pictures p12

‘Even now, every time I drive over the river, I look at it with a different pair of eyes’

BY DAVID ELLIOTT david.elliott@gsmg.co.uk Twitter: @david_scuntel A YEAR on from the floods, life for villagers in Burringham is slowly beginning to return to normal, but the memories refuse to go away.

The Trentside village was among the worst affected in North Lincolnshire by the tidal surge, with around 70 properties damaged.

The village was evacuated on the evening of December 5, hours before the floods hit.

And several residents were forced to spend significant periods of time away from their homes until repairs were completed.

Among them was Helen Sylvester, 37, of High Street, who only moved back into her house on October 20, having previously been in a rented home in Keadby.

She said she was still getting used to being back and felt it may take some time before her house would feel like home again.

Mrs Sylvester said: “It is emotional. I am home, but I don’t feel I can relax yet.

“It still doesn’t feel right and we have still got a couple of

WELCOME HOME: Helen Sylvester, who returned to her Burringham home in October after being flooded last December

jobs outside to finish, so the utility room is full of possessions from the shed.

“I think this week is going to be very hard.

“It was horrendous. Even now, every time I drive over the river, I look at it with a different pair of eyes.”

Mrs Sylvester said she and

PRESSURE: Donna Harland assesses the damage to her home in Burringham last year

her husband moved as much as they could upstairs and emptied the kitchen cupboards.

She later went to Gainsborough for the night with her five-year-old son.

She said: “It was so surreal that night.

“It felt desolate and we were just waiting for it to build up.

“We have lived here 12 years and a lot of people were adamant it wasn’t going to happen.

“I went to Gainsborough with my little boy and I was constantly ringing my husband to see what was happening.

“When I drove back the next day, I had a horrible knot of dread in my stomach.

“I drove around the whole village and I was more gutted for the school.”

Mrs Sylvester and her family moved to the rented property in Keadby on December 20, two weeks after the floods.

“We are hoping it will never happen again, but we were hoping it would not happen anyway” Donna Harland She said: “We didn’t want to be too far from the area and we had to keep coming back and keeping an eye on the property.

“We moved back on October 20. We were insured, but it wasn’t a pleasant experience at all.”

Also affected by the floods was Donna Harland, 41, who also lives on High Street.

She spent nine and a half months away from her home while repairs were ongoing on damage to buildings and con-

tents valued at £80,000.

She said: “We stayed in a bungalow a stone’s throw away and I saw the house go through everything.

“We were told if we’d had a fire, we would have been back in quicker than with a flood.

“When we were given a final date to move back in, we couldn’t believe it and the reason was it had happened five times before.”

Describing the year since the floods, Mrs Harland said: “It has been up and down and it has put quite a bit of pressure on the family, but you have got to think of people in worse positions.

“When we did finally move back in, it was like we had never left.”

Mrs Harland said she would be taking advantage of the grant available through North Lincolnshire Council to help make her house more flood resilient.

She said: “I think we are having two flood doors put in.

“We are hoping it will never happen again, but we were hoping it would not happen anyway.

“You have always got to try to prevent rather than cure.

“It was a long nine months, but we are certainly better now and we will be more prepared next time.”

High Street residents are set to gather tomorrow (Friday) to mark the first anniversary of the floods.

Mrs Harland praised the community spirit shown in the wake of the tidal surge.

She said: “The amount of support from friends and family and people who don’t know me was amazing.

“With the amount of people who came forward, you know who your friends are in times like this.

“Everybody was brilliant and we went through some bad times, but there was always someone there for us.”

‘Our bedrooms and hallway were full of water and mud’ FLOODING in Burringham extended across the village, with homes in several areas affected.

Lorraine Dunderdale, 55, suffered extensive damage at her bungalow on The Meadows.

Reliving the events of December 5 last year, she said: “It came from the back, from Stone Lane.

“We were asked to evacuate and my husband did,

but I didn’t.

“The water was at my door, up to the door frame, but then it just seemed to go.

“I thought we were OK, but I went to get changed into my pyjamas at about 11pm and the room was full of mud and water.

“It got into all four bedrooms at the back and halfway up the hall.”

Mrs Dunderdale said work to repair the property had

continued until September.

She said: “We are nearly there now, we have just got all of the things that were in storage left and we are trying to sort that out.

“We were asked if we wanted to move out and we were looking for rented accommodation, but we were told we would have to move everything out of the house.

“We had two bedrooms

done and moved into them and then the other two were done, so it took a little bit longer than usual.

“It was finished by September, but we are still not fully sorted out.”

Mrs Dunderdale said she had been forced to buy new beds, carpets and flooring for the hallway.

But she said others in the village had come off far worse after the flooding.

She said: “We didn’t get it as bad as a lot of people and some people couldn’t stay in their houses.

“It was a bit of a nightmare with the inconvenience, but the insurance people and everybody else has been really good.

“We got a year where we didn’t have to pay rates.

“It was a bit of a pain, but others got it a lot worse and lost everything.”

ACTION NEEDED: Councillor Dave Oldfield

‘More work must be done’ MORE must be done to prevent future flooding in the Burringham area, according to ward councillor Dave Oldfield.

Mr Oldfield, who represents the village and neighbouring Gunness on North Lincolnshire Council, said action needed to be taken.

He said this should include raising the River Trent banks to prevent overtopping in the event of a tidal surge like the one last December.

And he expressed concern that although money has been allocated for flood defence work, significant improvements were yet to be made a year on.

He said: “I have got great concerns because nothing is going on.

“There seems to be a lot of people talking about what is going to happen, but not a lot happening on the ground.

“We know the Government has come up with £13.3 million and North Lincolnshire Council has come up with money, which is all good.

“The Lucent Group is putting some money into reinforcing the banks, but we want the flood defences improving.

“We need another metre on that bank and whatever needs to go on the Isle side.

“We need to protect these communities which were hit last December and up to now we have done nothing.

“We have to put a metre on the banks and the weak points are the wharves.

“We have to put flood doors up and we have got to protect ourselves from another surge like that because it could happen.”

Mr Oldfield said some residents in Burringham had fitted flood doors to their properties since the tidal surge, while others had put up flood walls.

But he felt more lessons had to be learned to stop damage to properties in the future.

He said: “Let’s keep the water in the river.

“I don’t think we have learned to manage our water better.

“What we have got to look at is the overtopping we have suffered was catered for by the existing drainage.

“We know where the water goes now and we have got to make sure it goes into the natural drainage and it is dealt with in the same way we have managed water for centuries.

“Where there are dykes that need cleaning out, we have got to do it.”

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THE FLOODS: ONE YEAR ON On December 5 last year, a tidal surge in the River Humber led to some of the worst flooding and devastation recorded in North Lincolnshire. A year on, we visited some of the communities affected to find out how the past 12 months have been. SIMON LEONARD returned to arguably the worst-hit – South Ferriby WHEN the full might of the tidal surge hit in December last year, South Ferriby took the brunt of the damage.

Flooding swept through the village, destroying homes. A total of 129 properties were flooded, many of them badly.

Cars and debris washed away and it was described as “the worst day in the village’s history”.

The community rose up to face the damage and residents rallied together to aid recovery work in the days following the flooding.

One year on, residents are now back in their homes, but that day changed their lives forever.

John Osgerby, 61, of Andrews Road, was on his way out of his home that evening when the tidal surge hit – causing £80,000 worth of damage to his property.

He said: “With it being a bungalow, everything had to go.

“The insurance covered the damage, but there was about £80,000 by the time we finished.

“The people across the road took me in and I was out of my home for eight months.”

Mr Osgerby said he has lived in his home for eight years and has lived in the village all his life.

He said: “They were things that could be replaced.

“I saw the water spraying up

Residents still recovering from ‘worst day in village’s history’ DAMAGED: The banks in South Ferriby

across the road and it came all the way down the road.

“It was quite scary and inside it was about one foot deep, but outside it was about three feet deep.

“I came back the next morning and it was all clear in the village.”

And other residents on Andrews Road were hit hard by the events last December.

Father-of-two James Collins, 33, was in his house with his family when the tidal surge struck.

He said: “I was out for six months and I did not get back until June.

“There was a lot of damage and we had to stay in Barton.

“All the furniture was damaged and building wise, all the plaster had to be

flood warning when he returned from work that day.

He said: “I said we will take the kids up to your mum’s at the top of the village.

“We could see the water coming over and lapping over the other side of the road.”

knocked off the walls.

“The drying process took about eight weeks and we are talking about £60,000 worth of damage.

“The thing is, when something like that happens, you are pretty pleased that you have insurance.

“What you cannot replace is your peace of mind that it will never happen again – it is constantly in your mind.

“As far as community building goes, I spoke to people that I have never spoken to before.

“I feel even safer because of this.

“I think it will be a few years before people have that confidence in buying a house.”

Mr Collins, who has two children aged six and 12, said his wife informed him about the

“The insurance covered the damage, but there was about £80,000 by the time we finished” John Osgerby They had to abandon the car and started to walk back down, when a fellow villager picked them up in a 4x4.

Mr Collins returned to his home and said “there was a tidal wave of water coming down”.

That is when the village lost power.

“There was a lot of people on the street and we just watched it from the window,” he said.

RUINED: Resident John Osgerby at his flooded house in South Ferriby

Pantomime cash donation

PUPILS at South Ferriby Primary School will be getting a Christmas wish when they all see the pantomime this year.

The school was badly affected in the floods and it didn’t look like they would be able to see a pantomime this year.

But help came from local cement works Cemex, who donated £790.

Cathy Wynn, chairman of Friends of South Ferriby School, said: “We can hire buses and take the whole school to the panto.

“The kids didn’t get to go

last year so I contacted Cemex, as my husband used to work there, and the lady said get a letter in writing and I will see what we can do.”

Cemex then revealed they would donate the cash, which has been used to purchase the tickets and pay the bus company.

South Ferriby Primary School has 67 pupils and nine teachers, who will accompany them.

They will be going to a performance this month of Dick Whittington at Scunthorpe’s Plowright Theatre.

‘Once you have been flooded you become more conscious of what you take for granted’ A FEW miles from South Ferriby, the floods also brought problems in Barton, Barrow and New Holland.

The Reeds Hotel in Barton was forced to close permanently after being devastated by flood water, and the Old Tile Works in the town was also affected.

Elsewhere, the Haven Inn in Barrow Haven was badly damaged, with around 40 neighbouring residents forced to leave their flood-damaged homes.

Now, a year on from the floods, councillors in each of the three locations have spoken about the battle to regain normality and prepare for any future problems.

Barton mayor Councillor Jon Evison said: “The places where we had most of the damage was South Ferriby and Barrow Haven.

“The Environment Agency has done the Haven in Barton itself and protected Barton very well.

“There were a couple of

areas we were concerned about after the flood.

“It took a wall out of the Humber Bridge Viewing Area.

“In Barton, we had two properties that were damaged, but they are pretty much sorted out.

“The Environment Agency has a hotline to report through text and telephone and they will raise the alarm.

“Barton has an 83 per cent uptake of this service and part of that is due to the work we have.”

Carolyn Guy, chairman of Barrow-Upon-Humber Parish Council, said: “Because of Barrow Haven’s proximity to the river there was some damage from the Humber. But most of the damage to buildings and houses came from the surge coming back through The Haven.

“The swell came in and my understanding was that it was an unprecedented amount of water. The combinations of high tide and weather meant protection was breached.

“A lot of residents had to move out of their houses and there were around 40 properties vacated in total.

“No-one could have predicted it. The Environment Agency has been working on the banks both sides of the Humber from Barton to New Holland. They have been looking at the entire section and some work has also been done on the banks of the Haven.

“The majority of people are back in their houses now, but there are a few who have chosen not to for various reasons.

“We are now getting back into a time where flooding can occur, so have set up a community emergency plan. I am not one to attack anybody, but maybe flooding should have been looked at sooner.

Everything did seem to be working, especially as there had been no major flooding up until last year.

“We are keeping our ears open this time, and feel as

ready as we can be within reason.

“Once you have been flooded you become much more conscious of what you take for granted. You think about high tides, and it is important that people pay attention now.

“You cannot say it will never happen again. As sea levels change and we look at climate, things are changing worldwide and we just have to be more vigilant and do enough to help people protect their homes.”

Despite there being no major problems in New Holland, work has been carried out to improve the tidal flood bank after some outlying properties suffered flooding on December 5 last year.

Andrew Cheyne, chairman of New Holland Parish Council, said: “The village was mainly OK, but some outlying properties on Marsh Lane and Oxmarsh Lane were affected.

“The floods have, however,

CLOSED DOWN: Nicola Robinson, director of the former Reeds Hotel, Barton, on the damaged flood defences following tidal surge prompted the development of an emergency plan by the parish council. A fair bit of work has gone into it for any future issues.

“We are also putting flyers out appealing for information on everyone in the village. We want to know about people with expertise, specialist equipment or particular knowledge that could help in a potential disaster.

“It will cover vulnerable people as well, so we know where they live and can help them if a situation arises.

“The real issue is the bank and the Environment Agency has done a lot of work to repair it.

“Had the water breached the bank, we would have been devastated and the water would have come straight into New Holland.”

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Flooded chicken rearing farm where 700,000 birds died is back in business

£110k raised to help repair flooded homes

BY SIMON LEONARD simon.leonard@gsmg.co.uk Twitter: @simon_scuntel

CHICKEN rearing has resumed at one of the two North Lincolnshire farms which was totally wrecked by the floods a year ago.

A spokesman for 2 Sisters confirmed the Ogg farm at South Ferriby had reopened.

The second farm wrecked by the floods at nearby Winteringham is due to reopen early in the new year.

The spokesman added: “Both farms have been part of the local landscape for more than 30 years and currently provide jobs for six people.

“The effects of last year’s tidal surge were tragic for both animals and residents, and it cost a considerable sum to rebuild our farms.

“We have been advised a unique combination of factors caused this ‘once in a hundred years’ event.

“Both farms have been fully reinsured against flooding.”

But the £500,000-plus rebuild operation by the 2 Sisters company has come

under fire from animal welfare campaigners.

The backlash from Animal Aid came after the farm owners revealed 700,000 birds had been killed in the flood on December 5 last year.

Animal Aid director Andrew Tyler said: “Even though the Environment Agency has warned that the site, which is on a flood plain, is vulnerable to another deluge, 2 Sisters has rebuilt one of the farms and is rearing chickens there, while the other is being reconstructed.

“The meagre welfare laws and regulatory restraints currently in place must be strengthened and enforced.”

2 Sisters, which is part of Boparan Holding Limited, is the fourth biggest employer in North Lincolnshire.

More than 1,200 people work at the processing plant on Scunthorpe’s Foxhills Industrial Estate where more than two million birds are slaughtered every week.

NEARLY £110,000 has been raised for South Ferriby since the tidal surge hit the village last year.

Communities rallied together following the surge, which was the worst to hit North Lincolnshire in 60 years.

And in South Ferriby, residents worked around the clock in the days following the floods on a clean-up operation with 123 homes extensively damaged.

The parish council launched the South Ferriby Flood Appeal Fund immediately and a sum of almost £110,000 has been raised.

The anniversary will now see the fund closed and a final distribution made to all those most in need of financial assistance.

A total of 118 households were helped with the first round of distributions, and more than £34,000 will be distributed in the second round.

Councillor Sara Haddon, who led the appeal for funds, said: “This is an opportunity to thank everyone who has supported the fund – from the large corporate donations made by Cemex (UK) Ltd and Wren Living to the individual donations by hundreds of people and organisations.

“Every £1 donated has made a difference.”

There was also an enormous amount of support in the form of clothes and furniture from all over the country.

Practical help came from neighbouring parish councils and North Lincolnshire Council.

The challenge for South Ferriby Parish Council now is to support its residents as they come to terms with their experiences over the last 12 months and to make the proposals for better sea defences a

REPAIR WORK: Clive Wright and Bridget Daxon outside their flooded house on Sluice Road in South Ferriby.

Below, a car washed in a ditch and Maureen Pettitt with the remains of her furniture

DAMAGE: Vanessa Abukaeiba with her water-damaged furniture reality. It said most people have returned to their homes, but some have decided not to come back to the village.

They say others are “still ‘camping upstairs’ in their homes or living in what looks more like a building site than a home”, while some are “experiencing financial difficulties”.

Parish council chairman Roy Holloway delivered the following message to residents ahead of the anniversary.

He said: “I can clearly remember describing it ‘as the worst day in our history’ and I feel most would agree with that statement.

“Time, however, is a great healer and our small community is gradually pulling itself back together and life is slowly returning to normal for most.

“It is sad, as Liz and I get settled back in, that we realise some of the familiar faces are missing, some who have lived in the village all their lives, some recent additions, all will

be missed.

“To take the decision not to return to your home, friends and neighbours must be a very difficult one to make; and highlights how traumatic the long-term effects of such an event can be.

“I would, on behalf of the whole village, wish them all well in their new homes and take the opportunity to welcome those who have moved into our community.

“We still have some way to go before all is back as it should be and I am sure the next few weeks and months will be a cause of some concern, as winter storms loom over us, but some comfort can be taken from the strength of our village as a whole and the support that was and still is available to all.

“Indeed, I take great pride in knowing that our village is repeatedly used as an example of how a community can and should react in crisis.

“The parish council continues to work as hard as ever to

‘Our insurance has gone from £350 per year to £1,500’ A COUPLE from Barrow Haven say they could not cope with another flood a year on from the tidal surge – after it caused £100,000 of damage to their home.

Paul and Jose Harrison, of Ferry Road, have been flooded twice since moving into their bungalow 10 years ago.

Heavy rain caused the property to flood in June 2007 and the couple had to move out for several months.

After repairing their home, the couple were flooded a second time during the tidal surge on December 5 last year.

The situation was made worse

by Paul, 70, falling seriously ill just days before the devastating floods.

Jose, also 70, said: “On Novem-

ber 20, we went to Bruges for a day on the boat from Hull and Paul started feeling ill on the way there.

“When we got there I took him to casualty, and within five minutes he had been diagnosed as having a massive heart attack.

“He was in intensive care for five days and we got back home after around a week.

“When it came to December 5, a neighbour of ours was in the pub when water started coming in. He called on us on the way back and told us it was flooding.

“A quarter of an hour later it started pouring in, and Paul couldn’t drive due to his condition so someone picked us up.”

Flood water from both the Humber and the Haven caused damage to around 40 properties in Bar-

row Haven, including the Haven Inn. Paul and Jose’s home suffered £100,000 of damage, which was covered by their insurance policy.

But the couple are now faced with huge insurance costs, and little option over who covers them.

Jose said: “We stayed with my daughter in Barton, then rented a place in Barnetby until we could get back in.

“We were back in the property on April 1, and were among the first to return to Barrow Haven.

Virtually everyone had left and it was like a ghost town.

“Our insurance, now, has gone from £350 per year to £1,500 – and no one else will touch us.

“We got a £5,000 grant for flood

campaign for improvements to our flood defences and although news is very slow coming through, we hope to know more after the autumn statement when, hopefully, the Government will reveal more of its plans for South Ferriby and the Humber Region as a whole.

“We continue to press for as much in the way of improvements as possible and are maintaining close contact with our local MPs, our North Lincolnshire Council colleagues and the Environment Agency.

“We will, of course, make public any information we receive as soon as we can.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for all the help given to our small community down here in ‘The Sluice’ from the large corporations who gave so freely, our friends from our neighbouring villages (who did much to clean up our paths and streets), down to children who handed over their pocket money and wished us well.”

defences, and got some barriers to slot down the doors. I think more needs to be done, though, if we want to stop it.

“One answer, which we doubt will happen, is to move the sluice gates down the river to stop water getting all the way up to Barrow Haven. That is down to the Environment Agency though.

“It has been very difficult for us, especially because of the circumstances with Paul being ill. We lost all of our furniture in the lounge and bedroom, and the kitchen had to be replaced.

“If it happened again I don’t know what we would do. How could we possibly sell it? The insurance companies say they can’t touch us because it happened so recently, which has led to heavy insurance costs.”

DIFFICULT TIME: Paul and Jose Harrison

12

Grimsby Telegraph

Thursday, December 4 - Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Breaking news 24/7 on grimsbytelegraph.co.uk

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THE FLOODS: ONE YEAR ON

HIGHEST TIDE: Waves crash over onto Cleethorpes Promenade

HAVOC: Damage on Sluice Road in South Ferriby

ONLOOKERS: People watch the tidal surge at Cleethorpes from behind a police cordon

AFTERMATH: Residents Tony and Glen Fletcher with carpets and furniture removed from their flooded house in South Ferriby

RAIN STOPS PLAY: The flooded car park and football pitches, right, at the Cemex factory, South Ferriby, which was closed after the flooding. The plant started production again in April

DEVASTATED: Fisheries Minister George Eustice visits the Humber Seafarers Service at Immingham Dock to see the damaged caused by the December flood. Mr Eustice is shown around by Ros Dezelsky, manager. It reopened in September