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Battle against flooding
Flooding at Snaith.
SNAITH town councillors worked almost round the clock to help residents during the recent floods.
When the River Aire at Snaith reached very high levels one afternoon, the East Riding of Yorkshire Council contacted Snaith and Cowick town clerk Vicky Whitley regarding the possible risk of flooding in Snaith due to a leak through the river floodbank to the north of the town.
The town emergency plan was immediately put into action. Town Mayor Greta Laughton and council members were informed and put on standby.
At 6pm a meeting took place involving the Town Council, Environment Agency, Humberside Fire and Rescue, the police and ERYC to discuss the worsening situation and plan action to inform residents.
The town council office became the nerve centre of the operation and the town clerk notified the emergency services about vulnerable people who may have needed help and residents were leafleted.
ERYC deployed a large number of staff on standby in the Snaith area. Emergency meetings continued and residents were kept informed.
The town council office remained open for 48 hours manned by Mrs Whitley along with councillors Greta Laughton, John Stavely-Churton, Graham Hulme and Dann Hennesey. Some worked for stretches of 18 hours.
The agency’s fear was that the small leak could worsen and water could escape into the washland and then into properties on George Street, Selby Road and possibly Priory Way.
To reduce the risk 250 one ton sandbags were put in place to bolster the bank.
River levels have now dropped and four metre long piles have been placed to prevent the infiltration of water.
East Riding councillor John Barrett said: “I happened to be away when this occurred but my thanks go out to the town council who put into action the emergency plan and really worked long, hard hours for the residents of Snaith.
“I have also been informed that all people from services including East Riding Council and the Environment Agency worked long and hard to keep Snaith safe. I have spoken to one EA worker who worked in total 94 hours in a week in Snaith.
“In addition, I have heard that John Skidmore of the ERYC did a brilliant hands on job for Snaith.
“The town council would like to thank all the agencies involved in helping support Snaith in a time of need.”
John Skidmore, head of streetscene services for the ERYC, added: “This was a multi-agency approach and all the services worked very closely together in Snaith. I directed the ERYC staff.
“There were eight people from the ERYC working round the clock 24 hours for two days straight. ERYC staff also delivered leaflets to residents on the weekend.
“I have to say that all the agencies, including the town council, worked very well together.”
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Weather for Selby
Saturday 25 May 2013
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 5 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 7 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: West
