News

Major Flood Disaster In Ripon

Friday 15 June

There is currently severe flooding in Ripon and the surrounding area. The worst affected areas are around the River Skell which has broken its banks.

The Ripon Internet / Bronco offices are on Phoenix Business Centre and the fire brigade reckon that Low Mill Road will be flooded shortly! So we may have to evacuate the office and carpark. (posted at 3pm)

Ripon's largest employer Wolseley UK was evacuated at lunchtime as the water rose up the whole of Firs Avenue to Boroughbridge Road. The area around the newly refurbished Water Rat is severely flooded too, as is the ford as the water stretches right up to Low Mill Road. Borrage Lane is another area flooded with many homes and properties getting damaged by flood water. Residents from a care home on Borrage Lane had to be evacuated with the help of Fire and Rescue teams with boats.

There could be worse to come during the evening as more water comes down into the rivers from the hills. This is the worst flooding Ripon has seen since the major floods of 2000. After that disaster which affected the same areas there were plans drawn up to improve flood defences, but they never happened due to lack of funding. Perhaps the councils need to think again?

We will be adding up to date photos to the photo gallery as we get them. (Thanks also to people who are adding their own photos to the Gallery of the flood - all are welcome)

Update 6pm 15/6/07 - the waters seem to be subsiding. If you look at the flooded areas you can see the "tide" marks where the water got up to. Hopefully if the rain holds of it won't get any worse.

Comments

1. (Tuesday 19 June) As a Riponian exile this is very sad, blame the farmers for draining their fields over the past 40 years. I remember the floods of 1982 on the Ure particularly as they matched the record high of 1882, but this looks far worse. The Skell is a torrent, never thought I would ever see that. Lived in Herts for past 18 years not near a river,quite safe on a hill!

2. (Friday 29 June) Ripon, Sheffield etc how horrendous - then on the news last night (28th June) they say Buckingham Palace need Ł3 mill for renovations. Think this money should be utlised to help all these poor people that have no roofs over their heads at all.