RECEIVED THIS EARLIER:

Flooding round up in County Durham

Issued on behalf of Durham County Council, Police and Fire and Rescue Services

The council and emergency services are continuing to respond to an increasing number of reports of and requests for help as a result of, localised flooding across the county.

The current flooding situation in County Durham is:

• Council and emergency services are working together to monitor flooding and to respond to requests for assistance
• Council’s Highways Action Line is receiving high volumes of calls
• The majority of calls are from residents in the Bishop Auckland area; however there are calls coming in from Winston (Teesdale) and Shotton Colliery (East Durham)
  • The CCU has arranged for sandbags to be delivered to Locomotion (museum Shildon) due to imminent flooding risk

The council’s neighbourhood services department:

• Has several crews out in Sedgefield, the former Wear Valley and Teesdale areas delivering sand bags as a result of requests from residents and businesses
• There are several roads flooded in the Wear Valley and Teesdale area and some houses in both areas are also now flooded
• Some rivers have burst their banks

Road closures include:

• Road through Ramshaw village – closed
• B688 West Auckland Bypass between Sainsbury  and Lloyds  – closed
• A6072 West Auckland to Shildon – passable with extreme care – may need to be closed
• Wades Road Littletown – closed
• Underpass Renny’s Lane – closed
• A6072 Tindale to Shildon – flooded
• A67 County Bridge at Barnard Castle – flooded
• Unclassified road between Piittington and Littletown – flooded
• Many minor roads affected by flooding

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• In Durham the A690’s westbound slip-road to the Belmont Industrial Estate, is flooded and closed to traffic.
• The A68, in particular, is affected by localised flooding in the West Auckland and Wolsingham areas and Staindrop is also affected.

Environment Agency Update:

• Flood alert issued for the Gaunless (showing slow drop)
• Hummer Beck and Toad Pool, West Auckland are experiencing problems
• River Tees and Barnard Castle rivers are rising, possibly peaking at 4pm

• CCU continue to monitor situation  Upper River Tees – dropping
• Lower River Tees still rising slightly (downstream effect but not expected to flood)
• Flood alert for wear at Sunderland Bridge still in force but remainder of river is ok

Council resources

Sand bags:

1,000 filled sandbags

3,000 empty

1,800 filled to be delivered tomorrow

20 T sand in stock

20 T sand order delivery today

20 T sand to be delivered tomorrow

10 staff filling bags

Aqua – sacs: –

1, 000 at Meadowfield depot

1,000 at Morrison Busty depot

500 x Wellfield depot

500 Hackworth depot

500 x Chilton depot

Access to further 10,000 Aqua-sacs

To report flooding of your home, please contact Highways Action Line (HAL) on 0191 370 6000. This line is staffed Monday to Thursday 8.30am to 5.00pm, Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm.  If you ring after hours you will be given the option to either leave a message or to be transferred to the out of hours Emergency Team.

Walkergate

At 2.30pm the river was more than 600mm below road level.

Highways inspector will monitor.

Housing solutions:

Anyone in need of advice on temporary re-housing due to flooding in their homes can call Housing Solutions out of hours on 01388 722 538.

Terry Collins, corporate director of neighbourhood services at Durham County Council said: “The council is working alongside the emergency services and relevant agencies to respond to requests for help and to issue information to residents as quickly as is possible.

“Teams of staff will be on duty around the clock to respond to emergency calls.

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“If anyone requires urgent assistance due to the floods they can contact us on the Highways Action Line, 0191 370 3000.

“Many of the county’s roads are affected by flooding and excess water on the carriageway. Please take extra care if you are travelling and check the council’s website for updated information.”

Durham Constabulary:

As heavy rain continues to fall motorists are being urged to drive with caution as roads across County Durham and Darlington are widely affected by surface water.

Chief Inspector Stu Exley, head of Durham Constabulary’s communications branch, said: “Surface water creates hazardous conditions for motorists and they should take this into account and drive accordingly.

“They should slow down and allow sufficient breaking distance between their vehicle and the one in front. Drivers may find themselves unexpectedly hitting areas where flooding has occurred and should drive with caution.”

Advice from Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue service:

Protecting your home against flooding:

• make sure you know how to turn off your gas, water or electricity – if you are not sure, ask your supplier for advice
• keep a kit of essential items like copies of your insurance documents, a battery powered torch and radio and a first aid kit handy

In the event of a flood:

• remember, your (and your family’s) safety is most important, so move them and your pets upstairs, with a means of escape
• turn off your electricity and gas supply – if it is safe to do so – but do not touch sources of electricity when standing in flood water
• move valuable items upstairs or to a high point in your property
• if you do not have non-return valves fitted, you should plug water inlet pipes with towels or cloths
• disconnect any equipment that uses water, like, washing machines and dishwashers

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