Have been out tonight helping in Brasside where a number of properties have been flooded, managed to get some sandbags out but there are clearly some long term issues which must be sorted out to do with water coming of fields. It was literally a river of water.
Head of Service gave the following update about the rest of the County earlier:
The extreme rainfall we experienced has affected a number of properties across the County (in particular the North- Consett, Chester le Street, Stanley), and has of course resulted in a large number of calls. We have had teams out on the ground throughout this period from across building, streetscene and highway services and are coordinating our activities with the Police and other emergency services through a silver command. The teams have been working hard to do drainage where possible, provide sandbags and advise motorists of unpassable roads. In some instances our own efforts have been hampered by the unpassable roads.
The only good news is that the rain has stopped, and the forecast is that it will clear. Our teams will be out right through the evening however, and are responding to requests prioritising where possible vulnerable people and property.
The public advice is to only journey if it is absolutely necessary, and to not attempt to take a vehicle through a flooded area if unsure about its depth. Furthermore, whilst we are responding to requests for sandbags we would ask residents and Members to focus on those areas where there is the immediate need, rather than purely as a precaution. This will help our teams to focus on the areas that most need it.
We will provide further updates to members, including information on the website. The overall summary of the position to date is as follows:
Weather Conditions
The rain has stopped for the time being and the water levels are receding fairly quickly. The radar shows that the heavy rain fall has cleared the County into the North Sea. No further rain is forecast until tomorrow morning and it appears to be light to moderate.
The North appears to have been affected the worse with particularly problems reported around Consett and Lanchester.
Highways
· Widespread problems many of which will have been attended to directly by Highway Inspectors and Emergency Action Team’s
· A689 East of Wolsingham has cars stuck in water, passable with care
· C75 west of Frosterley, land slip – road open half width
· Footpath collapsed on the approach into Lanchester
· Hole in road due to drain collapse – Lanchester Main St
· Footpath has lifted at Hillside Road (Gardens) Stanley
· A690 Stockley Grange was closed by floods producing tailbacks
· Landslide just outside of Burnhopefield from Busty Bank – obstructing the road.
· Highway inspector are reporting that floods have subsided very quickly once intense rain has passed but traffic still slow
Private Buildings
A number of private dwellings have been flooded in the North and the Durham area (Brasside).
Streetscene have responded to numerous requests for sandbags. There are still a number of outstanding service requests. If water levels continue to fall in the North area they will be able to get to the calls that are outstanding.
Council Buildings
Timothy Hackworth Primary school flooded – staff on site
Lanchester front street flooded with elderly and disabled people trapped – staff on site
Comelion House roof collapsed and building flooded – cleaners and staff on site to limit damage (note the building will be unusable tomorrow for ICT staff)
Consett CAP power outage but the building has been secured (NEEB have indicated 3 hours before power restored
County Hall several areas flooded including Occupational Health and the Boiler Room
Evacuation Centres
Clearly a number of these exist through the County, further information relating to these for residents in affected areas will follow.