Yorkshire Floods

04 November 2000

Torrential rains have brought widespread flooding and total chaos to North Yorkshire. Saturated land and already swollen rivers were put under extreme pressure early in the week. On Thursday further sustained downpours and snow on high ground proved to be the last straw.

Friday morning dawned with more roads closed than open. The A1 and the A19, both main north - south arteries, were closed by floodwater. Northallerton, Ripon and Thirsk were underwater, and as the already brim-full rivers rose concern grew by the hour.

Saturday 4th 11:30am): Road Closed - Thornton Bridge on the River Swale at Helperby. A Range Rover struggles through the surging current.

The Swale burst its banks in several places. The River Ure at Boroughbridge stood 15ft 4ins above normal at lunchtime, peaking at 4:00pm and flooding large tracts of outlying land. Fortunately the town's defences held firm. However, the Swale continued to rise, as did the River Nidd overwhelming bridges on the lower stretches. By 9:00pm in Helperby the roar of the river could clearly be heard through the darkness as it cascaded over flood levies.

Downstream, all three rivers become the Ouse at York, and the historic city now braced itself for the worst flooding in living memory. With 3000 homes evacuated and some 1000 already underwater, the Ouse finally peaked at 2:30am Saturday, 17ft 8ins above normal and the highest level seen in the city since records began in 1625. The peak was a mere two inches below the height of the strengthened flood barrier.

Sunday: It is now possible to reach Boroughbridge again, though only by 4x4 or tractor.
- Peter Bradley [11/00]

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