We weren't posting photos over the Christmas period a year ago, although our cameras were busy, so we missed sharing with you the serious flooding in York that started on 26th December 2015.
Day 2 of the flooding and things took a serious turn for the worse, with the failure of the Foss Flood Barrier.
Most flooding in York is due to the height of the River Ouse, fed by three rivers from the Yorkshire Dales. York has a second river, the River Foss, which runs through the east side of York and joins the River Ouse just south of the city centre. In the past, flood water from the River Ouse could force water from the River Foss back upstream, resulting in extensive flooding.
As part of the flood defences created in the 1980s, a massive flood gate was built on the River Foss close to its confluence with the River Ouse. When the River Ouse rose in height, the gate could be lowered to prevent the water being pushed up the River Foss. Eight large pumps moved water from the River Foss into the River Ouse, keeping the Foss at a lower level than the Ouse.
Last Christmas, the flood gate was lowered and pumping began. However, the flow of the River Foss was greater than anything previously recorded, and greater than the capacity of the pumps. Water began to leak into the control room, with the serous risk of damaging the electrical supply, cutting off power to the pumps and freezing the gate in the lowered position. This would have speeded up the flooding along the River Foss, so the decision was taken to raise the flood gate before power was lost. It is estimated that loss of power while the flood gate was down would have resulted in 1800 homes being flooded. Lifting the gate resulted in around 600 houses being flooded.
In these shots, Huntington Road has become a river, although it is unlikely that water actually entered these houses. Buildings further along the road (behind the photographer) were badly flooded. The river here is about 100 yards behind the houses.
There were many sad scenes, but much humour too - the smaller shot on the left shows a local in fancy dress - 'Captain Jack Sparrow' taking a selfie with the flood water all around.
Thank you for that explanation - I had not previously understood what happened to the flood barrier. If it were not so disastrous it's quite a striking scene!
I like Jack Sparrow!
Thank you all for your generous comments and fav, they are very much appreciated.
We are very fortunate to be above the level that flooding reaches, so our home is not affected directly, although services (phone, internet, electricity etc) are sometimes affected - and it can be a real challenge getting around the city past areas closed by flooding. Also, last year was really exceptional in its effects. Much of the problem was due to the flood barrier failure, with some 600 properties affected. By contrast, during the highest flood ever recorded (in 2000), when the flood defences worked well, it affected only around 200 properties.
Ian
December 28th, 2016
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I like Jack Sparrow!
Thank you all for your generous comments and fav, they are very much appreciated.
We are very fortunate to be above the level that flooding reaches, so our home is not affected directly, although services (phone, internet, electricity etc) are sometimes affected - and it can be a real challenge getting around the city past areas closed by flooding. Also, last year was really exceptional in its effects. Much of the problem was due to the flood barrier failure, with some 600 properties affected. By contrast, during the highest flood ever recorded (in 2000), when the flood defences worked well, it affected only around 200 properties.
Ian