The day after Boxing Day 2015, and the flooding of York was taking a turn for the worse.
York has a series of flood defences, mainly constructed in the 1980's following two severe flood events in 1978 and 1982. Part of this was a flood gate near the mouth of the River Foss, designed to prevent flood water from the River Ouse forcing it's way up the River Foss. When this was a risk, the flood gate was closed and water from the River Foss was pumped into the River Ouse, preventing flooding of many houses close to the River Foss.
In 2015, the main source of flood water was the River Foss itself, and the flow of water was in excess of the design capacity of the pumping system. Water began to enter the control room of the pumping system and gate. There were fears that power would be lost and the gate fixed in the closed position but with no pumps to move the water from the River Foss into the River Ouse. If the gate was left closed the resulting flood would be higher than if it were open, and around 1500 homes could be flooded. The decision was therefore taken to open the flood gate while there was still power, but there would be some flooding from water in the River Ouse.
This shot shows Huntington Road after the Foss flood gate had been reopened. An estimated 500 houses were flooded along the River Foss due to the reopening of the flood gate. The weather by this time was dry and sunny, a contrast to the effects of the earlier rain.
Despite the devastation, there was humour. Further along Huntington Road, a resident in a Captain Jack Sparrow took a selfie with a background of flood water. By the River Ouse a banner read 'Don't worry, we still have plenty of turkey'.
Thank you all for your lovely comments and fav, they are very much appreciated.
There are small riverside floods in York at the moment, with the River Ouse at 3.8 metres above normal level. This compares with a peak of 5.2 metres in December 2015, which was within the designed flood prevention level. Had the Foss flood gate worked as it should, no properties along the River Foss would have been flooded. The failure led to the flooding of around 500 homes.
Thank you Vesna, the floods are slowly getting worse. The average flood height has risen by about 1 metre in the last hundred years, so work is now being done to increase the hight of the flood defences.
I heard about the earthquake that you have had and the damage done and that a girl had died. It must have been a very frightening experience.
This man died. Many peoples are hurt because earthquake was strong.
Houses are old and damaged in war. We try to help. It's hard because many peaple lives on hills around cities, without roads, weather is rainy.
Oh dear, how sad. It is always particularly sad when rescuers risk their lives and end up loosing them. Was you home affected by the earthquake? I do hope that you keep safe!
In my room the plaster fell from the ceilling. But now in Petrinja, in the same area, was new earthquake, magnitude 5. It is 58 km far from us.
Our building was shaking. The strong earthquake is still possible here.
Thank you all for your lovely comments and fav, they are very much appreciated.
There are small riverside floods in York at the moment, with the River Ouse at 3.8 metres above normal level. This compares with a peak of 5.2 metres in December 2015, which was within the designed flood prevention level. Had the Foss flood gate worked as it should, no properties along the River Foss would have been flooded. The failure led to the flooding of around 500 homes.
Ian
Thank you Nina - the effect of water where it shouldn't be can be quite spectacular.
Ian
Thank you Vesna, the floods are slowly getting worse. The average flood height has risen by about 1 metre in the last hundred years, so work is now being done to increase the hight of the flood defences.
I heard about the earthquake that you have had and the damage done and that a girl had died. It must have been a very frightening experience.
Ian
It is so sad to hear that Vesna. Our thoughts are with all those affected by the earthquake.
Ian
How sad - I hope he wasn't too badly hurt. Rescue operations are a real challenge, and often risky for the rescuers.
Ian
Houses are old and damaged in war. We try to help. It's hard because many peaple lives on hills around cities, without roads, weather is rainy.
Oh dear, how sad. It is always particularly sad when rescuers risk their lives and end up loosing them. Was you home affected by the earthquake? I do hope that you keep safe!
Ian
Our building was shaking. The strong earthquake is still possible here.
It must be very worrying for you. Our thoughts are with you and all affected by the earthquakes.
Ian