Residents update

Thursday 21 January 2021

Due to the impact of Storm Christoph on Rotherham, we will be providing regular email updates.

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Further information is available at our flooding website

Please share these updates with friends and family if you think they may be affected.

Leader’s statement on flooding response

The Leader of Rotherham Council has spoken of his relief that the immediate threat of severe flooding in Rotherham has now passed and praised the efforts of the teams who worked around the clock to keep residents safe. Councillor Read has also urged the Government to step-up and fund flood defence schemes across South Yorkshire to avoid being “stuck in this continual cycle of worry, reaction and getting by each winter.” Read the Leader’s full statement here.

Storm Christoph update

The threat of severe flooding in Rotherham is now receding, but two flood alerts remain in place and residents are asked to remain vigilant.

Flood alerts mean flooding is possible – be prepared.

No further substantial rainfall is forecast for the next few days.

The response

Council teams worked alongside the Envoronment Agency and other services through the night to monitor river levels and trigger points but river banks did not burst in ‘at risk’ residential areas.

No residential or commercial properties were reported as being flooded, and no evacuations were required. Teams continued to provide sandbags, both proactively and responding to requests, with almost 3,400 sandbags being delivered across the borough.

More than 100 Council staff have been directly involved on the ground in the preparation for and response to the flood risk this week.

Disruption

There was some flooding on the railway line but not at Rotherham Central Station itself. Network Rail has advised that train and tram train services continue to be suspended as they wait for the water level to drop so they can test equipment and repair the damage. Get the latest public transport updates from Travel South Yorkshire.

There was some surface water flooding on some main roads overnight which meant some roads had to be closed but most roads have now re-opened.

The Forge Island Covid testing site had been closed and removed as a precaution earlier this week. The site did not ultimately flood and we are awaiting advice from the Department of Health and Social Care, who operate the testing site, about a re-opening date. In the meantime people who require a Covid test are being directed to one of the borough’s three other sites (Midland Rd, Maltby and Dinnington), where there is good capacity.

Keeping up-to-date

Rotherham Council – You can keep up to date with the latest updates on the Council’s Twitter and Facebook account and via our flooding website.

Environment Agency – Follow the national Twitter and regional Twitteraccounts for updates and get the latest flood alert information for Rotherham from the website.

The Met Office – For the latest weather updates follow the Met Office on Twitter and Facebook or view the forecast on the website. There is also advice on protecting your home against the impact of flooding.