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14
Nov
Flood alert issued for drought-hit Masham and Boroughbridge
A flood alert has been issued for low-lying land near the River Ure in Masham and Boroughbridge.
Yorkshire has been in drought since June and a hosepipe ban has been force since July.
Nevertheless, the Environment Agency activated an alert this morning and said “flooding was possible”.
The organisation said Ure levels were expected to remain high today (November 14) because of rain from Storm Claudia.
It added:
Locations most affected are low-lying land including agricultural land and local roads in the areas around Masham, Boroughbridge, Aldborough and Bishop Monkton.
We are closely monitoring the situation. Take care and avoid walking, cycling or driving through flood water. This message will be updated by 9pm today or as the situation changes.
Sustained rainfall needed
The Environment Agency warned today that droughts and hosepipe bans could be in place next year unless there is at least average winter rainfall.
The environmental regulator’s drought prospects report, published today, said the drought situation across the country is still precarious following a record dry spring followed by heatwaves and dry weather throughout summer. England has seen below average rainfall for eight out of ten months so far this year.
Helen Wakeham, director of water at the Environment Agency, said:
There will be a drought next year, unless we get sustained rainfall through the winter. The severity of that drought will depend both on the weather and the actions we take over winter following this very dry year.
The public have been brilliant in using a little less water this summer and following the restrictions in some parts of the country. I would urge people to continue to be as efficient as possible with their water use this winter - even if it is raining outside. Our wildlife, our rivers and our public water supplies depend on it.
Yorkshire Water said this week reservoir levels across the region had increased to 65.3% — up from 60.6% the previous week.
It added reservoirs in Washburn Valley, Nidderdale, Calderdale and Kirklees were recovering quicker than those around Sheffield, due to localised variations in rainfall.
Washburn Valley reservoirs are now 60% full; Nidderdale reservoirs are 73% full.
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