Flood clean-up continues

Tuesday, 3 July 2012

Calderdale Council, its partners, residents, businesses and volunteers are continuing the clean-up operation in the Calder Valley after being hit by some of the worst flooding ever recorded in the area.

Supplies of donated cleaning materials, ranging from mops and disinfectant to dehumidifiers, remain available free of charge to people affected by the flooding. The products can be collected from the Council's Customer First centres in Todmorden and Hebden Bridge.

Todmorden and Hebden Bridge Customer First centres were open over the weekend and will be open this week (week commencing Monday 2 July 2012) at the following times:

• Todmorden Customer First at Todmorden Community College:
  9.00am – 5.00pm every weekday with special late opening until 8.00pm on Wednesday 4 July.
• Hebden Bridge Customer first at Hebden Bridge Library:
  Monday and Wednesday 10.00am – 5.00pm; Thursday 10.00am – 1.30pm

The Council has a collection vehicle currently touring the Todmorden / Hebden Bridge areas to take away furniture and household items damaged by the flooding.

Anyone who needs flood damaged items to be taken away can contact the Council on 0845 245 7000.

Items will only be taken with permission of the householder. Before items are taken away, people should photograph them to help with insurance claims.

The Environment Agency will be bringing an 'advice caravan' to affected towns this week. Representatives from the Environment Agency, Calderdale Council, Yorkshire Water and West Yorkshire Fire and Police Services will be on hand to offer advice, including insurance issues, from 12 noon to 7.00pm on the following dates:

• Wednesday 4 July - Todmorden Market car park (the paved area between the Methodist Church and the Rose Tree Garden)
• Thursday 5 July - Hebden Bridge Visitor Centre car park
• Friday 6 July – St Michael's Church car park, Mytholmroyd

The Community Foundation for Calderdale has some money available for individuals whose homes were affected by the flood and are suffering from hardship.

To apply for a grant, please contact Customer First on 0845 245 6000.

There is a simple application form to complete to make sure you are eligible.

If you think you might be eligible but want some help filling in the form, Customer First staff can help.

Anyone who wishes to donate to the Flood Relief Fund can do so through Local Giving: Community Foundation for Calderdale. Cash donations can also be made at Todmorden and Hebden Bridge Libraries, Todmorden Information Centre, Hebden Bridge Festival Box Office and Lloyds Bank.

To donate furniture, kitchen equipment and white goods (fridges, washing machines etc), please contact Customer First on 0845 245 6000 to arrange for items to be collected.

If you can deliver your donated items, please contact Soo Nevison from Voluntary Action Calderdale on 07854 228861 or post a message on the Calder Valley Flood Victims Facebook page.

Calderdale Council's Leader, Cllr Tim Swift, said: "I would like to personally thank the many volunteers and staff who have given their all to help people affected by the flooding over the last week.

"For some people, the effects of the flooding are going to last for weeks and months. I'm determined that the Council will continue to offer support as our people and communities recover."

For information and advice, please contact Calderdale Council Customer First on 0845 245 6000.

Thanks to Calderdale MBC for this info