The 2012 June Floods
Saturday, 23 June 2012
EMERGENCY FUND for people and groups affected by the Calderdale Floods June 2012, set up by the Community Foundation. Please make a donation.
After heavy rain all day Friday, 22nd June, flood sirens went just before 8pm. Just hours later, the whole of the centre of Hebden Bridge was flooded. Market Street, Bridge Gate, Old Gate, Albert Street and Crown Street were all under water and impassable.
The dramatic events of Friday evening have led to dozens of local shops and businesses suffering damage and serious loss of stock. We encourage all HebWeb readers to support the fund set up by the Community Foundation.
Click on photos to enlarge
Hebden Bridge under water © HebWeb
Bridge Gate © HebWeb
Crown Street and NatWest Bank © HebWeb
Albert Street © HebWeb
Centre © HebWeb
The main Burnley Road © HebWeb
© HebWeb
The above are HebWeb photos. Thanks for all those who have sent us photos. Please continue to do and we will add a sample of these.
Charlestown
© Craig Shaw/ blu planet photography
Callis Mill area © David Burnop
Callis Mill area © David Burnop
Thanks to Andrew Weatherhead for this picture of the Co-op around midnight
Above and below: Barge that has been left grounded and blocking the canal where it was washed aground where there is an overflow from the canal to the river just up from Whitely Arches - © David Burnop
Damage to the tow path from the canal overflowing into the river
at the back of Callis Mill - © David Burnop
Links to coverage elsewhere
Yorkshire Post: Clean-up starts as communities count cost of flood devastation. "Businessman Marcus Doyle said that his Home...Oh shop in Hebden Bridge, part of the Yorkshire Soap Company, was a 'complete write-off' . . There's tremendous support from the community.."
Guardian Northerner: Hebden Bridge mops up after the floods. "At the Bookcase, an independent bookshop which makes a point of stocking the work of local writers, the proprietor Kate was awaiting a visit from the loss adjusters."
BBC News: driver filmed explaining how he had to abandon his car when the water was several feet high
ITV Calendar: Floods hit Todmorden, Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd. "Many people have been forced to leave their homes after flash flooding hit the Calder Valley, with properties inundated in Todmorden, Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd."
Yorkshire Post: Wettest June ever, as Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd begin the big mop up. 'Councillor Simon Young said the River Calder burst its banks at about 9pm on Friday night in Mytholmroyd.'
Halifax Courier: The clean up begins for Valley businesses after the flood. "Catherine Barraclough owns Bubble Floss Cottage, Bridge Gate, Hebden Bridge, and sells gifts and accessories for ladies and babies. She came back to her shop on Saturday morning to find stock floating round the property."
Sky News - general report but some photos of our area. It quotes an Environment Agency spokesperson saying: ""A month's rain has fallen over parts of north west and north east England in the last 24 hours"
BBC News: West Yorkshire Council review into flood response. "Homes and businesses in Todmorden, Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd were flooded last Friday after a month's rain fell in 24 hours. Some residents have criticised the local authority for its response.
YouTube: Todmorden flood compilation
It's happened before!
HebWeb News: January 2008
Early Sunday morning, 4th June 2000
Photo: Ruth Brown
Hebden Bridge 1946
from Milltown Memories
King Street flood in 1912
(Click photo to enlarge and for credits)