Community spirit remains five years after floods

Residents of a village that flooded five years ago have praised the community spirit that has flourished since they were left homeless five years ago.

Local people were evacuated from their homes in East Cowick near Snaith in February 2020 after the River Aire overtopped, leaving them in temporary accommodation for over six months.

Carole Hutchinson, who became a volunteer at the village hall during the floods, said the community spirit was "amazing" and it was "brilliant" that people from outside the area donated food.

Another resident, who did not want to be named, said it felt like "a hub" as everyone came together to help each other.

Ms Hutchinson has continued to run monthly sessions at the village hall, including yoga and sewing, to help connect current residents with those that have moved away.

She said people from surrounding villages donated food so people did not have to to worry about having something to eat and added: "I think there still is a community spirit."

Joan Walton, 86, had lived in the village since she was two years old and had to leave her bungalow for one year while it was repaired.

She said: "It [the water] just came overnight and we had to move out."

Betty Smith, also 86, was born in the village and said: "They kept telling us to move out. We wouldn't move out until they thought it was necessary".

Ms Smith said she finally left her home when her sofa was "floating to the ceiling" and initially stayed in a hostel before moving in with family and friends.

Colin Howel, 80, has lived in the village for 20 years and said the community spirit was "brilliant", but the Environment Agency had "done nothing" about getting the culverts clear.

Mr Howel, who moved into a caravan for nine months because of the floods, said the water was 12in (1ft) from going over the top of the nearby M62 motorway.

He said it was "like a tidal wave" coming towards the village and believed it was caused by a sluice gate being opened in Leeds.

The Environment Agency said it continues to inspect and maintain its assets and was not aware of any current blockages in the culverts between Snaith and East Cowick.

A spokesperson said: "An assessment following the February 2020 flood event found no evidence that operating the movable weirs in Leeds contributed to downstream flooding.

"An independent investigation by East Riding of Yorkshire Council is currently underway, and we await its findings."

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