HEAVY RAIN AND FLOODING UPDATE – Update
Sunderland – September 25th
SUNDERLAND City Council is continuing to work with the emergency services to tackle the impact of heavy rain and flooding throughout the region.
A number of roads are currently closed. These include the A690 west-bound near the Reg Vardy garage, which is closed between the Stoneygate junction and the A19 due to a partially collapsed carriageway, caused by exceptional rainfall.
Sunderland City Council and Northumbrian Water have been to the scene to assess the damage and established that a temporary re-opening is not possible.
Diversions are in place for south-westbound traffic, via: A19 north/A183 Chester Road to Shiney Row/A182 to Houghton-le-Spring. Stoneygate junction will remain open. The diversion is likely to be in place for a minimum of 3 days.
Other roads affected by flooding are:
A19 sliproad – A690
B1288 Mount Pleasant
Blind Lane, Silksworth
Approximately 50 properties have also been evacuated including a number of homes in:
Longacre, Houghton
Dene Street, Hetton
Dunelm Drive, Houghton
Borrowdale Street, Hetton
Coverdale Ave, Concord
Mill Terrace, Houghton
Grange Road and St Margarets Ave, Castletown
Hylton Castle Road
The Three Horse Shoes, Washington
At this stage there has been no need to set up any Rest Centres but the City Council is on standby to do so if necessary.
Sandbags have been distributed to homes along Southview, in Fatfield, Washington, overlooking the River Wear. And the City Council currently has a team out there assessing the potential impact of flooding should it occur.
Two schools are currently closed – Holley Park Primary which is closed due to a power cut and Lambton Primary which is closed due to flooding in the office and car park. Thornhill School is partially open with years 9/10 in school.
The council is also warning that refuse collections could be disrupted due to the flooding.
Motorists are still being warned to only drive if it is necessary, to allow extra time for their journeys and to take particular care on the roads, reduce their speeds and allow extra distance between themselves and other vehicles.
People are also being advised to check for road closures on local radio / TV and the Highways Agency web site and Tyne and Wear travel at http://www.tyneandweartravel.info/public/map/map.htm
The advice is also to check public transport is operating before travelling – info available on the Nexus web site and Traveline at: http://traveline.info/
For information on flooding – www.enviromentagency.gov.uk
Stockton – 27th September
All schools have now re-opened.
Bishopton Centre (secondary pupil support unit) is closed and likely to remain so for the forseeable future. All school closures Stockton Council is notified about will appear at www.stockton.gov.uk/schools
Road/travel update
Yarm river levels are receding and the High Street floods have gone. A partial road collapse on the A67 just south of Yarm is being managed with temporary traffic lights.
Bishopton Road is closed and will remain so until the flood water has receded sufficiently to allow engineers to carry out a structural inspection of Brown’s Bridge.
A1 northbound remains closed as there is still surface water flooding the carriageway. Efforts are continuing to clear this.
Public warning
In certain parts of Stockton Borough, such as the Hartburn, Oxbridge and Grangefield, there are large areas of flood water.
These areas are extremely dangerous and members of the public are strongly advised to avoid walking or driving near them.
Members of the public are urged to take notice of all warning signs and barriers and should not attempt to move them.
Electricity update
All homes except three properties are now reconnected and it is anticipated the remaining properties will be reconnected later today. The Northern Power Grid customer service van is at Brown’s Bridge, Stockton, offering support to customers affected by the floods.
The contact details for Northern Power Grid are 0800 66 88 77 they can provide an update.
Community support
An Information Centre has been operating from Gray’s Road Institute on Gray’s Road in Grangefield and a mobile unit was established on Burnside Grove in Hartburn where Council officers spoke to all residents in the vicinity to offer help and advice where needed. The Centres are now closed, however Officers are continuing to make door to door calls offering advice and help.
Anyone affected by the current weather conditions and in need of emergency accommodation should contact Stockton Council’s Housing Options service on (01642) 528389 or after 5pm call the emergency duty team on 08702402994.
They will assist with finding alternative emergency accommodation until people are able to return to their homes.
Resources will be provided to help people clean up and dispose of flood damaged items.
People are advised not to throw anything away until their insurance company has confirmed they can and to take photographs of any items in the house before moving them where possible.
Anyone who needs help with a vulnerable child or adult should call Stockton Council’s Social Care team on (01642) 527754
The rest centre at Splash is now closed.
Emergency services are continuing to visit people – and properties – who may be vulnerable to offer advice and practical help.
Today is forecast to be sunshine and occasional showers and we would again urge residents to check the forecast at regular intervals.
The following organisations may be able to help provide furniture and household goods:
F.R.A.D.E, 68-69 Brunswick Street , Stockton on Tees , TS18 1DR. www.frade.co.uk
British Heart Foundation, 119 -120 High Street , Stockton on Tees . 01642 612276
YMCA, 14 Yarm Lane , Stockton on Tees , 01642 676511
The following Faith organisations may be able to help with food and emergency supplies:
Christian Forum, Oakwood Centre, Jill Grovier or Sue Sorrell 01642 781919
Guru Nanak Gurdwara and Sikh Community Centre, 21a Allensway, Thornaby, Stockton on Tees , TS17 9HA
Farooq e Azam Mosques and Islamic Centre, 39 -41 Hartington Road , Stockton on Tees , TS18 1HD. 01642 699943 info@stocktonmasjid.com
Stockton Street Pastors, Steve Brock, 07526641796 steve@stocktontownpastors.co.uk
Thrive, Thornaby Methodist Church , Stanstead Way , Thornaby, TS17 9DZ. 01642 769570mail@trhrive-teesside.org.uk www.thrive-teesside.org.uk
British Red Cross, County Durham and Teesside , Northumbria and Cumbria , Croft House Newcastle upon Tyne , NE4 8SR. 0191 273 7961
Salvation Army, Stockton on Tees , 01642 617629
