AN appeal has been launched to help Yate residents whose homes were flooded following torrential rain at the weekend.
Around 100 homes in and around Shire Way were deluged shortly before 9.45pm on Sunday.
It happened during a weekend of severe wind and rain brought by Storm Bert, which also caused flooding in Chipping Sodbury, Frampton Cotterell, Winterbourne and Tytherington.
In Yate the water flooded homes in Slimbridge Close and Littledean, off Shire Way, and swamped parked cars.
The nearby railway line was flooded, with trains between Bristol Parkway and London still being diverted this evening.
Avon Fire & Rescue service sent out crews from seven stations, from Yate to Weston-super-Mare, to search affected homes, working with South Gloucestershire Council, Avon & Somerset Police, South Western Ambulance Service and a team of volunteers from Avon & Somerset Search and Rescue (pictured above).
Firefighters were on the scene until 9am yesterday monitoring the water levels and clear drainage.
Now residents are starting to clear up, and an online appeal has been launched by South Gloucestershire councillor Chris Willmore to help them rebuild.
It had raised more than £2,100 by this afternoon.
Cllr Willmore said: “Vulnerable elderly people, families with young children are affected and have lost their cars and face months of disruption and the need to dry out their homes, decorate and replace things damaged.
“So many people have said they want to do something to help those whose homes in our town have been flooded.”
Donations will be administered by Yate Parish, which means they will be eligible for gift aid.
Cllr Willmore added: All the money received will be used to support those affected by the floods who need help.
The website can be found here.
130 emergency calls and 30 trees blown down
South Gloucestershire Council received around 130 out of hours calls on Sunday night relating flooding of roads and homes, and high winds damaging trees.
A spokesperson said: “Thirty trees were blown over and we distributed around 1,500 sandbags to our residents, with around half of these going to the Yate Dodington area, which was particularly badly affected by flooding.
“A major incident was declared on Sunday evening due to the flooding of around 100 properties in and around Shire Way, Yate with a further 100 cut off by rising water levels. The emergency response on Sunday night was led by the Fire Service as the lead agency for water rescue, working with the Police. Partner agencies including the council provided assistance and support.
“We brought in our own staff to establish an emergency relief centre at Yate Leisure Centre ready to support any evacuees with associated welfare needs and transport. This was stood down in the early hours as residents chose to stay in their homes or with friends.
“Our StreetCare teams worked through the night on Sunday and have been continuing to clear roads, trees and debris and make sure warning signs are in place.
“With water levels now receding, council staff have been calling at the houses which have been flooded to offer support and understand the help people require. We have also hand delivered letters to homes in the worst affected areas which provide advice and guidance, along with useful contact numbers and further resources that could be of help.
“We encourage people to keep safe when cleaning-up after a flood by using rubber boots, protective overalls, and/or waterproofs along with waterproof gloves to avoid exposure to any harmful pollutants or contaminants contained in the floodwater. It’s also important not to turn on gas or electricals if they may have become wet until checked by a qualified technician.
“Residents are advised to check the council’s flooding webpage www.southglos.gov.uk/flooding for the latest information on affected roads and for further advice on dealing with flooding.”
An investigation into the causes of the flood will be carried out.
Thornbury & Yate MP Claire Young visited the scene of the flooding on Sunday night.
She said: “I’d like to thank all the emergency services for their work during the flooding at the weekend.
“I witnessed the flooding in South Yate and saw the efforts of not only the Fire and Police services, but also the likes Avon and Somerset Search and Rescue, RNLI and other voluntary organisations.
“Their dedication and professionalism was inspiring and a real help for those affected by the flooding.”
Five South Gloucestershire roads were still closed by flooding this morning, including Old Gloucester Road and Swan Lane, Winterbourne, Perrinpit Road, Frampton Cotterell and Stidcot Lane, Tytherington.
By this evening only Bath Road in Swineford was still closed.
Damsons Bridge in Winterbourne Down was also flooded for a while yesterday after the River Frome burst its banks.
Volunteer teams help rescue effort
A team of 15 volunteers from Avon & Somerset Search and Rescue (ASSAR) was involved in the immediate response to the floods in Yate.
Volunteer rescue teams from the Severn Area Rescue Association and Exmoor Search & Rescue Team also helped out.
An ASSAR spokesperson said: “Throughout the night, welfare checks were made on residents in their properties.
“Other team members delivered support roles, all part of a large multi-agency response to support people in our community.”
ASSAR is a completely voluntary organisation and relies entirely on public donations to provide its year-round emergency response service, which also carries out cliff rescues.
To support the group visit Assar.org.uk/donate.
The National Rail Enquiries website was warning passengers that rail services between Paddington and Bristol Parkway were being delayed by up to 45 minutes, with a reduced hourly service to South Wales, because of the closure of the line at Chipping Sodbury.
A statement on the website said: “As flood water recedes, Network Rail need to remove some debris which is currently blocking the line. At present, this is expected to take until the end of the day.”
Top picture: Volunteers from Avon & Somerset Search and Rescue in Yate. Picture courtesy of ASSAR.