A special report has revealed the full impact that severe flooding last year had on Teesside homes and businesses
The full impact of the tidal floods that swamped parts of Stockton in December has been revealed in a special report.
At the peak of the severe flooding on December 5, around 250 residents were evacuated from Port Clarence and taken by bus to Billingham Forum, which had been set up as a rest centre.
A report to Stockton Council’s ruling Cabinet has now given a fuller picture of the damage and disruption from what was described as an “almost perfect storm” that tore through Teesside.
Up to 32 residential properties suffered severe internal flooding in Port Clarence, with a total of 140 properties affected. In addition 80 cars were written off.
The incident also hit 20 businesses in Port Clarence, Billingham Reach Industrial Estate and Seal Sands.
The flooding of three major highways, including the A66 and the closure of the Portrack interchange, increased the disruption.
Previous flooding in Port Clarence, Skinningrove and Lustrum Beck
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The flood investigation report said the weather conditions on December 5 saw a strong offshore wind combine with a deep area of low pressure forming in the North Sea.
“It was this low pressure system that caused the positive surge, on top of the already high tide,” said the report.
The 4.09m high tide that day “exceeded previous historical events”.
Richard McGuckin, head of technical services at Stockton Council, told a meeting of the Cabinet the storm surge “was almost a perfect storm”.
A flood bank on the southern side of Greatham Creek, downstream of the A178, failed during the tidal event, leading “to a very significant breach in the defences”.
The Environment Agency mobilised immediately and engaged the military, as there was no access to the breach due to the widespread flooding.
As reported, the Environment Agency has been allocated £9m from the Flood Defence Grant to help deliver a flood alleviation scheme for Port Clarence and Greatham South. Work is due to start on site in March 2015.
The flood report recommends an appropriate scheme “which delivers the highest possible flood risk benefits to residents and businesses in the flood risk area”.
Other recommendations include Stockton Council and all risk management partners review their response to the incident and “identify any areas for improvement”.
The Environment Agency should work with local businesses to help with protection from future incidents, and residents at risk of flooding “should also consider how they can prepare for future incidents and how they could protect their properties.”
David Rose, Cabinet member for environment, believed Stockton Council went “above and beyond” its responsibilities on the day, “getting people out safely from what was a dangerous situation.”
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