Major incident stood down as multi-agency response moves to recovery phase

29 November 2024

Update - 2pm on Friday 29 November

Major incident stood down as multi-agency response moves to recovery phase

The major incident declared by the Local Resilience Forum (LRF) in response to the widespread flooding in Northamptonshire has been stood down.

A major incident was declared on Monday (25 November) following significant rainfall throughout the weekend as a result of Storm Bert. Rain also fell overnight from Tuesday (26 November) into Wednesday (27 November).

Over the past week, the LRF - involving Northamptonshire Police, Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service, North Northamptonshire Council, West Northamptonshire Council and the Environment Agency -  have been working together to provide a robust, multi-agency response which protects our communities across the county.

Today (29 November), the Environment Agency has reported that the river levels are nearly back to normal with the Northampton Washlands down to 30% full and continuing to drain.

In West Northamptonshire, the flood warning has been removed from Billing Aquadrome. Those with accommodation at the site cannot return until advised to do so by the site management company.

In North Northamptonshire, the severe flood warning has been removed from Yarwell Mill after water levels peaked at the site at 9.30pm last night (28 November) and continue to fall. However, residents at the site should also not return until advised to do by the site management company.

A number of people from both sites have been supported by both West and North Northamptonshire Councils who have provided those displaced with rest centres and other provisions.

As a result of the clearer picture going into the weekend, the LRF has made the decision to stand down the major incident and move into the recovery stage of their multi-agency response.

Since we declared a major incident on Monday, the LRF has been working hard to keep our communities safe, support those who have been displaced as a result of the flooding, as well as trying to minimise disruption to the wider public and local businesses.

The water levels we have seen this week have been higher than that of the 1998 floods, which just goes to show the work everyone has put in to ensure that everyone in the county has been kept safe.

I’m grateful for everyone’s work and I’d also like to thank the wider public for their cooperation, support and understanding.

We have now made the decision to stand down the major incident but remain ready to react should the situation change.

Our focus now will be to move onto the recovery phase of our response however I would still encourage anyone with any concerns to contact the relevant LRF agency who will be happy to help.Superintendent Steve Freeman, who is heading the response to the flooding through the Local Resilience Forum (LRF)

Our communities are asked to remain alert, be prepared and sign up to receive free flood warnings by calling 0345 988 1188 or visiting Government's flooding pages. 

Update - 12 noon on Friday 29 November

The situation at Yarwell Mill is improving with water levels gradually decreasing.

Our rest centre at Oundle Library has now been stood down.

Update - 09:45am on Friday 29 November

A multi-agency response to the flooding at Yarwell Mill has been scaled back overnight after the water levels continue to fall.

A severe flood warning – meaning there is a risk to life – was issued at the site, which sits on the outskirts of Peterborough, just after 11.45am yesterday (28 November), with residents asked to leave for their own safety.

Throughout the day, Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) assisted the site management company with the evacuation of 32 people, with the water levels peaking at 9.30pm last night.

Since then, the water levels have fallen and NFRS have scaled down its operation, however remain on hand to support North Northamptonshire Council and the Yarwell Mill site management as necessary should the situation develop today.

This morning (29 November), a specialist Water Incident Manager from NFRS will return to the site to make an assessment of the current situation.

Our priority remains the safety of residents, and the LRF will review the conditions on site ahead of decisions to remove the Severe Flood Warning.

No incidents in the wider area were reported to NFRS yesterday.

North Northamptonshire Council has been in regular contact with the site’s management company since the weekend and has also been working to safeguard the most vulnerable people at the site.

The Council has been supporting residents with a rest centre at Oundle Library and continues to offer support to those evacuated from the site.

In West Northamptonshire, the Billing Aquadrome site remains inaccessible due to flooding and those displaced from the site should not return until they are advised to do so by the site management company.

The LRF - involving Northamptonshire Police, Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service, North Northamptonshire Council, West Northamptonshire Council and the Environment Agency – continue to treat the flooding as a major incident, but hope to move into the recovery phase of their response as we move into the weekend.

It’s been a real team effort to respond to the widespread flooding across the county and I would like to thank all of the LRF partners involved as well as our residents in Northamptonshire who, in the main, have been very supportive and understanding whilst we have dealt with this situation.

Although it’s good news to hear that the water levels are falling, people with accommodation at Yarwell Mill and Billing Aquadrome should not return to the sites until advised to do so.

Although we hope to move into the recovery phase of our response soon, the LRF will not become complacent and we stand ready to step up our response again should the situation change.Superintendent Steve Freeman, who is heading the response to the flooding through the Local Resilience Forum (LRF)

People are still being asked to follow safety advice including checking travel information before setting off, driving appropriately for the road conditions, and being prepared to meet standing water, with motorists warned against entering it or trying to drive through it.

Please do not attempt to drive through road closures or wade through deep flood water. This not only puts your safety at risk but could also put the people rescuing you at risk, as well as resulting in some very costly repairs to your vehicle.

Our communities are asked to remain alert, be prepared and sign up to receive free flood warnings by calling 0345 988 1188 or visiting Government's flooding pages. 
 

Update - 14:45pm on Thursday 28 November

A severe flood warning – meaning there is a risk to life – has been issued at Yarwell Mill and the surrounding area, as the Local Resilience Forum (LRF) continue to work together to respond to the widespread flooding across Northamptonshire.

The warning was issued just after 11.45am this morning (November 28), following a rise in water levels and Environment Agency advice that these levels have yet to peak. For more information about the warning, please visit the Government's website.

The Yarwell Mill site on the outskirts of Peterborough is home to nearly 300 people and over the past few days, all have been advised to evacuate. Many of the roads around the site are submerged and Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) has launched boats at the park.

NFRS has been on site at Yarwell Mill since around 2.30am on Tuesday morning (November 27).

Crews have been onsite since then liaising with Site Management, Emergency Planning, Northamptonshire Search and Rescue, the Environment Agency, and Police, to help residents and encourage them to evacuate safely.

The NFRS Water Rescue Team has been patrolling the site since Tuesday offering assistance to residents and monitoring the situation.

The Service remains on site and with the help of partner agencies, will use their boats to assist with the rescue of people if required.

North Northamptonshire Council has been in regular contact with the site’s management company since the weekend and have also been working to safeguard the most vulnerable people at the site.

The Council has set up a rest centre at Oundle Library and they stand ready to support all of the residents who have been evacuated.

The LRF - involving Northamptonshire Police, Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service, North Northamptonshire Council, West Northamptonshire Council and the Environment Agency – continue to treat the flooding as a major incident, and a multi-agency response that works toward recovery continues at pace.

In West Northamptonshire, the Billing Aquadrome site is still inaccessible due to flooding and those displaced from the site should not return until they are advised to do so by the site management company.

We have been working hard over the past few days to deliver a robust, multi-agency response to this situation and I would like to thank the local community for their patience.

Since this was declared a major incident on Monday (November 25), we have been advising residents at Yarwell Mill to evacuate. A severe flood warning has now been issued at the site and to prioritise everyone’s safety, I would strongly advise that everyone there evacuates until it is safe to return. So if you haven’t already left, you need to do so now. There is a serious risk to life by staying as the water levels there continue to rise.

We will continue working hard, as a partnership, to respond to this ever-changing situation and anyone with any concerns is encouraged to contact the relevant LRF agency who will be happy to help.Superintendent Steve Freeman, who is heading the response to the flooding through the Local Resilience Forum (LRF)

People are still being asked to follow safety advice including checking travel information before setting off, driving appropriately for the road conditions, and being prepared to meet standing water, with motorists warned against entering it or trying to drive through it.

Please do not attempt to drive through road closures or wade through deep flood water. This not only puts your safety at risk but could also put the people rescuing you at risk, as well as resulting in some very costly repairs to your vehicle.

Our communities are asked to remain alert, be prepared and sign up to receive free flood warnings by calling 0345 988 1188 or visiting the Government's flooding pages. 

Update - 12:10pm on Thursday 28 November

Evacuate

This is a severe flood warning for areas near the River Nene from Elton to Wansford.

This warning has been issued due to the onset of flooding at Yarwell Mill Country Park creating deep water. This means there is danger to life, and you must act now. 

Call 999 if in immediate danger, follow advice from emergency services, keep you and your family safe. 

Severe flooding is expected to continue. Evacuate the area.

Update - 11:50am on Thursday 28 November

Flood waters are expected to remain high for a few days.

Our centre at Nassington Village Hall has now closed.

Shelter, advice and support is available from our officers all day today at Oundle Library, Glapthorn Road, Oundle.

Update - 9:40am on Thursday 28 November

We have opened Oundle library to provide a temporary assistance centre for residents of Yarwell Mill.

Update - 7:30pm on Wednesday 27 November

North Northamptonshire Council opened Nassington Village Hall to provide a temporary assistance centre for residents of Yarwell Mill.

The village hall will be open from 9pm this evening (27 November) to 8am tomorrow (28 November). This has now moved to Oundle library.

Based on current water levels we feel it is highly probable that there will be flooding at the Yarwell Mill site.

Update - 3pm on Wednesday 27 November

Northamptonshire’s Local Resilience Forum (LRF) continue to work together to deliver a robust, multi-agency response to the flooding across the county.

A major incident was declared on Monday 25 November following significant rainfall throughout the weekend as a result of Storm Bert. Rain also fell overnight from Tuesday 26 November into today (Wednesday 27 November).

Although the rain levels this morning are less than expected and drier weather is expected over the next few days, the Local Resilience Forum (LRF) - involving Northamptonshire Police, Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service, North Northamptonshire Council, West Northamptonshire Council and the Environment Agency - continue to work together to support those who have been displaced as a result of the flooding as well working to keep our communities across the county safe.

Although the severe flood warning has been removed from Billing Aquadrome in Northampton, the site is still heavily flooded and residents should not return until they are advised to do so by the site management company.

Over the past few days, more than 1,000 people have had to leave the site, supported by West Northamptonshire Council, and more than 150 caravans have been significantly affected by flood water.

In North Northamptonshire, the Environment Agency is expecting water levels at Yarwell Mill to reach their peak over the next six hours. North Northamptonshire Council has been in regular contact with the site’s management company since the weekend and stand ready to support residents who have been advised to evacuate with a rest centre and other provisions.

Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service has not had to deploy crews to any flooding related incidents today (27 November) - but is working with partners to ensure sufficient resources are in place to deal with any flooding incidents that it may be required to attend, including at Yarwell Mill.

The Fire Service is reminding people to consider the hidden dangers of flood water, and not to attempt to enter it either on foot or in a vehicle.

The Environment Agency is continuing to monitor the situation with drones carrying out aerial surveys of the River Nene as the peak moves through the catchment as well as creating capacity in the Northampton Washlands by carefully releasing flood water, helping to mitigate the risk of flooding to communities and businesses.  

Road closures remain in place across the county with continued disruption to public transport.  All trains from Northampton station remain cancelled today with Network Rail working hard to reinstate service.

Although drier weather is expected over the next few days, the multi-agency response continues to treat the flooding as a major incident.

Just like the majority of people across the county, I welcome the news that we are expecting drier weather over the next few days, however our LRF response to this major incident continues at pace and we continue to work hard to respond to the flooding.

Although the severe weather warning has been removed from Billing Aquadrome, there is a still a lot of water in the area and residents should not return until this water dries up, hopefully towards the end of the week, although the situation is constantly being monitored.

Whilst I don’t underestimate the impact it is having on people who have been forced to evacuate their accommodation, both at Billing and at Yarwell Mill, this has been done with people’s safety in mind and I’d like to thank everyone there for their cooperation.

I’d also like to again thank the wider community in Northamptonshire for their patience during this time. We are working hard as a partnership to respond to this situation and we hope to be able to move into the recovery phase of our response very soon.

Anyone with any concerns is encouraged to contact the relevant LRF agency who will be happy to help.Superintendent Steve Freeman - Heading the response to the flooding through the Local Resilience Forum (LRF)

People are still being asked to follow safety advice including checking travel information before setting off, driving appropriately for the road conditions, and being prepared to meet standing water, with motorists warned against entering it or trying to drive through it.

Do not attempt to drive through road closures or wade through deep flood water. This not only puts your safety at risk but could also put the people rescuing you at risk, as well as resulting in some very costly repairs to your vehicle.

Our communities are asked to remain alert, be prepared and sign up to receive free flood warnings by calling 0345 988 1188 or visiting the Government's flooding pages. 

Road closures

Current closures:

• Barnwell Road, Barnwell
• Cotterstock Road, Tansor
• Gainsborough Road / Lowry close, Corby
• Grendon Road / Station Road, Earls Barton
• Hardwater Road, Wollaston
• Irthlingborough Road, Wellingborough
• Pilton Road, Lilford
• Ringstead Road, Woodford
• The Slips / Harrowden Road, Finedon / Little Harrowden

Flood advice

People across the county are asked to continue to follow the safety advice on our social media feeds, following the Environment Agency for flood alerts.

Flood reports can be submitted online:

You can also report other highways issues:

Follow the Met Office for up-to-date weather reports and warnings where you live.

By only dialling 999 in an emergency where life is at risk, you're helping us prioritise helping those most in need.

You can find advice on what to do during a flood at GOV.UK.

Emergency flood assistance centres

Corby

The assistance centre at the Cube in Corby has been stood down - but residents can still receive support with housing and other issues at the One Stop Shop.

Kettering

The flood assistance centre set up at the Counties Community Centre, for residents of in the Venture Park area, has been stood down.

Yarwell Mill

We are opening Nassington Village Hall to provide a temporary assistance centre for residents of Yarwell Mill.

Flood protection equipment

Sandbags or similar flood protection measures, like absorbent sacks can be purchased at most building supplies stores.