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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/environment/live/2015/dec/29/uk-floods-more-gales-and-downpours-forecast-as-cleanup-continues-live-coverage
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| Storm Frank: Tadcaster evacuated as bridge partially collapses - as it happened | Storm Frank: Tadcaster evacuated as bridge partially collapses - as it happened |
| (7 months later) | |
| 8.18pm GMT | 8.18pm GMT |
| 20:18 | 20:18 |
| Looters targeted flooded York homes | Looters targeted flooded York homes |
| Looters targeted several flooded homes in York, according to police, who have been giving details of the thefts. | Looters targeted several flooded homes in York, according to police, who have been giving details of the thefts. |
| A number of houses were targeted into in a city street while they were submerged in dirty water, according to North Yorkshire police. | A number of houses were targeted into in a city street while they were submerged in dirty water, according to North Yorkshire police. |
| The Press Association reports: | The Press Association reports: |
| It came as a huge clear-up got under way in York as falling river levels and repairs to industrial water pumps saw many flooded streets drained of filthy water. | It came as a huge clear-up got under way in York as falling river levels and repairs to industrial water pumps saw many flooded streets drained of filthy water. |
| Acting Superintendent Mark Grange said: “It is extremely disappointing to see victims of the floods being targeted in this way. | Acting Superintendent Mark Grange said: “It is extremely disappointing to see victims of the floods being targeted in this way. |
| “It is impossible to comprehend why anyone would want to bring further suffering to those who are already in a very vulnerable situation.” | “It is impossible to comprehend why anyone would want to bring further suffering to those who are already in a very vulnerable situation.” |
| The homes were targeted in the early hours of December 28 in Huntington Road, which was submerged by the River Foss at the time. | The homes were targeted in the early hours of December 28 in Huntington Road, which was submerged by the River Foss at the time. |
| One home was burgled after the back door was forced, while at a second tools were taken from a shed. | One home was burgled after the back door was forced, while at a second tools were taken from a shed. |
| The deputy chief constable of North Yorkshire police tweets: | The deputy chief constable of North Yorkshire police tweets: |
| Urge anyone with any information to contact the police, despicable criminal acts when communities are so vulnerable. https://t.co/LHUDrNSc71 | Urge anyone with any information to contact the police, despicable criminal acts when communities are so vulnerable. https://t.co/LHUDrNSc71 |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 9.53pm GMT | at 9.53pm GMT |
| 8.15pm GMT | 8.15pm GMT |
| 20:15 | 20:15 |
| As they return to their flood-damaged homes, residents of York have been expressing anger and frustration about government decisions and the lack of adequate warning after years of false alarms. | As they return to their flood-damaged homes, residents of York have been expressing anger and frustration about government decisions and the lack of adequate warning after years of false alarms. |
| Here is some video capturing their views. | Here is some video capturing their views. |
| 8.08pm GMT | 8.08pm GMT |
| 20:08 | 20:08 |
| Here are some more images from the scene in Tadcaster, including photographers of some of the troops who have been drafted in to help with evacuations of residents from homes. | Here are some more images from the scene in Tadcaster, including photographers of some of the troops who have been drafted in to help with evacuations of residents from homes. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 9.53pm GMT | at 9.53pm GMT |
| 8.03pm GMT | 8.03pm GMT |
| 20:03 | 20:03 |
| Some Tadcaster residents have meanwhile been plunged into darkness as a power cut hit the part of the town which lies to the east of the river. | Some Tadcaster residents have meanwhile been plunged into darkness as a power cut hit the part of the town which lies to the east of the river. |
| It’s not clear if this is linked to the bridge collapse. | It’s not clear if this is linked to the bridge collapse. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 8.06pm GMT | at 8.06pm GMT |
| 7.59pm GMT | 7.59pm GMT |
| 19:59 | 19:59 |
| Here’s the Environment Agency map showing, in dark purple, the areas of Tadcaster where flood warnings are in place. | Here’s the Environment Agency map showing, in dark purple, the areas of Tadcaster where flood warnings are in place. |
| The Conservative MP for the local constituency of Selby and Ansty, Nigel Adams, has said he was visiting the scene earlier. | The Conservative MP for the local constituency of Selby and Ansty, Nigel Adams, has said he was visiting the scene earlier. |
| He said: “It was a few hours before it collapsed. We did go on to have a look at some of the damage. In hindsight, we shouldn’t have been on it. | He said: “It was a few hours before it collapsed. We did go on to have a look at some of the damage. In hindsight, we shouldn’t have been on it. |
| “But I thought it was important that I showed the secretary of state the severity of the damage and the impact.” | “But I thought it was important that I showed the secretary of state the severity of the damage and the impact.” |
| “We are where we are now. We need to try and ensure that it’s repaired as soon as practically possible and that every possible resource be available to the highways, to the county council to make that happens.” | “We are where we are now. We need to try and ensure that it’s repaired as soon as practically possible and that every possible resource be available to the highways, to the county council to make that happens.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 8.02pm GMT | at 8.02pm GMT |
| 7.51pm GMT | 7.51pm GMT |
| 19:51 | 19:51 |
| Government releases extra £50m in funding | Government releases extra £50m in funding |
| An extra £50m in official funding has been released, which the government says will be available immediately to local authorities to help them support households and businesses affected by floods. | An extra £50m in official funding has been released, which the government says will be available immediately to local authorities to help them support households and businesses affected by floods. |
| The funding extends the total level of of support pledged by the government for the winter floods to more than £100m, according to the Department for Communities and Local Government. | The funding extends the total level of of support pledged by the government for the winter floods to more than £100m, according to the Department for Communities and Local Government. |
| Communities secretary Greg Clark also said that the Bellwin scheme, which was activated following storm Desmond, would be extended to those councils impacted by storm Eva over Christmas. It means that local authorities will be able to apply to have 100% of their costs above threshold reimbursed through the scheme. | Communities secretary Greg Clark also said that the Bellwin scheme, which was activated following storm Desmond, would be extended to those councils impacted by storm Eva over Christmas. It means that local authorities will be able to apply to have 100% of their costs above threshold reimbursed through the scheme. |
| “No-one could fail to be moved by the scenes of devastation left in the wake of storm Eva – we’re determined to ensure all those affected get the support they need quickly,” said Clark. | “No-one could fail to be moved by the scenes of devastation left in the wake of storm Eva – we’re determined to ensure all those affected get the support they need quickly,” said Clark. |
| Clark’s department said that the money would, for example, help with temporary accommodation costs while authorities worked to get people back into their homes. | Clark’s department said that the money would, for example, help with temporary accommodation costs while authorities worked to get people back into their homes. |
| They added that it would support people as they protected their homes against future floods by providing grants of up to £5,000, so they can install new flood barriers, replace doors and windows with water resistant alternatives or move electricity sockets up to a safer level. | They added that it would support people as they protected their homes against future floods by providing grants of up to £5,000, so they can install new flood barriers, replace doors and windows with water resistant alternatives or move electricity sockets up to a safer level. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 9.54pm GMT | at 9.54pm GMT |
| 7.43pm GMT | 7.43pm GMT |
| 19:43 | 19:43 |
| The emergency services are still hard at it elsewhere. North Yorkshire fire service says it has just rescued four people from a car which was stuck in flood water in the York area. | The emergency services are still hard at it elsewhere. North Yorkshire fire service says it has just rescued four people from a car which was stuck in flood water in the York area. |
| We have just rescued 4 people from a car stuck in flood water using rescue boats with assistance from @WestMidsFire @HWFire #yorkfloods | We have just rescued 4 people from a car stuck in flood water using rescue boats with assistance from @WestMidsFire @HWFire #yorkfloods |
| 7.36pm GMT | 7.36pm GMT |
| 19:36 | 19:36 |
| Homes in Tadcaster are being evacuated on either side of the bridge while people are being taken to a rest centre at Tadcaster Grammar school, according to North Yorkshire Police. | Homes in Tadcaster are being evacuated on either side of the bridge while people are being taken to a rest centre at Tadcaster Grammar school, according to North Yorkshire Police. |
| The school is to the west, on the town’s outskirts. | The school is to the west, on the town’s outskirts. |
| 7.27pm GMT | 7.27pm GMT |
| 19:27 | 19:27 |
| The earlier decision to close the bridge due to structural fears had “almost certainly saved lives”, according to Johnny Lyttle, a civil engineer working on flood risk management projects in Yorkshire and the North East. | The earlier decision to close the bridge due to structural fears had “almost certainly saved lives”, according to Johnny Lyttle, a civil engineer working on flood risk management projects in Yorkshire and the North East. |
| Huge respect for whoever closed Tadcaster Bridge due to structural fears. Almost certainly saved lives. @SelbyDC @NYorksPolice @EnvAgencyYNE | Huge respect for whoever closed Tadcaster Bridge due to structural fears. Almost certainly saved lives. @SelbyDC @NYorksPolice @EnvAgencyYNE |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 7.35pm GMT | at 7.35pm GMT |
| 6.39pm GMT | 6.39pm GMT |
| 18:39 | 18:39 |
| The best picture so far showing the Tadcaster bridge collapse. | The best picture so far showing the Tadcaster bridge collapse. |
| Can't believe #Tadcaster bridge has collapsed - town split in 2. This pic was taken by the fab Giles Rocholl. pic.twitter.com/ntYRr88BP2 | Can't believe #Tadcaster bridge has collapsed - town split in 2. This pic was taken by the fab Giles Rocholl. pic.twitter.com/ntYRr88BP2 |
| 6.37pm GMT | 6.37pm GMT |
| 18:37 | 18:37 |
| Severe flood warning issued after Tadcaster bridge collapse | Severe flood warning issued after Tadcaster bridge collapse |
| People are being evacuated in Tadcaster after the Environment Agency issued a severe flood warning in response to the bridge collapse there. The warning, issued at 5.47pm on Tuesday says: | People are being evacuated in Tadcaster after the Environment Agency issued a severe flood warning in response to the bridge collapse there. The warning, issued at 5.47pm on Tuesday says: |
| This severe flood warning has been issued due to the structural failure of Tadcaster Bridge over the river Wharfe in Tadcaster. Significant flooding is expected in the Tadcaster area. Those in this area are advised to evacuate immediately. The situation is serious and there is a significant risk to life. Please follow the advice of the emergency services and officials in the area. | This severe flood warning has been issued due to the structural failure of Tadcaster Bridge over the river Wharfe in Tadcaster. Significant flooding is expected in the Tadcaster area. Those in this area are advised to evacuate immediately. The situation is serious and there is a significant risk to life. Please follow the advice of the emergency services and officials in the area. |
| Pictures have begun circulating on Twitter showing the massive emergency services response to the collapse. | Pictures have begun circulating on Twitter showing the massive emergency services response to the collapse. |
| Scene in Tadcaster. Evacuees being sent to Tadcaster Grammar #Tadcaster #tadcasterbridge pic.twitter.com/kEbYpzwXoH | Scene in Tadcaster. Evacuees being sent to Tadcaster Grammar #Tadcaster #tadcasterbridge pic.twitter.com/kEbYpzwXoH |
| David Wiseman, a member of rescue NGO Team Rubicon, who is on the scene in Tadcaster, says he thinks the collapse of the bridge may be down to the weight of debris hitting it over several days of floods. | David Wiseman, a member of rescue NGO Team Rubicon, who is on the scene in Tadcaster, says he thinks the collapse of the bridge may be down to the weight of debris hitting it over several days of floods. |
| He says that, with the debris from the collapse now adding to the blockages in the river Wharfe, he now fears that much of the clean-up work by his team, locals and emergency services could be undone by fresh flooding. | He says that, with the debris from the collapse now adding to the blockages in the river Wharfe, he now fears that much of the clean-up work by his team, locals and emergency services could be undone by fresh flooding. |
| Wiseman, who is incidentally a Tadcaster local, told Sky News: | Wiseman, who is incidentally a Tadcaster local, told Sky News: |
| The bridge collapse, I think, is due to the sheer weight of water which is pressing against that bridge for so many days, and also the cumulative effect of just tree upon tree, all that debris flowing down that river and just smashing into that bridge over the past few days. | The bridge collapse, I think, is due to the sheer weight of water which is pressing against that bridge for so many days, and also the cumulative effect of just tree upon tree, all that debris flowing down that river and just smashing into that bridge over the past few days. |
| The effect of that closure, that could be closed now for months on end, and it’s just going to get the down in half | The effect of that closure, that could be closed now for months on end, and it’s just going to get the down in half |
| He praised the work of the community and emergency services in cleaning up the town after severe floods just 36 hours earlier, but added: | He praised the work of the community and emergency services in cleaning up the town after severe floods just 36 hours earlier, but added: |
| What we are worried about now is that debris that’s fallen under the bridge will create an obstacle for more debris that will be flooding down on the heavy rains top come. It would just be a travesty if there is more floods to come as a result of that debris and flood the hard work that we have done over the past few days. | What we are worried about now is that debris that’s fallen under the bridge will create an obstacle for more debris that will be flooding down on the heavy rains top come. It would just be a travesty if there is more floods to come as a result of that debris and flood the hard work that we have done over the past few days. |
| Tadcaster bridge before it collapsed. Been there many 100's of years. Sad day for Tadcaster. pic.twitter.com/U0sRBzAvFF | Tadcaster bridge before it collapsed. Been there many 100's of years. Sad day for Tadcaster. pic.twitter.com/U0sRBzAvFF |
| The collapsed bridge at Tadcaster was c.1700, widened in 1791 by York architect John Carr who also worked at @fairfax_house. Tragic loss. | The collapsed bridge at Tadcaster was c.1700, widened in 1791 by York architect John Carr who also worked at @fairfax_house. Tragic loss. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 6.42pm GMT | at 6.42pm GMT |
| 6.20pm GMT | 6.20pm GMT |
| 18:20 | 18:20 |
| Wind map at 1645. An awsome terrible beauty is #stormFrank. Look at the sweep of it - way down to the S of Portugal pic.twitter.com/NmHnWESt54 | Wind map at 1645. An awsome terrible beauty is #stormFrank. Look at the sweep of it - way down to the S of Portugal pic.twitter.com/NmHnWESt54 |
| 6.03pm GMT | 6.03pm GMT |
| 18:03 | 18:03 |
| Sarah Topping was close to the Tadcaster bridge as it collapsed and managed to capture this video of it crumbling into the swollen river Wharfe. | Sarah Topping was close to the Tadcaster bridge as it collapsed and managed to capture this video of it crumbling into the swollen river Wharfe. |
| @BBCLookNorth Tadcaster bridge has collapsed following the flooding! pic.twitter.com/LA4zNd80CX | @BBCLookNorth Tadcaster bridge has collapsed following the flooding! pic.twitter.com/LA4zNd80CX |
| Local paper the Harrogate Advertiser reports that the bridge has been closed to the public since Saturday. There are reports, it says, that people are being evacuated from the area. PA reporter Dave Higgens also has some slightly clearer video, showing the immediate aftermath of the collapse. | Local paper the Harrogate Advertiser reports that the bridge has been closed to the public since Saturday. There are reports, it says, that people are being evacuated from the area. PA reporter Dave Higgens also has some slightly clearer video, showing the immediate aftermath of the collapse. |
| The bridge in #Tadcaster has collapsed pic.twitter.com/nIGBxU6iIe | The bridge in #Tadcaster has collapsed pic.twitter.com/nIGBxU6iIe |
| North Yorkshire police has tweeted to ask people to stay away from the area around the bridge. | North Yorkshire police has tweeted to ask people to stay away from the area around the bridge. |
| Please avoid the area around #Tadcaster bridge. Emergency services are in attendance following reports it has collapsed. | Please avoid the area around #Tadcaster bridge. Emergency services are in attendance following reports it has collapsed. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 6.18pm GMT | at 6.18pm GMT |
| 5.51pm GMT | 5.51pm GMT |
| 17:51 | 17:51 |
| Helen Pidd | Helen Pidd |
| Helen Pidd, the Guardian’s north of England editor, has been in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, to see the clean-up efforts after the worst floods that anyone in the town can remember. | Helen Pidd, the Guardian’s north of England editor, has been in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, to see the clean-up efforts after the worst floods that anyone in the town can remember. |
| A group of Syrian refugees from Manchester had even pitched up ready to help, and were put to work shovelling sand into sandbags, in the car park of the Conservative club in Littleborough. | A group of Syrian refugees from Manchester had even pitched up ready to help, and were put to work shovelling sand into sandbags, in the car park of the Conservative club in Littleborough. |
| “We saw the pictures on TV and wanted to help,” said Yasser al-Jassem, 35, a teacher who came to Britain in the back of a lorry from Calais in May. “The people of Greater Manchester have been very good to us and so we wanted to offer our help to them.” | “We saw the pictures on TV and wanted to help,” said Yasser al-Jassem, 35, a teacher who came to Britain in the back of a lorry from Calais in May. “The people of Greater Manchester have been very good to us and so we wanted to offer our help to them.” |
| But many of the 180 households who were flooded out in Littleborough, a few miles north of Rochdale town centre, when the river Roach burst its banks on Saturday, didn’t see the point in protecting their homes. They turned their noses up at the sandbags. “There’s nowt left to protect,” said Sean Whitham, whose terrace on Todmorden Road was one of the worst affected. | But many of the 180 households who were flooded out in Littleborough, a few miles north of Rochdale town centre, when the river Roach burst its banks on Saturday, didn’t see the point in protecting their homes. They turned their noses up at the sandbags. “There’s nowt left to protect,” said Sean Whitham, whose terrace on Todmorden Road was one of the worst affected. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 5.52pm GMT | at 5.52pm GMT |
| 5.40pm GMT | 5.40pm GMT |
| 17:40 | 17:40 |
| Partial bridge collapse in Tadcaster | Partial bridge collapse in Tadcaster |
| Part of the historic bridge in the centre of Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, has collapsed into the River Wharfe. | Part of the historic bridge in the centre of Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, has collapsed into the River Wharfe. |
| The road was closed due to fears over the structural safety of the bridge but a small crowd gathered on Tuesday evening as stone could be heard falling into the water and creaking noises could be heard. | The road was closed due to fears over the structural safety of the bridge but a small crowd gathered on Tuesday evening as stone could be heard falling into the water and creaking noises could be heard. |
| York floods: Tadcaster bridge partially collapses following heavy flooding https://t.co/DS5JCtXtWK pic.twitter.com/VT5TNwHDc6 | York floods: Tadcaster bridge partially collapses following heavy flooding https://t.co/DS5JCtXtWK pic.twitter.com/VT5TNwHDc6 |
| Just before 5pm a huge chunk of the bridge fell into the water. | Just before 5pm a huge chunk of the bridge fell into the water. |
| People watching ran as a wave headed towards the bank and a strong smell of gas came from pipes left visible in the gaping hole. | People watching ran as a wave headed towards the bank and a strong smell of gas came from pipes left visible in the gaping hole. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 6.09pm GMT | at 6.09pm GMT |