AN IMPORTANT UPDATE has been provided regarding the situation in the Yate and Chipping Sodbury areas.

This comes as a red alert issued for the area has now been removed after river levels dropped overnight. 

Yate Leisure Centre was opened opened up last night as an Emergency Rest Centre after houses flooded in Slimbridge Close and Littledean.

A JustGiving Page has also been set up to help the victims of flooding in the Yate and Chipping Sodbury areas, which has already raised £1,000. 

A spokesperson for South Gloucestershire Council has this afternoon sent the Gazette an update on the situation. 

It read: “We received around 130 out of hours calls relating to the severe weather brought by Storm Bert on Sunday night, with high winds damaging trees and heavy rainfall flooding roads and affecting properties across the district.

"Thirty trees were blown over and we distributed around 1500 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 last 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.

“Water levels are now receding, and we have had council staff out this morning (Monday 25 Nov), calling at the houses which have been flooded to offer support and understand any help they may require.

"Staff will be returning tomorrow to those houses where nobody was at home.

"Our StreetCare teams were working through the night and are continuing to clear roads, trees and debris and make sure warning signs are in place.

"Residents are being advised to check the council's flooding webpage."