A MAJOR incident was declared in Yate on Sunday night as Storm Bert caused chaos with roads closed, homes and businesses flooded and an emergency centre set up.

A red flood alert was issued for the area with Yate Leisure Centre opening in the evening as an emergency rest centre after homes flooded in Slimbridge Close and Littledean.

South Gloucestershire Council deemed it a major incident after 100 properties in the Shire Way area flooded while a further 100 were cut off by rising water.

In total, 130 out of hours calls were made to the authority with 1,500 sandbags given out to residents.

Flooded roads include the A431 around Bath Road in Swineford, Shire Way, Yate and adjacent roads and St John’s Way in Chipping Sodbury and adjacent roads.

In addition, the railway line through Chipping Sodbury flooded on Monday morning.

Community spirit shone with neighbours coming together to support each other.

Mayor Ben Nutland said: “Our hearts go out to the families affected.

“This has been an incredibly challenging time but I am so proud of the community spirit that has been shown.

“Neighbours have come together, volunteers have stepped up, and we’ve all worked hand in hand to support one another.

It is in moments like these that the strength and resilience of our community truly shines.”

Chris Willmore, councillor for Yate North ward at South Gloucestershire Council said: “We are all in shock, it was a bolt out of the blue.

“I am so very sad for everyone affected - it’s too awful for words, a quiet Sunday evening at home and then suddenly your home has been wrecked.

“Words feel inadequate.

“We want to thank all the emergency services, including the RNLI who arrived to help.

“We saw amazing offers of help on the night, family, friends, neighbours all pulling together.

“But this is not a one night event, it is going to take weeks and months for the families affected to sort things out.

“On behalf of the wider community, I want to stress that if people need help as you work through this, please ask.

“You have the whole community ready to help.

“The Environment Agency, Network Rail And South Gloucestershire Council are urgently investigating why it happened and how to prevent a repeat.

“I know some people have blamed the drains not being cleaned, but that does not explain the scale of the flood.

“So it is critical action is taken quickly to find the cause and prevent any more problems.

“I’ve spoken with the Environment Agency and SGC about a number of other places including St John’s Way, Celestine Road, Henfield, Rangeworthy, Cromhall and Frampton Cotterell - to try to investigate solutions.

“We’ve met officials about Henfield and the Environment Agency about St John’s Way and they have come up with proposals that should help.

“The council was so stretched in the September floods and this weekend they simply can’t get the road closed signs up everywhere fast enough , so we saw residents having to do it themselves acting as human road closed signs.

“Communities have offered to store the signs and put them up. I hope that the legal obstacles to that can be overcome.  “But most of all, residents need solutions that will keep them safe and dry.”

MP Claire Young, who witnessed the flooding first-hand on Sunday,  said: “I’d like to thank all the emergency services for their work during the flooding.

“I witnessed the flooding in South Yate yesterday 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 has been inspiring and a real help for those affected by the flooding.”

A spokesperson for South Gloucestershire Council said: “We received around 130 out of hours calls relating to the severe weather brought by Storm Bert on Sunday night (November 24), 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 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.

"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 for the latest information and advice. 

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