A military helicopter and teams of engineers have been working through the night to bolster flood defences in already-drenched South Yorkshire with another 48 hours of heavy rain still forecast.
The RAF Chinook has been ferrying bags of aggregate on to flood banks in the Bentley area of Doncaster since Sunday evening – close to an area of housing which was inundated by floodwater on Friday.
The air crew from RAF Odiham in Hook, Hampshire, has been working 200 miles away from base and moved 40 tonnes of aggregate in 10 shuttles overnight to strengthen the banks of the River Don.
But with forecasters warning of more heavy rain in the North of England today and tomorrow, there are growing fears that several other communities could be devastated too.
The military intervention came at the request of the Environment Agency, which said on Twitter: ‘We’ve asked for military support to move aggregate to the Bentley area.
‘This doesn’t represent a further risk. The aggregate is being used to add further strength to a flood defence in the area.’
The air drops in the Doncaster area came as the Met Office issued fresh weather warnings for heavy rain in South Yorkshire and as people who stayed in a flooded village cut off by river water were urged to leave by the council.
And with the weather turning colder, snow could also fall on higher ground in the north of England and up to 10cm in parts of Scotland.
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An RAF Chinook carries out one of ten runs over night dropping 40 tonnes of aggregate on the banks of the Rover Don to protect communities in Doncaster from more flooding
The Environment Agency called in military support after an area of housing was inundated by floodwater on Friday
Teams of engineers were helping load the helicopter and move the sand, gravel and crushed stone as floods hit the north of England
The three day weather forecast for the UK this week shows that rain is expected for the next few days
The RAF in Chinook in Doncaster moving tonnes of aggregate to cut off a spit of land to shore up flood defences and improve drainage
Villagers whose homes have been swamped with waist-deep floodwater yesterday accused the authorities of abandoning them.
Fishlake, near Doncaster, was cut off by its worst flooding in living memory when the River Don burst its banks.
About 700 residents were told to evacuate over the weekend after nearly a month’s worth of rain fell in a single day.
But many said by the time flood warnings had been issued and sandbags handed out, it was already too late to save their properties from the flood.
And they said they have since been left with ‘no support’ on the ground from the local council.
About 700 residents were told to evacuate over the weekend (pictured, in Fishlake) after nearly a month’s worth of rain fell in a single day
Fishlake (pictured coffins floating inside a flooded funeral home), near Doncaster, was cut off by its worst flooding in living memory when the River Don burst its banks
A map showing the location of severe flood warnings (in red) flood warnings (red and black) and flood alerts (orange) where flooding is possible
After the weather brought chaos to parts of Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, and with little sign of the water subsiding last night, it is likely to be days until residents can start to examine the damage.
In Fishlake, which yesterday remained accessible only by boat or tractor, residents were clubbing together to provide hot food and drinking water for families who had been unwilling to leave their homes and farmers caring for livestock.
Louise Holling, who owns The Old Butchers cafe, said: ‘We’re giving out coffee and bacon sandwiches to everyone who wants them, but we’ve had no support at all from Doncaster Council.
‘My house is one of the few which wasn’t flooded. We’ve had 15 people staying. We can’t understand why the floods were so bad. There are people who have lived in the village for 90 years and they’ve never seen anything like it.’
Many said by the time flood warnings had been issued and sandbags handed out, it was already too late to save their properties from the flood (pictured)
In Fishlake, which yesterday remained accessible only by boat or tractor, residents were clubbing together to provide hot food and drinking water for families who had been unwilling to leave their homes and farmers caring for livestock. Pictured: Mark Sengelon’s flood hit home in Fishlake, South Yorkshire
Linda Bushell said she received a flood alert text message from the Environment Agency only after the water was in her house.
‘It’s completely under water,’ she said. ‘Everything is just floating about in my garden.’
Builder Mark Sengelow, 47, woke up on Saturday morning to find his house filled with 2ft of water. He said: ‘It stinks. There’s debris and sewage in it. It was heartbreaking to see the house ruined.’
A few miles upstream from Fishlake, in Bentley, specialist engineers from 170 Engineering Group were called in yesterday to offer advice, confirmed the Army.
On Twitter The Army also said a Chinook helicopter from the military’s Joint Helicopter Command ‘will soon be on task with aggregate used for strengthening the flood defences protecting homes’.
A few miles upstream from Fishlake, in Bentley, specialist engineers from 170 Engineering Group (pictured yesterday) were called in yesterday to offer advice, confirmed the Army
The home of the UK’s Chinook force, RAF Odiham shared, photos of helicopters dropping aggregate bags close to Doncaster.
In the nearby market town of Stainforth, residents were providing supplies and support to families who had abandoned their homes.
Mother-of-five Amy Grant, 27, said: ‘We’ve had donations from Sainsbury’s and McDonald’s but absolutely nothing from Doncaster Council. It’s terrible.’
Doncaster Council insisted its staff had been working around the clock to help people affected by flooding, while an RAF Chinook helicopter had been drafted in to shore up flood defences.
Chief executive Damian Allen said: ‘The council is unable to offer on-the-ground support to residents who are in severe flood warning areas, based on advice from the Environment Agency.
‘We have set up a dedicated rest centre for all Fishlake residents in neighbouring Stainforth, where council officers are on hand to offer dedicated support, advice and guidance.’
Seven severe ‘danger to life’ flood warnings remained in place last night, all along the River Don in Yorkshire, along with 40 active flood warnings.
New baby… but parents can’t bring her home
Dan Greenslade, 34, and Jade Croft, 29
New parents Dan Greenslade, 34, and Jade Croft, 29, have been unable to get back to their home in Fishlake since their daughter’s birth on Friday.
The couple had spent around £5,000 renovating their £180,000 end of terrace house ahead of the arrival of their first child, Indie.
They are staying with Jade’s parents in nearby Hatfield but are unsure when they will be able to return and Mr Greenslade, a marketing manager, fears their possessions will have been ruined.
‘All the baby clothes and things are in the house and we can’t get back to get them,’ he said. ‘It’s devastating.’