Flooding - Update from Councillor Les Cassie

12.01.15pm BST (GMT +0100) Sun 14th Sep 2008

6th September 2008 - Oldgate Bridge and flooding of Oldagte

It's exactly one week on since the disastrous flooding of large parts of Morpeth. This was the worst flooding for 100 years, as the river came over the top of defences designed to prevent a repeat of the major 1963 flood. About 1000 homes were flooded to depths of up to 5 or 6 feet. It is a miracle that none was drowned or badly injured and we must be grateful for that. Nearly all of the affected homes are in the North Central ward for which I am one of the councillors.

There were many examples of courageous actions by members of the emergency services and by many ordinary individuals during the evacuation of so many people in danger. They deserve our heartfelt thanks. We should also thank the many council employees and voluntary workers who helped people on the day and particularly those who manned the emergency centres at KEVI and County Hall. I have heard nothing but praise for their efforts from flood victims.

As soon as the waters receded on Sunday the clean-up task began, co-ordinated by Borough Council senior officers. The Town Hall has been open all week to give help and advice. Daily advice bulletins have been widely distributed in the Town and posted on the council's website www.castlemorpeth.gov.uk. This will continue for as long as it is needed. There has been a very high level of activity from all agencies and voluntary bodies and the progress is encouraging.

The biggest immediate issue is finding alternative homes for those families who will not be able to return home for many months. To get help you should contact the council on 01670-535000, or visit the Town Hall in person.

Morpeth Lions and the Red Cross are jointly coordinating the efforts of voluntary organisations to give immediate help to the most needy and I would urge everyone to contribute to the flood victims appeal, run by the Lions.

To contact me please call on 01670-515174, or e-mail at leshcassie@aol.com. In the event that I'm not available quickly, you should also contact my colleague David Moore, who represents most of the affected areas on the County Council. He is on 01670-504683 and at the-ds@lineone.net.