Flooded Morpeth becomes Britain’s latest lake

Sep 7 2008 by Coreena Ford, Sunday Sun

RESIDENTS in Northumberland were evacuated last night after a swollen river threatened to burst its banks.

People were moved out of about 50 properties in the High Stanners area of Morpeth and several in the village of Powburn as rain lashed the county.

The normally peaceful River Wansbeck rose and became a torrent, and councillor Andrew Tebbutt said the local library, church and dozens of properties had been engulfed. He said: “Basically, Morpeth is Britain’s latest lake. Thank God for the RAF helicopter . . . it has lifted a number of people to safety.

“The river levels rose so rapidly it took us a bit by surprise. We are not overwhelmed but we are stretched to the limit. We fear it is going to get worse before it gets better.”

Residents in High Stanners were spending the day in temporary accommodation at King Edward VI School or the town hall.

A spokesman for Northumbria Police said another nearby area had been affected. She said: “Officers are visiting residents in Mathesons Gardens, advising them to self-evacuate.

“Staff from Castle Morpeth are handing out sandbags on a priority basis.” As the Environment Agency issued a flood alert for the whole of Morpeth, a water rescue team from the emergency services was in attendance and some residents used inflatable dinghies to travel.

Powburn, Northumberland, was cut off in both directions due to flooding of the Breamish and nearby streams, and a mudslide at the nearby dene added to villagers’ woes.

Meanwhile, Humber coastguard tasked rescue crews from Blyth, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea and Amble to help with the evacuation operation in Morpeth, with extra assistance from a rescue helicopter. Many rural roads were closed in Northumberland and Durham, including the A697 from Morpeth to its junction with the A68.

A large stretch of the A68 was closed between Corbridge and Colwell, and many problems were reported on the A69 and A1. People were advised not to drive unless absolutely necessary.

They were also warned to stay away from Newcastle city centre as the wet conditions caused accidents. Newcastle Town Moor was badly flooded and a subway complex in Cowgate was also full of water. The Metro rail service was suspended between Kingston Park and Newcastle Airport and between Benton and Shiremoor due to flooding.

Elsewhere, the River Wear was in danger of bursting its banks in places.

Lustrum Beck, Stockton, Teesside, and a campsite in Keswick, Cumbria, were also flooded.

Sporting events were also called off, including yesterday’s championship cricket match between Durham and Lancashire at Chester-le-Street.

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