Understanding the Growing Threat of Flooding: A Personal Perspective
Our Graduate Flood Risk Consultant, Amelia, shares her personal experience with the impact of flooding whilst living in Hebden Bridge.
If you’ve found your way to the Aegaea website, it’s likely because you’re seeking assistance with flood-related issues. In today’s climate, flooding has become an increasingly frequent and widespread concern.
I have been working in the flooding sector with Aegaea for 2 years, but I have been exposed to flooding as far back as I can remember. I grew up in the Calder Valley, which is known for its vulnerability to extreme floods, driven by a range of factors. However, when you’re caught in the midst of a flood, these details often fade into the background as the immediate concern shifts to safety.
My earliest memory of flooding is hearing the warning sirens that echo through the valley—repurposed air raid sirens, which, though an unusual noise in modern times, are effective in getting the message across. I remember feeling like I was in a movie the first time I heard them in high school when they were being tested. It was around the summer of 2012 that my awareness of the real impact of flooding began to take shape.
June/July 2012: A Devastating Flash Flood
That summer, two intense storms swept through the area, lasting only a few hours but causing severe surface water flooding. The second storm exacerbated already saturated ground, sending torrents of water over roads and flooding low-lying homes.
I remember visiting my grandparents and driving up the hill, where debris and mud had washed down from the hilltops, turning roads into rivers. Sandbags were piled at doorways in an attempt to protect anything and everything they could. Meanwhile, the clean-up had begun, with countless belongings that hadn’t survived being pulled from homes.
Image source: © Hebden Bridge Web 1995–2016, https://www.hebdenbridge.co.uk/news/2012/128.html
December 2015: Storm Desmond and Storm Eva
The floods that followed in December 2015 were even more devastating. On December 6th, Storm Desmond brought rainfall of 344.4mm within 24 hours, resulting in widespread surface water flooding. However, it was the arrival of Storm Eva on December 26th that sealed the fate for many in the Calder Valley. Already saturated ground combined with rising river levels to create catastrophic flooding.
In the middle of the night on Christmas day, my grandparents were evacuated from their home by police and came to stay with us. The rain had caused a landslide which caused a tree to fall near their house, bringing down power cables. Early on Boxing Day, the flood sirens rang through the Calder Valley as the river began to overtop its walls. By mid-morning, the river wall in Mytholmroyd collapsed, and the entire valley was submerged. Aerial views showed no distinction between rivers, roads, and canals.
My grandparents’ home was also flooded within the downstairs of their home, though not as severely as others. They stayed with us for about a fortnight as the cleanup began across the valley.
Many people lost everything. But, despite this, our community came together to help. Neighbours helped each other, and volunteers were out in force, offering support. Sadly, many care homes and residential buildings, located near the river on low-lying land, were particularly vulnerable. I have a vivid memory of elderly residents being carried to safety by people who could help.
That experience shifted my perspective. Since then, every storm—especially those with heavy rainfall or long durations—brings a sense of apprehension and a constant google tab to look at the river levels in real time.
Image source: © Hebden Bridge Web 1995–2016, https://www.hebdenbridge.co.uk/news/2015/242.html
Summer 2019
In the summer of 2019, we encountered a significant storm that brought surface water rushing down from the hills. The force of the water caused one of the older stone culverts in our fields to collapse. The stone roof of the culvert was dislodged, resulting in a blockage that diverted the water, which then broke through the ground like a spring and created a torrent flowing across the farming fields. As a result, the field became unsafe until repairs were completed. It was an unexpected disruption, but thankfully, the river did not overtop, preventing more severe flooding. Flooding can affect all aspects of life from homes to livelihoods.
February 2020
This February (2025) it’s the 5 year anniversary of Storm Ciara. I was at University in Manchester at the time but it’s the same story that caused similar scenes to the boxing day floods with the valley being engulfed by water. Intense rainfall caused the river to rise quickly and become too much for the river’s capacity.
November 2024
Most recently, we had a close call with Storm Bert adding to the snow melt causing the river to rise and the surface water was getting trapped on the road, as standard the flood sirens went off and everyone jumped into action putting defences in place the flood wardens out on patrol helping out and the fire department trying to pump the water on the main road to keep everyone safe and getting to safety. Many roads were closed due to surface water ponding but this was cleared away and fortunately was opened within a few hours as the storm tailed off. However, it did its damage in breaking a culvert in the main road that was closed for weeks disrupting travel as a community with only one main road.
Living in a high-risk area, I know which areas are most vulnerable and will be affected first. Over time you what to expect and how to prepare. When I first came into the flood industry, I thought demountable flood barriers were normally on all houses in a flood zone – they are not.
Over the years I watched my community get more prepared for these events and build resilience, the best thing you can do for flooding is be prepared in whatever capacity that entails for you. For us, we might be trapped by flooded roads or have to provide safety for others. I have never known an empty freezer and have always had a stove top kettle for the hob – a Yorkshire lass should never be without a cuppa.
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