Tim Stoddard, the leader of Cumbria County Council has today made the following statement regarding the weekend flooding and storm damage across. The staement was made at a meeting of the council's Cabinet this morning includes details of a significant contribution to the Public Appeal fund and details of a new 24 hour local council help and advice which goes live at lunchtime today.
"Although it is too soon to assess the full impact of the storms and associated flooding that occurred last weekend, much of Cumbria has suffered a major disaster, with Carlisle bearing the brunt of the damage. The Environment Agency says Carlisle is suffering the worst floods since the 1820s.
But there is significant damage also in Eden, especially in Appleby, in Allerdale affecting Wigton, Cockermouth and Keswick and in many other smaller communities and in many parts of the county, as well. Whilst Copeland did not encounter the floods, it has sustained considerable wind damage which will take several weeks to clear up.
It is thought around a third of South Lakeland's council homes have been damaged in some way by the storms. And the Forestry Commission says Cumbria's commercial woodlands have suffered significant damage. And there is considerable damage to many roads throughout the county.
At one stage, over 80,000 people were without power. And even now - three days later - there are still over 5000 without electricity across the county.
No doubt the full extent of the damage to private homes, to businesses, to community facilities, to schools, and to the infrastructure and the associated costs of cleaning up, and of repair and restoration, will become increasingly apparent in due course. It is quite clear, however, even at this stage, that the final costs will run into many millions of pounds.
Elliot Morley, the government Minister with special responsibility for flooding, has promised emergency funding for Cumbria. And, of course, we shall be processing a claim under the Bellwin scheme, in due course.
This physical damage, however, can be repaired or replaced; the debris can be and will be swept away.
What cannot be swept away is the enormous psychological, emotional and, indeed, physical distress and trauma which have been inflicted on so many Cumbrian people.
It is a great tragedy that several people have died and scores have been injured. Many people have lost all that they possessed and the effects of the flooding will cause significant financial hardship. Hundreds are homeless, and it will be months before any semblance of normality returns for some families. Our hearts go out to all of those affected, and I know that this Council and all District Councils are determined to do all that they can to help.
On Saturday, gusts of up to 90mph were recorded, several inches of rain swamped parts of the country and flood waters rose higher and higher, all of which led to travel chaos, uprooted trees, abandoned cars, overturned lorries and, worst of all, hundreds of people trapped in their homes.
And in this regard, I would like to pay a particular tribute to the prompt action and sterling work of the various Emergency Services, to United Utilities, to the hundreds of volunteers, and to our own staff all of whom, in these ferocious conditions, turned out and gave unstintingly of their time, efforts and determination to help so many others. I know that all the people involved worked long and generous hours
Many have commented on the community spirit which prevailed and I will not, therefore, comment again, except to say that it was both apparent and abundant. Of particular help in this regard was the constant updating of events and the help and advice provided by Radio Cumbria and CFM. This was an occasion when local radio really came into its own.
The county council’s Emergency Control Centre has been operational since Friday evening. First thing Monday morning I met with the Chief Executive and other senior officers to assess the situation and to plan appropriate action. We also met with senior staff from Carlisle City, Allerdale, and Copeland councils to plan and organise a Cumbria-wide approach to the disaster. We have, of course, been in contact with the police and with the Environment Agency.
We are determined that disruption to county council services will be minimal and, to this end, we shall meet frequently to monitor the situation. I would also appeal to all staff and Councillors to keep the Council informed of the situation wherever they have a responsibility in Cumbria.
I have already paid tribute to the local radio stations. Many other people, emergency and voluntary organisations also manned telephone lines; indeed, not unnaturally, some services were quite swamped with calls.
It is abundantly clear that getting information out to those affected, providing help and advice, and responding to people’s anxieties are early imperatives in a disaster of this magnitude. Operating in partnership with our District Council colleagues to ensure that normal services are not disrupted, we have had an extra 20 telephone lines installed, and additional staff will be manning a special 24 hour help and advice line which will go live at lunchtime today.
It is important to stress that this is not an emergency number but a help and advice line; its number is 0845 6096609.
One piece of advice I can give is that we have had some concerns expressed that the Carlisle water supply may be contaminated. We have had an assurance from United Utilities that that is not so. Treatment works are operating normally using emergency generators where necessary
Finally, let me return to the financial burden that many will be facing.
An appeal been launched to raise money for people and communities affected by the Cumbrian floods. The Appeal is being organised by the Cumbria Community Foundation, which hopes to raise at least £500,000. It has already contributed £50K of its own funds. The fund will focus on providing money for individuals and families experiencing financial hardship but the appeal will also be raising money for voluntary and community organisations that are spear-heading the relief work, and anyone who wants to apply for funds can do so from January 17.
Cumbria Community Foundation raised over £2m for those affected by the Foot and Mouth disaster in the county. It has the experience to organise the appeal work and to ensure that funding gets to those who need it most. I have agreed with all political parties on the county council that this council, will also donate £50,000."