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Floods clean-up operation begins in North East England

by Dave Keating | September 8, 2008 at 01:50 am | 223 views | 3 comments | 5 recommendations

After the worst flooding to his Northumberland in 50 years, a massive cleanup effort has begun in North England.

More than 1,000 properties were affected, with Morpeth being hardest hit as about 400 people were moved to safety. No-one was seriously hurt.

Council officials say it will be months before everyone affected will be allowed back into their homes.

Floods recovery minister John Healey was due to meet residents in Morpeth and emergency services staff on Monday.

Water levels were subsiding on Monday, but forecasts for more rain on Tuesday could see the River Wansbeck burst its banks again.

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mattj

at 02:24 on September 8th, 2008

The Chinese State Circus, currently situated on Newcastle's Town Moor, was cancelled on Saturday due to the flooding.

The flood water had subsided by Sunday morning, and the circus is now open again.

mattj has contributed a photo to this story.

liamssoft

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 08:36 on September 8th, 2008

Dave Keating, I like this story. It's good stuff. Perhaps the councils will now start cleaning out the drains and help protect the community from flooding.

James Trickey

at 11:26 on September 8th, 2008

Thanks for inviting my pictures - just to clarify, I took them of the flooded River Severn in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire so not NE England. The flooding was not nearly as badly as last year though fortunately.

James Trickey has contributed a photo to this story.