Doncaster flood alert: Residents' homes remain dry as time of peak level passes, but concerns remain

Anxious Doncaster residents have been keeping a close eye on the River Don today – but as the river peaked this morning, homes remained dry.
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Experts were predicting the flow would peak at 10am, and so far, areas vulnerable to recent flooding have remained clear. There is a high tide this evening.

Craig Wingford, of Yarborough Terrace, Bentley, flooded in 2019 and 2007, said it had been an anxious night. He looked at the river level last night and water was touching the first bank. But this morning it had been close to the top.

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"This morning it was pretty much at the top of the second bank,” he said.

A resident on Frank Road Bentley, stacks Sandbags outside a property. Picture: NDFP-19-01-21-FloodAlert Bentley 2-NMSYA resident on Frank Road Bentley, stacks Sandbags outside a property. Picture: NDFP-19-01-21-FloodAlert Bentley 2-NMSY
A resident on Frank Road Bentley, stacks Sandbags outside a property. Picture: NDFP-19-01-21-FloodAlert Bentley 2-NMSY

"We’re still worried. We were up until 1am moving things upstairs.”

Wendy Tomlinson, of Ings Road, was relieved. She said: “We were told 10am was the danger point. I had more sandbags picked up yesterday in preparation in case of the worst.”

Stuart Badham, a resident and warden at Willow Bridge caravan park, just outside Bentley and near the river, was relieved to see 10am pass with, by his estimate, the water still 2m from the top.

But he added: “A lot of people have been very worried.”

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In Fishlake, residents said Thorne Bridge and Kirk Bramwith Bridge had both been closed, and there had been talk of closing Stainforth Bridge.

She said: “The water has held although it has come over onto farmland areas near Kirk Bramwith, but that’s what it’s designed to do.

"There has been masses of anxiety through the night. People have been up and going down to look at the river levels.

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"There will be a collective sigh of relief this morning. But we can’t keep everyone living on this knife edge.

“It’s not just Fishlake, its other places too.

"I’ve spoken to Dan Jarvis. Sheffield City Region has put money aside with the suggestion of matched funding from the Government for flood defence.

"It’s time to spend that money.”

She said the council had been much better prepared than in the past, with sandbags, and offers to vulnerable people to evacuate them to hotel rooms.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.

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