On February 9th, 2020, Storm Ciara brought a month’s worth of rain in just 24 hours. The resulting devastation stretched across 10 miles of Calderdale, flooding approximately 1,200 properties.
This was a stark and devastating reminder of our vulnerability to extreme weather. Ciara was the fourth major flood event in eight years, following closely on the heels of the 2015 floods caused by Storm Eva. These repeated crises made one thing clear: long-term solutions were essential.
These events highlighted the need for long-term solutions — and Calderdale has responded.
The borough has since secured £133 million for crucial flood defence projects and are currently delivering seven major flood alleviation schemes.
Calderdale recently reaffirmed its commitment to investing in flood defences by hosting the West Yorkshire Flood Summit, bringing together local, regional, and national leaders, including Emma Hardy, Minister for Water and Flooding. At the summit, we launched the West Yorkshire Flood Pledge—a shared promise to deliver long-term investment, empower communities, and champion nature-based solutions to reduce flood risk across the region.
Flood defence isn’t just about concrete, nature is a vital partner in our strategy.
• More than 120 sites are now actively being used for Natural Flood Management (NFM) initiatives.
• New grant funding is supporting local projects designed to slow the flow of water and build long-term resilience for the future.
This extensive flood defence work is an integral part of Calderdale’s wider commitment to tackling the climate emergency. Our updated Flood Action Plan and Climate Action Plan set out the steps we are taking to protect our people, our places, and our environment for generations to come.
Photo credit: Daisy Brasington, http://www.remember-the-future.com
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