New Year washout looms for villagers

Half of Burton Fleming has been underwater since Christmas Eve, but round-the-clock efforts by the emergency services and others has not significantly reduced water levels. Some residents are battling day and night to keep the water from the swollen Gypsey Race water course from entering their properties.

Parish councillor Keith Wells said there had been discussions about releasing water out of the village more quickly – but that could mean flooding in Rudston three miles downstream: “I would say it has dropped an inch in the last 12 hours, mainly down to work clearing out debris from the Gypsey Race. Instead of being 12 inches (deep) it’s 11.

“There’s about 20 homes that are affected to one degree or another – with water in or carpets starting to go soggy.

“Some people are trying desperately to keep it out by making a hole in their floor so they can put a pump in. This is not rainwater flowing off the surface it is groundwater that is coming up through the springs.”

He said East Riding Council, though slow to start with, were working well with the fire service, which has been operating a high-volume pump in the village and the