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Report into Hull floods expected Summer flooding 'swamped drains'
(about 5 hours later)
Experts who were asked to learn why so many properties in Hull flooded in June are set to issue interim findings. Hull's drainage system was overwhelmed in June when severe flooding affected the area, a report has said.
The Independent Review Body's task was to establish the causes but also see if lessons could be learned to prevent any future repeats of the flooding. The Independent Review Body's task was to establish the causes but also to see if lessons could be learned to prevent any future floods.
Questions have been raised about the city's drainage system and whether it was properly maintained. The report also raised concerns about the city's storm drain pumps and a lack of co-operation between agencies.
Hull was among several parts of the UK to suffer when two bouts of severe flooding struck in June and July.Hull was among several parts of the UK to suffer when two bouts of severe flooding struck in June and July.
The city was hit in the June floods and saw 16,000 homes affected with two-thirds of those evacuated. The city was hit in the June floods and saw 16,000 homes affected, with two-thirds of those evacuated.
Increased vulnerability
The interim report, written by senior staff at the University of Hull, looks at the geological reasons for the floods in the city, but also has a critical analysis of the co-operation between the Environment Agency, the city council, and other bodies in the immediate aftermath.
The team of experts said the magnitude of the storm was greater than one in every 150 years.
Hull's low lying position increased its vulnerability to flooding and the report said there should be additional levels of protection above and beyond a 1-in-30 year storm.
Blocked gullies did not appear to have been a major factor in the general flooding, although there were no contingency plans for the failure of the Bransholme pumping station or appropriate protection from flood waters, it found.
'Humanitarian disaster''Humanitarian disaster'
The interim report is expected to focus on the geological reasons for the floods in the city, but will also analyse the work of the Environment Agency, the city council, and other bodies in the immediate aftermath. The authors said no one organisation was to blame for the problems, but it was critical of the lack of co-operation between the different agencies during the aftermath of the floods.
Part of the body's remit is to examine "which factors exacerbated the flooding in certain areas of Hull, and how these affected the scale of damage and disruption". More in-depth research and analysis will be undertaken by the group to come up with recommendations on the ways flood prevention and response can be improved.
The interim report uses evidence from the key agencies involved in predicting, preventing and responding to the floods.
The body is to undertake more in-depth research and analysis to come up with recommendations on the ways flood prevention and response can be improved.
A final, more comprehensive, analysis is expected in November.A final, more comprehensive, analysis is expected in November.
Hull City Council said at the time of the flooding the city was the victim of a "humanitarian disaster".Hull City Council said at the time of the flooding the city was the victim of a "humanitarian disaster".
It earmarked some £18m for repairs to the affected homes.It earmarked some £18m for repairs to the affected homes.
The interim report will be available online at www.hull.ac.uk/geog on Friday.