A report on the impact of flooding in County Durham will be considered by councillors next week.
Members of Durham County Council’s Cabinet will also hear how efforts to protect against the risk of flooding in the county are progressing.
Unprecedented rainfall in 2012, which resulted in flooding across the county, brought with it severe disruption and significant financial cost.
Records show that in the nine months between April and December 2012 as much rain fell as there had been during the previous 19 months from September 2010.
Further heavy rain in May this year, when the ground was still slowly drying out from the previous significant rainfall, caused further damage – including the collapse of a bridge at Wolsingham which threatened to cut off a community and people staying at a nearby caravan site.
As part of the subsequent clean-up operations the county council carried out work to clear drains, repair roads and bridges and provide support to vulnerable residents affected by the flooding.
A number of flood prevention schemes, involving the county council and its key partners, exist in County Durham and bids for funding for additional work have been submitted to the Environment Agency.
Cllr Brian Stephens, Cabinet member for neighbourhoods and partnerships at Durham County Council, said: “We’ve seen exceptional rainfall in recent months and this has presented a number of challenges.
“The county council and its partners have worked hard to respond to these incidents and manage flooding related issues.
“While it is not possible to completely eliminate the chances of flooding occurring we continue to work towards minimising the risk and impact of future incidents.”
Cabinet members will be asked to note the update on the flooding events and the progress in developing existing and potential flood prevention schemes.
Cabinet will meet at County Hall next Wednesday (September 18).
