Floods like the ones we saw in 2007 and 2009 claim lives and ruin homes and businesses, causing devastation that can affect victims for years afterwards.
However, the city’s major flooding disaster took place on the night of March 11, 1864 when Dale Dyke Dam broke, sending a wall of water through the Loxley and Don Valleys and on towards the city centre and as far as Rotherham. Around 240 people died and hundreds of buildings were destroyed.
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. Waters rising
The flooded Nursery Street in Sheffield city centre on June 26, 2007 Photo: Roger Nadal
5. Damage under repair
Pat Wilson and Eddy Munnelly at the Gardeners Rest pub in Neepsend, which was still closed after the June floods in December 2007 Photo: Roger Nadal
6. Helping hands
Memories return of 2007 as heavy rains cause more flooding in Sheffield in June 2009. Two houses on Ecclesfield Common were threatened by flood waters from overflowing streams as police officers battled against the waters with buckets and hand shovels Photo: Paul David Drabble
7. Great Sheffield Flood
Damage at Rowell Bridge Wheel, Loxley, Sheffield, following the Great Sheffield Flood in March 1864. This sort of scene was repeated for mile after mile Photo: www.picturesheffield.com
8. Devastated lives
Another view of the terrible damage caused by the Sheffield Flood in March 1864 Photo: Peter Tuffrey