Sheffield should escape flooding despite torrential rain forecast, says council chief

The Met Office has issued an Amber weather warning for South Yorkshire with the rain expected from midnight tonight.

Melted snow has swollen rivers and hill tops are already saturated so the council is concerned about the deluge but says if the weather front stays on track, Sheffield should remain clear of major flooding.

The council is concerned about the Covid immunisation centre at Meadowhall though as that area historically floods.

The centre, in Meadowhall’s overspill car park, will remain open unless there is a risk to public safety.

Coun Mark Jones, Cabinet member for environment, said: “Rain should hit the west facing slopes around the Ecclesfield area. We are keeping an eye on Blackburn, Ecclesfield and Whitley brookes and also culverts.

“The worst rain is likely to hit the south of the River Don catchment so while Sheffield will get rain, any flooding is likely to affect our neighbours in Rotherham and Doncaster.”

Coun Jones said the council could only make accurate predictions based on the current storm front – it could move position over the next few hours but it was very hard to tell that in advance.

He added: “We have Amey crews on standby for any emerging problems. We are in a lockdown and this is another good reason to stay at home as we don’t want anyone taking risks on the roads in heavy rain.”

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