Ten years since disastrous floods hit Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

Record June rainfall totals were recorded ten years ago this weekend which resulted in widespread flooding and disruption across the region.So how much rainfall was there?In excess of 150 mm of rain fell widely with over 250 mm locally. This represents over three times the average June rainfall over much of Lincolnshire, Yorkshire and the north Midlands, and over four times the June average in places, as can be seen in the June 2007 per cent of average map below.

The estimated average frequency of occurrence (return period) of these high totals is over 200 years.

Hull recorded 256.3mm of rain which is 497% of the 1961-90 average

Sheffield recorded 285.6mm of rain which is 463% of the 1961-90 average

Bradford recorded 261.4mm of rain which is 411% of the 1961-90 average

Many weather stations in Lincolnshire and Yorkshire had their wettest June on record. Some places also had their wettest any month on record, including the following long-running stations in Hull, Bradford and Sheffield.

The heavy and prolonged rainfall was caused by a slow moving area of low pressure and associated frontal system.

The problem was exacerbated by the ground around the worst-hit areas becoming saturated by very heavy rain in the preceding days and weeks.

What were the impacts?:

Tragically, five people died.

Surface water flooding in Hull.

Widespread disruption and damage to more than 7,000 houses and 1,300 businesses in Hull.

River Don burst its banks, flooding Sheffield and Doncaster.

Flooding in Derbyshire and Lincolnshire.

There were fears that the dam wall at the Ulley Reservoir near Rotherham would burst resulting in the prolonged closure of the M1