Leeds Marks 10 Years Since Boxing Day Floods

Reflecting on the Impact and Flood Defence Progress

Today marks the tenth anniversary of the Boxing Day floods in Leeds, a significant event when Storm Eva caused severe flooding across the city in 2015. This 1-in-200-year flood event led to widespread damage, affecting thousands of residents and businesses. Since then, Leeds City Council and its partners have completed extensive flood alleviation works aimed at reducing the risk of similar incidents in the future.

The 2015 Floods: Scale and Impact

Storm Eva brought unprecedented rainfall, causing the River Aire to reach a record level of 5.2 metres. Normally flowing at 15 tonnes per second, the river surged to 360 tonnes per second. Alongside the River Aire, the River Wharfe and the Aire and Calder Navigation were overwhelmed, resulting in flooding across fourteen wards.

• Over 2,600 homes were flooded.
• More than 650 businesses experienced damage.
• Key infrastructure, including power substations, communications systems, and transport networks, was affected.

The direct financial cost to Leeds was estimated at £36.8 million, with wider regional cleanup costs exceeding £500 million. Beyond monetary losses, the floods had lasting effects on the physical and mental wellbeing of those impacted.

Community Response and Recovery

Following the floods, recovery efforts began promptly. More than 1,000 volunteers assisted in cleanup operations, demonstrating strong community solidarity. Infrastructure repairs and damage assessments were prioritised to restore normality.

Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme

In response to the floods, Leeds City Council, in partnership with the Environment Agency and West Yorkshire Combined Authority, developed one of the UK’s largest flood defence projects. The £200 million Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme (FAS) aims to protect 4,000 homes, 1,000 businesses, and 33,000 jobs to a 1-in-200-year flood standard.

Phase 1 (Completed 2017)

• Protects the city centre from Leeds Station to Woodlesford.
• Involved merging the River Aire and canal at Knostrop Cut.
• Construction of new walls and embankments that maintain waterfront access.
• Installation of two innovative movable weirs at Knostrop and Crown Point, the first of their kind in the UK, which can be lowered independently to increase channel capacity temporarily.

Phase 2 (Completed 2024)

• Extends protection from Leeds Station to Apperley Bridge in Bradford.
• Includes several miles of linear flood defences and new pumping stations.
• Features a large flood storage area near Calverley with a 200-metre embankment and 6.2-metre height, capable of holding water equivalent to over 720 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

A dedicated team of council flood engineers now operate and maintain the defences 24/7 throughout the year.

Additional Flood Alleviation Projects

Beyond the main scheme, smaller projects have been completed across Leeds, including in Garforth, Wyke Beck, Mickletown Pit Lane, Otley, and Sheepscar. Future projects are planned for Meanwood Beck, Thorner Beck, Millshaw Beck, and Wortley Beck.

Natural Flood Management Initiatives

The Aire Resilience Company, a community interest company, has been established to support natural flood management. This includes planting up to 750,000 trees and managing 1,240 hectares of land in the upper River Aire catchment to slow water flow and complement hard infrastructure.

Official Comments

Leeds City Council Leader Councillor James Lewis reflected on the progress made, noting the importance of protecting residents and businesses from future flooding while supporting economic growth and environmental sustainability. He acknowledged that while flooding cannot be entirely prevented, the city is now better prepared for extreme weather events.

West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin highlighted the strength shown by communities during the 2015 floods and emphasised ongoing investment to reduce flood risks for future generations.

Preparing for Flood Risk

Residents are encouraged to prepare for potential flooding by:

• Checking long-term flood risk through available online services.
• Signing up for flood warnings via phone, text, or email.
• Taking practical steps such as storing important documents securely, moving valuables upstairs, and preparing a flood kit.

For more information on flood risk and preparedness, local residents can consult relevant council and environment agency resources.