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Press Releases
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ survey highlights human cost of South Yorkshire floods
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The human cost of last summer's floods in South Yorkshire has
been highlighted by a survey of the worst-hit communities as
the first anniversary approaches.
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More than eight out of 10 of those who answered a Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔΜύYorkshire questionnaire from climate correspondent Paul Hudson said they
suffered mental or physical ill health as a result of the floods.
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More than a fifth (22%) were so traumatised they had taken
medication and one in five said they were not insured for the
damage caused to their property in the deluge of 25 June 2007.
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Thousands of people were forced to leave their homes that day as
flood waters rose in towns and villages around Barnsley,
Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield.
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Last month, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Yorkshire carried out a survey in some of the
worst-affected streets, selecting 2,000 addresses from areas
known to have requested the most aid from the South Yorkshire
Flood Disaster Relief Fund.
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Full details and results of the survey are available online at
bbc.co.uk/southyorkshire and special reports will be broadcast to
listeners and viewers all week on Look North at 6.30pm
on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ One and on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio Sheffield every morning at breakfast.
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Of the 242 people who replied, 43% had been forced out of their
homes for more than six months.
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Of those, the average time away from their homes was nine months,
but many more have yet to return to properties which are still
awaiting repair a year later.
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Almost a third (32%) of those surveyed said the strain of coping
with the aftermath of the floods had had a detrimental effect on
their family life and relationships.
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More than 80% of those who responded said their health had suffered to
some degree, either mentally or physically, and some 67% had
suffered physical ill health, including chest infections, stomach
upsets and skin complaints.
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Several families said their children had been left scared of
heavy rain.
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The survey also gives an insight into the financial toll of the
deluge, with 20% of those who responded saying they were not
insured, leaving them with hefty bills to replace damaged
possessions.
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Despite their problems, 48% of the survey respondents said they
had received a good or very good response from their insurance
companies when they submitted their flood-relate claims.
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Amid the trauma of last June's widespread flooding, the survey
reveals that a significant number of people felt the emergency
brought communities, and even families, closer together.
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One-third (33%) said the experiences of last June had had a
positive impact.
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Notes to Editors
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Please credit Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Yorkshire and let your readers know there will be
reports on Look North and on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio Sheffield.
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The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ surveyed
addresses in some of the worst affected areas of South Yorkshire
and the results pertain to them and not to all South Yorkshire flood
victims.
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The
website, bbc.co.uk/southyorkshire, explains when, where, how and why the survey was conducted, and
gives a breakdown of the answers.
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Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Leeds Press Office
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