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Fire service sees 141% increase in calls during Sunday’s extreme …

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service say that had to prioritise "life at risk" after seeing a 141% increase in 999 calls during extreme weather on Sunday which left roads, homes and businesses flooded across the region.

A torrential downpour on Sunday afternoon caused travel chaos on one of the busiest days of the year for the North East transport network. Flooding at Tyne Dock metro station and South Shields[1] Interchange saw Metro trains called off at 4pm, with huge queues at South Shields station and for the Shields Ferry following the Great North Run.

Roads were flooded; including the Coast Road linking Newcastle to Heaton[2], Wallsend[3] and Tynemouth; rendering parts unpassable. A hangover effect from the extreme weather was seen on Monday morning too, with three schools in Gateshead[4] closed after flooding left buildings unsafe[5] and some businesses remaining closed to clean up Sunday's damage.

The extreme weather led to staff in the TWFRS control room receiving 99 calls between 3pm and 6pm, more than double the same period in the previous Sunday, when it received 41. A chunk of their team were needed at Tyne Dock to assist Nexus staff in pumping water from the tracks and creating barriers to prevent water accessing the station.

Peter Heath, deputy chief fire officer, said the service had to prioritise "life at risk" calls. He said: "Extreme flooding like we saw on Sunday is rare and it is very difficult to prepare infrastructure to cope with the volume of rain we saw in such a short period of time.

Flooding caused by torrential downpour during the Great North Run Flooding caused by torrential downpour during the Great North Run

"The surge in calls we received in our Fire Control room meant we had to prioritise life at risk calls, and those incidents that were causing the greatest disruption to the region. Many commercial and residential properties suffered flooding, while roads and rail networks were impassable.

"We know the impact that had on the Great North Run in particular."

Queues for South Shields Metro station and the Shields Ferry still remained after 7pm last night. Peter added: "We know that this may come as little consolation to those who were caught up in the flooding but I know the actions of our staff helped keep the public safe."

References

  1. ^ South Shields (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
  2. ^ Heaton (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
  3. ^ Wallsend (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
  4. ^ Gateshead (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
  5. ^ flooding left buildings unsafe (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
  6. ^ 'Like a paddling pool inside' - Asda South Shields flooded by torrential rain forcing store to close (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)

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