Our rivers and our mix of uplands and lowlands make South Yorkshire’s landscapes unique. But they also mean that many of our communities are vulnerable to flooding.
Read on to discover the role our landscape and climate change play in flood risk. Find out about the types of flooding that affect our communities and the impact they have. And explore our timeline of major local flood events in recent years.
To be effective in managing flood risk, we have to look at the whole area of land around our bodies of water. For us, that mainly means the River Don, River Rother and River Dearne, along with their tributaries and smaller watercourses. Together, this area is what’s called our water catchment. It covers South Yorkshire and extends out into Derbyshire.
Bentley Flood Corridor, River Don – Credit: Environment Agency
A catchment is the area of land where water collects when it rains. Water runs off our hills and moorlands and other high points and moves down to low points such as rivers.
River flooding of road in Doncaster in 2024 – Credit: City of Doncaster Council
Catchments are complex. Natural features, rainfall and drainage in one area can have a big impact on how water moves through another area. That’s why it’s crucial for us to approach the catchment as a whole when it comes to flooding.
We’re here to coordinate activities between the many organisations and people who manage our land and water. Discover the ways water connects us and how we’re combining efforts to reduce the risks and impacts of flooding in our animation.
Flooding in Rotherham in 2019 – Credit: Ryan Shepherd
Surface Water flooding in Barnsley in 2023 – Credit: Josh Rogan
Flooding can come from our rivers, canals, sewers and surface water at times of heavy rainfall and drain blockages. Here’s our overview of the different kinds of flooding that affect us in South Yorkshire.
River (fluvial) flooding
Intense or sustained rainfall can lead any of our rivers or watercourses to exceed their capacity and breach their banks.
Surface water (pluvial) flooding
When the volume of rainfall is greater than the capacity of our drains and sewers, water isn’t able to drain away or soak into the land. Instead, it flows over the land. It often intensifies due to blocked road gullies, drains and sewers.
Sewer flooding
Sewers can become overwhelmed during heavy rain or damaged by misuse, such as flushing unsuitable items like wet wipes down the toilet. The resulting overflow of waste water contains bacteria and contaminants, posing a hazard to health in residential areas.
Flash flooding
Flash flooding can be very sudden and very dangerous. A lot of heavy rainfall in a short period of time can create deep, fast-moving water both near watercourses and away from them. This unpredictable flooding can injure or kill people and damage buildings.
Canal flooding
Canal flooding is rare. Even with controls in place, though, water levels can at times become too high and overtop.
Tidal flooding
Despite being far inland, tidal flooding can still happen in South Yorkshire. Tidal conditions or wave and spray overtopping can lead to flooding around Doncaster where the lower Don is tidal.
Different organisations are responsible for different types of flooding. Find out who best to contact.
Our region has a long history of flooding. In the last two decades, three major floods have devastated South Yorkshire. Scroll down through our timeline to discover the causes and the impacts of these events.
Our region’s wettest June since 1882.
The ground was already saturated with water and rivers and reservoirs full when more heavy rainfall hit towards the end of the month.
Tragically two people in Sheffield lost their lives.
of average June rainfall fell
in 48 hours in some locations
Affected 6,000 homes and businesses
people lost power
motorway closed for 3 days
The wettest autumn on record.
For two months, rainfall was at more than twice the monthly average.
Persistent heavy rain over the middle reaches of the River Don led river levels to equal or exceed what they were during the 2007 flood. It had widespread impacts across South Yorkshire, particularly in Doncaster.
of average November rainfall fell over 7–8 November
homes and businesses affected
cubic metres of water passed through the gauging station
additional mobile pumps in operation during incident
Storm Babet hit much of northern and western Europe. It caused flooding in South Yorkshire over the weekend of 20–22 October.
The flood significantly disrupted homes, businesses, highways, public transport and other infrastructure. Catcliffe in Rotherham and Chesterfield in Derbyshire were particularly affected.
Tragically one person in Chesterfield lost their life.
of monthly average rainfall over 4 days in some areas
properties issued with
flood alerts and warnings
homes and businesses affected
media enquiries received by Environment Agency during the incident
No two floods are the same. Their impacts depend on a range of factors – like the time of year, duration of rainfall, ground conditions, and level of preparation. But every flood can have far-reaching consequences.
For every person whose home floods, the Environment Agency estimates that over 16 more will experience adverse impacts.
Flooding can cause serious injury and loss of life. It leads to long-term misery, affecting mental health and wellbeing. It disrupts businesses, transport infrastructure, utilities, schools, workplaces and healthcare. And it can impact food and farming on our agricultural land.
Flood risk also limits economic regeneration. It stops developers from building new housing and causes businesses to close, leading to job losses.
Surface Water flooding in Doncaster in 2024 – Credit: City of Doncaster Council
Due to climate change, the UK expects to experience hotter, drier summers and warmer, wetter winters. We’re already seeing an increasing intensity of summer and autumn rainfall and flood events.
Sea levels around the UK are set to continue to rise. Based on planning for the worst case, if temperatures in Yorkshire increase by 4°C we expect the sea level to rise by 0.53–1.15 metres by the year 2100. As a result, flows will increase on tidal rivers like the Lower Don.
With projected rises in rainfall and sea levels, flooding in South Yorkshire will become more frequent and severe in the future. It’s crucial, then, that we all put effort in to reduce the risks of flooding where possible and prepare for when it does take place.
We’re working on a programme of nature-based solutions to help our natural landscapes become more resilient. Find out more about how we’re working to reduce the risk of flooding.
Flooding in Endcliffe Park, Sheffield in 2023 – Credit: Friends of Porter Valley