Floods in Chester-le-Street

Nov 1771.— The Great Flood The water at Chester-le-Street extended near 200 yards from North to South, in the street, and did considerable damage to dwelling houses and shops there. The mill and most of the mill houses and furniture near Cocken were carried away. The collieries at North Biddick, Chater's Haugh and Low Lambton on the Wear, were filled with water and upwards of thirty horses in several workings were drowned. 1789— The Wear was more swollen than at any time since the Great Flood of 1771. In the vicinity of Chester-le-Street all the lowlands contiguous to the river were over-flown, and much damage done to the corn, grass and other lands, by it and the rivulets in the neighbourhood. The iron forge-mill, belonging to Messrs. Hawks & Co. situate on a small rivulet at Braken Hill near Chester-le-Street was entirely swept away by the rapidity of the flood: the damage was computed to be upwards of £800. A skin mill adjoining the forge was at the same time swept away: also a new bridge lately built by the Earl of Scarborough across the same rivulet, near Lumley Castle. The inhabitants of the lower part of the town of Chester-le-Street, were thrown into great consternation. Several of the houses were flooded to a great height and the passage of the bridge was stopped for some time. Feb 1822— A most tempestuous wind with heavy rain blew from the south west causing considerable flooding in the rivers Tyne, Wear and Tees. In Chester-le-Street the Wear was so swollen that it extended above the arch of the new bridge which is more than a quarter of a mile from the channel of the river. March 1979 — Flooding affected the lower part of Chester-le-Street in the March of 1979 causing much disruption to traffic and pedestrians. This Sunderland Echo photo shows ladies being rescued and carried to safety.

2001 — The photograph shown below was taken in 2001, which shows that flooding can still occur in the Chester-le-Street area under adverse weather conditions. This was when the river had overflowed and had flooded the Riverside Park due to prolonged heavy rainfall. Photo taken of Riverside Park looking towards the childrens playground area, which was completely submerged.

Another photo of the Riverside Park showing extended flooding had taken place.