THIS week we are taking a look back at when Tynedale was hit by Storm Desmond in December 2015.

Hexham Courant: Flooding 2015Flooding 2015 (Image: Newsquest)

Drone footage in 2015 following Storm Desmond showed fields along the swollen Tyne river resembling lakes.

Hexham Courant: Flooding Corbridge 2015Flooding Corbridge 2015 (Image: Newsquest)

Four inches of rain fell across the district in just three days, increasing the height of the already swollen Tyne to levels exceeded only by the Great Flood of 1771, topping 19 feet at Corbridge and 23 feet at Bywell.

Hexham Courant: Drone footage 2015Drone footage 2015 (Image: Northumberland County Council)

Hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of damage was caused as 18 hours of incessant heavy rain caused the raging River Tyne to burst its banks in numerous places.

Hexham Courant: Deputy chief fire officer, Paul Hedley is pictured in Corbridge with county council leader, Grant Davey, and the council’s business chairman, Scott DickinsonDeputy chief fire officer, Paul Hedley is pictured in Corbridge with county council leader, Grant Davey, and the council’s business chairman, Scott Dickinson (Image: Newsquest)

Few parts of the district were spared the fury of Storm Desmond, which struck with such power that both the A69 trunk road and the Tyne Valley railway line were closed.

Hexham Courant: The River Tyne rages past Bywell Hall, near StocksfieldThe River Tyne rages past Bywell Hall, near Stocksfield (Image: Newsquest)

People were evacuated from their homes in several places, including Corbridge, Haydon Bridge, Warden and Bellingham.

Hexham Courant: Low Prudhoe Industrial Estate was submerged when the River Tyne broke its banksLow Prudhoe Industrial Estate was submerged when the River Tyne broke its banks (Image: John Robson)

Householders were left heartbroken in Corbridge as brand new £1.2m flood defences proved ineffectual against the forces of nature, and for the second time in 10 years, houses were flooded to a depth of several feet.

Hexham Courant: Deputy Leader Dave Ledger and Ray Wealleans, area neighbourhood services manager, survey the wreckage at Ovingham BridgeDeputy Leader Dave Ledger and Ray Wealleans, area neighbourhood services manager, survey the wreckage at Ovingham Bridge (Image: Newsquest)

Leader, Cllr Grant Davey, deputy leader, Cllr Dave Ledger, and business chairman, Cllr Scott Dickinson visited the area where they viewed the impact of Storm Desmond and met local residents.

Hexham Courant: Chalets at Ferry Landing in Ovington were destroyed by the force of the flood waterChalets at Ferry Landing in Ovington were destroyed by the force of the flood water (Image: Newsquest)

They were taken on the tour of damage in Ovingham and Corbridge by deputy chief fire officer, Paul Hedley, and area neighbourhood services manager, Ray Wealleans, who briefed the politicians about the flooding, rescue and subsequent community clean-up operations.