SIX months on, and the rest of the world has all but forgotten the North Yorkshire floods. But for the victims, the misery did not end when the waters subsided.

Families across the region, forced out of their homes by the floods, are still living in cramped caravans. It may be months before they can move back in.

Once-thriving streets stand empty and forlorn. Communities have been fragmented. Property prices are down.

Traders whose properties and stock were ruined are still counting the cost.

Buildings can be repaired of course. But the greatest harm inflicted by the floods is invisible, and far harder to fix. It is the damage caused to victims' peace of mind.

As their homes are slowly renovated, householders will find it impossible to shrug off one nagging anxiety. What if it happens again?

We have been told the conditions that caused last year's floods are unlikely to be repeated for many years. But such assurances wear particularly thin for those Ryedale residents hit twice in 18 months by "once-in-a-lifetime" floods.

More flooding is predicted as a result of global warming. Practically every month, we are warned that our rivers could soon break their banks again because the ground is saturated and the rain keeps falling.

The constant worry of a repeat of autumn 2000 is the lasting legacy of the floods. That can only be alleviated by the building of new defences.

After an unfortunate wrangle over money, the Yorkshire Regional Flood Defence Committee decided in February to fast-track new defences for Ryedale and Stamford Bridge. That could still leave them vulnerable to flooding for two more winters.

Other areas, including Rawcliffe, do not even have this comfort. It must be hoped that Government minister Elliot Morley acts upon residents' concerns after meeting them today.

The floods have gone away - for now. But victims will live in fear of their return until robust, permanent defences are in place.

Must do better

YORK City have retained their league status, with two games to spare. This is an escape worth celebrating.

Earlier in the season, when City were rooted to the bottom of Division Three, the future looked black.

Scarborough's struggle since they plummeted out of the Football League demonstrated the unhappy fate that awaited the Minstermen.

By putting together an impressive run of results, City have hung on. Every effort should be made to retain this newly-acquired confidence and build on it. The club must aspire to more than scrapping for survival next season.

Updated: 11:26 Monday, April 30, 2001