'COMMUNITY' can sometimes seem like an intangible concept, an idea used more by the wealthy and powerful to score political points than it is by the very people it's supposed to refer to.

A place's real sense of community, however, tends to manifest itself not during the manic everyday rush of modern life but at times of adversity.

That was demonstrated in inspiring style in Otley during the weekend when, just as everyone was looking forward to Boxing Day, the River Wharfe burst its banks.

Of course, flooding in the town is nothing new, but the extent of Saturday's high water hell, which saw dozens of homes affected and left some in need of evacuation, was more severe than usual.

The situation was dire for folk who had just started to enjoy their Christmas break, but the response by neighbours, businesses and residents was something to behold.

Whether it was firms handing out free sandbags or offering replacement carpets, or residents co-ordinating the clean-up work or starting a fundraising appeal, there was a palpable sense of people doing whatever they could to support one another.

"Magnificent", the word used by MP Greg Mulholland to describe the communal action, sounds about right.

People from across town shook off their festive cobwebs and left the comfort of their own homes to wade through cold water and do whatever they could to help their fellow man or woman.

None of that, of course, is a magic wand that will suddenly make those soaked properties dry again, restore belongings or prevent the risk of future flooding.

But the kindness of 'strangers', as the relative of one flooded resident said this week, "made the world of difference".

And while the Ilkley area may not have suffered the levels of devastation seen in neighbouring communities, the second bout of flooding in recent weeks nevertheless has taken its toll on the population, and increased unease about the risk of further damage, as more winter storms loom.

The risk of flooding is well known to anyone who has lived in Wharfedale for any length of time, and seen the River Wharfe rise and fall, but there is now growing concern about localised issues from surface water.

Increasingly, residential streets are seeing torrents caused by rainwater washing down the road, carrying branches and other debris with it from higher ground.

Backstone Beck, which runs through residential areas of Ilkley, and has been known to spill over onto the A65 Leeds Road and into business premises, is clearly still a worry, despite various promises made and measures taken over the years to combat flooding.

A big fear is decreased work by cash-strapped Bradford Council will mean more blocked drains and a greater risk of flooding during heavy rainfall.

And given the full impact of housing developments in the past 20 years are still not fully tried and tested, there is understandable worry about the knock-on effect hundreds more new homes being built in the valley will have on surface water and flood risks.

Now is the time for planners to properly analyse what is going on, and decisions must be taken before more properties only compound the situation.