Homes are at risk of flooding, travel is disrupted and attractions have closed as rain affects the Harrogate district. Follow our live blog for Storm Babet updates.
Please send storm news from your area to [email protected]
6.10pm: RSPCA urges pet owners to keep animals safe
RSPCA water rescue teams are on standby.
RSPCA inspectorate commissioner Dermot Murphy said:
“In areas affected by flooding owners should be looking to bring small animals inside and move them upstairs, while livestock should be taken up to higher ground with enough emergency supplies for their needs. If householders do have to leave animals behind when they evacuate properties then they should keep them inside an upstairs room with plenty of food and water.
“Wild animals can also struggle in stormy weather but people can help them too. For example, they could leave some extra food out for hungry birds above ground level and perhaps even provide shelter for ground-nesting birds.”
5.48pm: Patio flooding in Killinghall
Reader Simon Beckett has sent us this photo of his patio in Killinghall, where standing water is beginning to accumulate.
If you have photos showing the impact of the storm please send them to us at [email protected]
5.18pm: Northern warns of ‘ongoing disruption’ on trains
Rail operator Northern has urged people to check here for service updates before setting off.
4.51pm: Environment Agency warns of more flood warnings
The Environment Agency has just issued a press release saying more flood warnings are expected to be issued, including in Yorkshire in the next 24 hours.
It says:
People are being urged to prepare for the risk of significant flooding for the rest of this week. The public should sign up to flood warnings and check the latest safety as heavy downpours are likely to fall on saturated ground.
Mike Dugher, Yorkshire area director at the Environment Agency, said:
“Persistent and heavy rain brought by a combination of Storm Babet and following weather systems means significant river flooding is possible across Yorkshire today and into Saturday.
“We have flood alerts and warnings in place across Yorkshire and do expect more to come into place over the next 24 hours.
“We would urge people to stay away from swollen rivers and not to drive through flood water – as just 30cm of flowing water is enough to move your car. ”
4.16pm: Don’t visit the coast, urges North Yorkshire Council
In case you were thinking of heading to Scarborough, North Yorkshire Council has issued a press release advising against it.
Marine Drive was closed today due to overlapping seawater and street furniture being blown around in high winds.
A decision has also been made to cancel this evening’s two shows at Scarborough Spa as Spa Road will be closed due to the risk of overtopping. The cliff lift is also out of action because of the high winds.
3.45pm: Plane skids off runway at Leeds Bradford Airport
Emergency services are at the scene. You can read more here.
3.05pm: Persistent rain forecast until 4am
The amber weather warning for the Harrogate district is in place until 6pm tonight but the Met Office is still forecasting rain until 4am tomorrow morning followed by more intermittent lighter rain until 11am tomorrow. The sun may make an appearance on Sunday.
2.12pm: Flood warning removed for Pannal and Burn Bridge
The Environment Agency has removed its flood warning for parts of Pannal and Burn Bridge alongside the River Crimple — also known as Crimple Beck. It was issued at 4.14am. However, a less severe flood alert remains in place in the wider River Crimple catchment area.
Five other flood alerts remain active in the Harrogate district, including this one for the Middle River Nidd catchment area.
1.16pm: Mother Shipton’s to close tomorrow
Mother Shipton’s in Knaresborough has posted on social media:
“Due to the ongoing extreme weather conditions, we have made the decision to close the attraction on Saturday, October 21.”
12.47pm: ‘Do not ignore road closed signs’, say firefighters
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service has issued a social media post urging drivers not to drive into floodwater or ignore road closed signs. You can read more here.
11.58am: Met Office upgrades local weather warning to ‘amber’.
A yellow weather warning has been in place for the Harrogate district until tomorrow morning. But the Met Office has now upgraded to a more severe amber alert from midday until 6pm today.
It said persistent heavy rain was likely to lead to some flooding and disruption.
11.22am: Power cuts in Great Ouseburn
Northern Powergrid’s live power cuts map currently shows 52 homes in Great Ouseburn and Little Ouseburn are without power. But this appears to be the only part of the Harrogate district affected right now.
10.44am: Fountains Abbey and RHS Harlow Carr closed
Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, including the deer park, are closed all day. RHS Harlow Carr announced yesterday it would close today and its autumn garden weekend had also been cancelled.
10.30am: Current flood alerts and warnings
Here is the current Environment Agency map showing flood alerts and flood warnings in the Harrogate district. You can read more about each incident here. If you live near any and can provide any updates and images email us at [email protected] and we will share the information.
10.21am: Harrogate to Leeds trains ‘returning to normal’
Rail operator Northern has posted on social media that the line between Harrogate and Leeds has reopened and services are returning to normal. The line closed due to flooding. However, Northern adds some services may still be delayed or cancelled.
10.11am: Flood alerts all along the River Nidd
The Environment Agency currently has flood alerts in place for the upper, middle and lower River Nidd. There are also alerts for the Lower River Ure at Ripon, the Lower Dunsforth Access and the River Crimple catchment. A more serious flood warning remains in place for the River Crimple at Burn Bridge and Pannal.
