Flooding is causing major problems in the Harrogate district today. Many roads are treacherous and police are urging motorists to think carefully before setting off.
Here are some of the main stories so far today:
- A rest centre may be set up tonight in Knaresborough for flood evacuees.
- Pateley Bridge High Street was flooded first thing this morning but has cleared.
- Residents in Pateley have been battling to get hold of sandbags to protect their properties.
- The water gardens at Fountains Abbey near Ripon have been 'totally devastated' by floods.
- Travel conditions are hazardous — police are urging motorists not to risk driving through flooded streets.
Follow our live blog for updates and send details of what's happening in Harrogate, Ripon, Knaresborough, Pateley Bridge, Masham and all points in between by emailing contact@thestrayferret.co.uk or send us a message on Facebook.
9.52pm: Rooms available in Knaresborough for genuine flood victims
There have been some wonderful acts of kindness today towards strangers.
Denise Carter, who runs Newton House guest house on York Place, has just got in touch to say she has two empty double rooms available free tonight for genuine flood victims.
The guest house is already putting up three people from Nidderdale Lodge Park. Contact Denise on 01423863539
9.47pm: Boroughbridge road predicted to flood overnight
https://twitter.com/HBCPrepared/status/1495513409785376773
9.21pm: A658 south of Huby closed
Harrogate traffic constable David Minto has just tweeted a traffic update. We understand several cars have broken down after encountering the pot hole and are awaiting recovery.
https://twitter.com/TC174_NYP/status/1495508329787006978
9.18pm: Storm Franklin bringing high winds tonight
Winds of up to 51mph are expected overnight as Storm Franklin continues the wild weather in the Harrogate district.
A yellow weather warning for wind is in place until 1pm tomorrow.
https://twitter.com/metoffice/status/1495507400429813770
8.57pm: River Ure at Boroughbridge close to record high
The Ure has also shot up today to near-record levels, as this graph shows.
According to the River Levels website, it was at 14.4 metres at 8.15pm tonight. The record is 15.79m, reached on September 26, 2012.
8.34pm: Video shows flooding in Pateley Bridge
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwHDSOW79P4
8.19pm: Dramatic video shows Cattal flooding
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpKT9h9FKTs
8.10pm: River Nidd at Knaresborough near record level
This graph shows how rapidly the water level has increased today. The latest reading, at 7.30pm this evening, of 2.1m is only just below the highest ever, which was recorded on December 26, 2015 at 2.33m.
A typical level is between 0.43m and 0.63m.
However,
the site says the river level is falling — it is 0.012m down on the reading 15 mins earlier.
7.41pm: 36 bus misses stops
https://twitter.com/harrogatebus/status/1495482851747414022
7.30pm: Leathley road 'only passable by 4x4'
https://twitter.com/NorthYorksFire/status/1495479088945012752
7.28pm: A61 at Harewood Bridge closed
https://twitter.com/NorthYorksFire/status/1495479379161407499
7.01pm: Ripon's River Ure bursts banks
Thanks to reader Paul Smith, who has sent us these cracking photos of the Ure bridge at North Road in Ripon, which he took at 5pm today.
6.21pm: Busy day for firefighters in Nidderdale
Today's
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service incident log is unusually long. It reveals the key role firefighters have played in the flood effort today. Call-outs include:
10:28 Mill Lane, Spofforth. Crews assisted with flood water in basement of property. Crew pumped water out of a basement using two light portable pumps.
14:49 Summerbridge. Crews assisted with diverting flood water away from residential properties. Small tools and sandbags used.
14:51 King Street, Pateley Bridge. Crews assisted several domestic properties with flood water. Crews pumping out.
15:25 Dacre Banks. Crews assisted homeowners in the area that had been affected by flood water. Crews used light portable pumps to alleviate water levels.
15:38 Low Wath Road, Pateley Bridge. Crews responded to a property that had water ingress affecting their electrics. Crews used a light portable pump to remove water from property.
15:40 Knaresborough. Crews assisted several residents to evacuate due to high levels of flood water. Crews used water rescue equipment
6.15pm: Naturist club reports damage
https://twitter.com/ValleyClubHgate/status/1495458782817787907
6.12pm: Video shows dire state of A61 at Harewood bridge.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKGdhMQdlns
6.07pm: Will rest centre for evacuees in Knaresborough be set up?
The
Ready for Anything service, which is a group of volunteers co-ordinated by North Yorkshire County Council, is reporting on social media that Chain Lane community centre and the town hall are being considered as possible sites for a rest centre for flood evacuees.
The message adds Pateley Bridge and Boroughbridge are also being 'closely watched'.
6pm: Pets rescued from Knaresborough caravan park
We reported earlier that firefighters were rescuing some residents. It seems they've gone back for the pets!
https://twitter.com/russjenks999/status/1495451705231790082
5.56pm: Avoid A61 between Harewood and Pannal
We are receiving reports the road is totally flooded and should be closed.
5.02pm: Firefighters rescue residents in Knaresborough
https://twitter.com/NorthYorksFire/status/1495440197638623238
4.53pm: Knaresborough street flooded
Thanks to Michael White for this photo of Rowan Close in Knaresborough, which he says floods frequently due to heavy rain and blocked gutters.
4.45pm: Latest flood alerts and warnings
There appear to be 17 flood alerts and flood warnings active in the Harrogate district. Eleven are along the River Nidd.
4.41pm: Firefighters called to Pateley Bridge
Kevin Wood has sent us this photo from Pateley Bridge. e says:
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