Flood alerts issued for River Ure and River NiddFlood alert issued for River UreFlood alert issued for River NiddFlood alert issued for drought-hit Masham and BoroughbridgeFlood alerts issued in Harrogate districtFlood alert issued for River Ure at Ripon, Boroughbridge and MashamKnaresborough duck race cancelled due to high river level

Knaresborough’s traditional New Year’s Day duck race will be held online for the second consecutive year due to high river level.

Knaresborough Cricket Club, which organises the event, posted on social media today that it had acted on safety grounds.

It said the event will instead take place virtually rather than by releasing toy ducks off High Bridge on the River Nidd.

The club said:

“It is with a heavy heart that we need to tell you all that the duck race has been cancelled on New Year’s Day 2024 due to safety reasons.

“The river is very high, and with rain last night and heavy showers forecast our partners on the river think that the river will be much too high to have boats in the river and it will be unsafe for all.

“Thanks to all that have purchase tickets. The race will GO AHEAD ONLINE. A link will be posted on here. The race will start at 2.30pm, or why not join us in person at Knaresborough Cricket Club from 2pm.”

It added that all prized will be delivered and funds will go to the club’s junior cricket section and local disability charity Henshaws.

After a wet few weeks, Environment Agency flood alerts remain in place for the Lower River Ure and the River Nidd at Hunsingore in the Harrogate district.

The latest update for the Ure this morning said:

“Areas most at risk include low-lying land, including agricultural land, and local roads in the areas around Boroughbridge, Aldborough, Bishop Monkton and Aldwark.”

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River Nidd bursts its banks as Storm Gerrit hits Harrogate district

A Met Office weather warning for rain and strong winds was active in the Harrogate district from 3am to 6pm today. Here’s a look back at how the weather affected the district.

5.26pm: Flood alert issued for River Ure

Until today, all the local flood alerts were for areas alongside the River Nidd. But at 4.48pm this afternoon the Environment Agency issued one for the lower River Ure. The alert is for a wide area, including Ripon. It says:

“Areas most at risk include low-lying land including agricultural land and local roads in the areas around Masham, Boroughbridge, Aldborough and Bishop Monkton.”

5.10pm: Harrogate trains affected by flooding at Horsforth

Rail operator Northern has announced rail replacement transport on Harrogate services due to flooding at Horsforth. It posted the following information on X:

Further rail replacement transport has been sourced:

17:00 Harrogate – Leeds (York Pullman)

17:40 Harrogate – Leeds (J&B)

18:40 Harrogate – Leeds (J&B)

19:00 Leeds – Harrogate ( York Pullman)

4.37pm: It’s go for Glow at Harlow Carr

The Royal Horticultural Society has posted on social media that its Glow event at its Harlow Carr gardens is going ahead. The charity said:

“RHS Glow is going ahead tonight.  Sorry for the uncertainty the weather has been causing us! But following Met Office advice, we understand the weather is due to clear so Glow can proceed.”

3.54pm: Strong wind alert

The Met Office weather warning for rain is due to end at 6pm today. At precisely the same time, a separate warning will become active for winds.

Gusts of up to 45 mph are forecast locally overnight. The wind warning is active until 3am tomorrow.

3.06pm: Council issues flood advice amid road closures

How are the roads looking where you are? An awful lot of rain has fallen — do let us know by emailing information and photos from where you are to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk so we can update this live blog.

North Yorkshire Council has posted on social media that the A684 between Aysgarth and Worton and Bruntacres Road at Hawes have been closed due to rising river levels. Neither is particularly close to the Harrogate district but the council has nevertheless urged anyone worried about the storm to get information on issues such as requesting sandbags and protecting your home to visit here.

2.35pm: Nidd bursts banks at Knaresborough

The Nidd at Knaresborough. Pic: Andrew Pinder

Andrew Pinder took this photo by the footbridge over the Nidd, looking upstream, in Nidd Gorge. Mr Pinder said:

“Whilst the Nidd appears to have burst its banks, on Waterside it was still contained. When the photo was taken, the level was about 1.2 metres above normal.”

1.39pm: New flood alerts issued

The Environment Agency has added flood warnings on the middle and lower reaches of the Nidd to go with the one already in place on the upper Nidd.

The middle Nidd flood alert area includes land around the middle Nidd and its tributaries including Thornton Beck, Newton Beck, Oak Beck, Cow Dyke Beck, Bilton Beck, Frogmire Dike and Syke Dike.

The yellow lines indicate the areas at risk of flooding alongside the Nidd.

The lower Nidd alert says area includes land around the lower River Nidd and its tributaries including Sand Beck, Sike Beck, Pool Beck and Great Gutter.

11.10am: RHS expects Glow event to go ahead tonight

RHS Garden Harlow Carr has posted on social media to say:

“The garden is open as usual today, and we expect our Glow event can go ahead tonight. We are nevertheless keeping a close eye on the weather, so please check back in case anything changes.”

9.56am: Flood alert issued for Crimple Valley

A second flood has been issued locally by the Environment Agency. This time it is for the River Crimple, The areas most at risk include land around the River Crimple and its tributaries, including Horn Beck, Clark Beck, Hookstone Beck, Rud Beck, Toad Hole Beck and Park Beck.

An Environment Agency map showing the area at risk of flooding.

The alert says:

“Flooding is possible from 11:30am on Wednesday. Further rainfall is forecast over the next few days. We are monitoring rainfall and river levels and are checking rivers for blockages in the area.”

7.52am: River Nidd flood alert

A flood alert has been issued for the upper River Nidd catchment area as Storm Gerrit hits the Harrogate district.

At 7.01am this morning, the Environment Agency issued its first flood alert for the district.

It said flooding is possible on land around the upper River Nidd and its tributaries, including How Stean Beck, Blayshaw Gill, Ramsgill Beck, Lul Beck, Foster Beck, Fosse Gill, Fell Beck and Darley Beck in the Pateley Bridge area of Nidderdale.

An Environment Agency map of the area at risk of flooding.

The alert added:

“Further rainfall is forecast over the next few days and into the weekend. Please avoid using low-lying footpaths near local watercourses and do not walk or drive through floodwater. Please consider putting your flood plan into action.”

The ice rink in Harrogate announced on social media it will once again be closed for the day due for the day.

We will bring any further storm updates throughout the day.

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Flood threat remains after wind fells trees in Harrogate

Flood warnings remain active across the Harrogate district this morning after a wild night of weather that saw several trees fall.

The entire length of the River Nidd and its tributaries and the Lower River Ure are subject to flood alerts by the Environment Agency.

More severe flood warnings are in place at Hunsingore on the Nidd and on at Boroughbridge camping and caravanning site on the Ure.

Last night saw several trees crash down, including one outside Valley Gardens in Harrogate at the bottom of Valley Drive.

Helen Bagnall, who witnessed the incident, said:

“The tree has fallen on top of a car and is completely blocking the road, I tried to ring the police but there is nobody answering unless it’s an emergency. It just kept going round in circles, asking me if I wanted to report dog fouling.”

Grayston Plain Lane at Hampsthwaite was blocked next to the Northern Energy site due to a fallen tree.

A tree also came down at the Oval in Harrogate.

Last night saw firefighters rescue two people trapped in a car that got stuck in floodwater in Ripon shortly before 7pm.

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Flooding ‘expected’ at caravan park in Harrogate district

The Environment Agency has warned that flooding is ‘expected’ at a caravan park in the Harrogate district.

The caravan park at Roecliffe, near Boroughbridge, is situated alongside the River Ure.

At 12.29am this morning the Environment Agency urged people in the area to ‘act now’. It said:

“Flooding is expected in this area. This means properties are at risk of flooding. Please take action to protect yourself and your property and monitor local weather and river conditions.

“Avoid contact with, walking or driving through flood water. Consider activating any property flood protection products you may have.”

The government department also activated a less severe flood alert for the River Ure at 3.19am this morning.

It applies to low-lying land including agricultural land and local roads in the areas around Masham, Boroughbridge, Aldborough and Bishop Monkton. The alert said:

“Flooding is possible in this area. Monitor local water levels and weather conditions. Avoid using low lying footpaths or entering areas prone to flooding.”

Last night the Environment Agency issued a flood alert for the Upper River Nidd catchment area, which remains active.

A map showing where flood alerts and warnings are active.

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