Rail replacement buses are operating between Harrogate and Leeds this morning due to flooding.
Rail operator Northern said this morning some lines were blocked due to the wet conditions.
It added rail replacement were in place for the 6.30 Leeds to Harrogate 7.30 Leeds to Harrogate 8.30 Leeds to Harrogate, 9.30 Leeds to Harrogate, 7.00 Harrogate to Leeds, 8.00 Harrogate to Leeds. 9.00 Harrogate to Leeds and 10.00 Harrogate to Leeds.
A Met Office weather warning for rain remains in place for the Harrogate district until 9pm until tonight.
Environment Agency flood alerts are active for the upper and lower River Nidd catchments areas and for the Lower River Ure.
More severe flood warnings — which indicate flooding is expected — have been installed for Swinney Beck at Masham and the River Nidd at Hunsingore.
The Swinney Beck warning at 1.54am this morning said:
“Flooding is forecast to affect locations and properties near the Swinney Beck, with low lying land expected to be most affected, particularly around Masham including properties situated off the A6108, Fearby Road, Westholme Road, Leyburn Road, The Avenue, Avenue Bank, Quaker Terrance, Silver Street and College Lane.”
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Flood alerts active on Ure and Nidd as Boroughbridge bears brunt
Flooding is expected in low-lying areas alongside the River Ure near Boroughbridge, the Environment Agency said this morning.
Two flood alerts and one flood warning are active in the Harrogate district, which is at greater risk of flooding than almost anywhere else in northern England and the Midlands.
The more severe flood warning is from Aldwark Bridge to Cuddy Shaw on the Ure, just south of Boroughbridge.
An Environment Agency update for this area at 7.04am today said:
“River levels in the lower River Ure remain high due to recent rainfall associated with Storm Debi. Areas affected are properties at Aldwark Bridge and at Thorpe Underwood in Cuddy Shaw.
“Levels at Aldwark Bridge are continuing to fall but remain high. We expect levels to continue falling today.
“Please put your flood plan in place.”
Environment Agency advice on what to do is available here.
Two people had to be rescued from a vehicle trapped in flood water in Boroughbridge yesterday. The previous night, firefighters pumped two-feet of standing water from a home in the town.
Less severe flood alerts are active for the lower Nidd catchment and the lower Ure.
The flood alert area for the Nidd includes land around the lower Nidd and its tributaries including Sand Beck, Sike Beck, Pool Beck and Great Gutter.
For the lower Ure, the area at risk is low-lying land including agricultural land and local roads in the areas around Masham, Boroughbridge, Aldborough and Bishop Monkton.
Brighter is weather is expected this afternoon and tomorrow before further outbreaks of rain this weekend.
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Residents in Pannal and Burn Bridge urged to act now to avoid flooding
The Environment Agency has urged people in Pannal and Burn Bridge to act now to avoid the impact of flooding.
The government agency issued a flood warning for areas alongside the River Crimple at 4.14am this morning.
Flood warnings are more severe than flood alerts and indicate flooding is imminent.
It said:
“River levels are rising rapidly on the River Nidd due to rainfall associated with Storm Babet.
“Areas most at risk include properties on Station Road, Malthouse Lane and Crimple Meadows. Further rainfall is expected throughout the day.
“Our incident room is open and we are closely monitoring the situation.”
A less severe flood alert has been issued for the Upper Nidd Catchment area (see above).
Rain is predicted all day before drier weather tomorrow.
The Environment Agency said:
“Avoid using low lying footpaths and any bridges near local watercourses and do not attempt to walk or drive through flood water.”
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What to do if you get a flood warning
This is the Environment Agency advice.
A flood warning means you need to act: flooding is expected. You should do all the actions for a flood alert, but also:
- move vehicles to higher ground if it’s safe to do so
- move family and pets to safety
- move important items upstairs or to a safe place in your property, starting with cherished items and valuables, then furniture and furnishings
- turn off gas, electricity and water supplies if it’s safe to do so; never touch an electrical switch if you’re standing in water
- if you have property protection products such as flood barriers, or air brick covers, use them now
- keep track of the latest flood risk situation
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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‘Act now’ flood warning issued in Harrogate district
People are being urged to act now in low lying areas near Boroughbridge, where flooding is expected today.
Although the Harrogate district is ending the year with unseasonably mild temperatures of 12 degrees centigrade expected at midnight, recent wet weather is having an impact.
The government’s flood warning website has flagged up land near the caravan park at Roecliffe, near Boroughbridge, as the local area in most imminent danger due to rising levels on the River Ure.
The warning says:
“River levels are rising on the River Ure due to rainfall. Flooding is forecast to affect locations near the River Ure, with low lying land expected to be most affected, particularly around Roecliffe Caravan Park.
“Flooding is affecting Roecliffe Caravan Park from 03:30 PM on 31/12/2021. The forecast is dry for throughout the afternoon and this evening, with some showers expected tomorrow. River levels will start to fall overnight.”
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It is one of only two flood warnings currently in place in England. The other is in Carlisle.
People are being advised to move vehicles to higher ground, move family and pets to safety, move important items upstairs and turn off gas, electricity and water supplies.
A less severe flood alert has been issued for the Lower River Ure, near Ripon.
It said prolonged overnight rainfall caused rising river levels this morning.
“Levels are now peaking in the upper reaches of the catchment, but levels in the lower reaches of the catchment are still rising and will continue to do so through today, Friday 31st December.
“Some further showers are expected at times today, with weather conditions remaining unsettled for the coming days.”
Flood warning near Boroughbridge as river levels rise
There is a flood warning in place near Boroughbridge after several days of heavy rainfall and drivers are being urged to avoid low-lying roads.
The River Ure at Westwick Lock is expected to peak at around 1.5 metres this afternoon.
As a result, the flood information service has said flooding is “expected/possible” today in the Roecliffe Caravan park area.
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A spokesperson for the flood information service said:
“The flood warning for the River Ure at Roecliffe Caravan Park has been issued due to rising river levels following recent rainfall.
“The river level at Westwick Lock is currently 1.4m and is forecast to rise steadily, peaking at approximately 1.5m this afternoon.
“Consequently, flooding is expected/possible today in the Roecliffe Caravan Park area. Our incident response staff are closely monitoring the forecast.
“Please plan driving routes to avoid low-lying roads near rivers, which may be flooded.”
It is currently the only place in the UK where a more serious flood warning is in place.
There are also six flood alerts in place, which means flooding is possible rather than expected.
Two of the alerts are in place at the Lower River Ure near Ripon and the Lower Dunsforth Access.