Knaresborough, Pateley Bridge and Masham have all been hit by flooding today — and alerts remain in place.
Parts of Knaresborough close to the River Nidd appear to have been the worst affected.
An Environment Agency spokesman said there were no confirmed cases of people having to leave their homes.
However, Andrew Weatherhead, owner of Weatherhead Butchers in Pateley Bridge worked through the night unblocking drains and mopping two inches of water from his High Street shop.
Mr Weatherhead, whose shop opened as usual this morning, told the Stray Ferret he planned to buy some flood gates to prevent further problems.
Mr Weatherhead, who finally got home at 3am only to be woken by his house alarm going off at 5.30am, said the town’s river flood defences worked well but added:
“I think there is something wrong with the state of the drains. So many are blocked. We had to unblock them with shovels and sticks and when we did the water went down quickly.”
No other shops in Pateley are believed to have been affected.
Cars moved
Vast swathes of Knaresborough were under water this morning. The area near the Vantage Toyota dealership, close to the River Nidd, was particularly bad.
Kyley Price, a medical administrator who lives in the area, said:
“We are surrounded by water but I’m hoping it wont be too bad. Just the usual clean up to come.
“We got a warning at 5.30 this morning so moved cars etc. We are now just sitting watching TV and waiting.”
Ms Price questioned the effectiveness of the flood prevention measures in the area:
“The water rises and fills the surrounding flood plane and fields faster than ever.”
Ure rising in Ripon
A flood warning remains in place in Ripon for Ure bank and the racecourse.
The government’s flood information service posted at 11.28am today:
“The level of the River Ure at Ripon Ure bank is 3.44m and rising. We expect river levels to continue rising with peak levels expected around 3.61m this afternoon.
“Please avoid using low lying footpaths near local watercourses and plan driving routes to avoid low lying roads near rivers, which may be flooded.”
The water is rising in Ripon.
Many rural roads, including the bridge at Masham, were treacherous this morning.
The forecast is improving but a flood alert is in place for the upper Nidd. The flood information service said at 11.28am:
“Further rainfall is expected on Monday, and river levels will fluctuate through the day. Flooding of low-lying land, roads and footpaths remains possible.”
River Nidd flooding set to hit Knaresborough today
The government has urged people to implement immediate flood protection measures in response to expected flooding in Knaresborough this morning,
Following a weekend of heavy rain, much of the Harrogate district is saturated. But some low-lying areas are in particular danger, which prompted the government flood information service to issue a warning at 5.33am today.
The service said flood warnings were in place at Knaresborough caravan park and Goldsborough Mill Farm, Knaresborough.
River levels are forecast to rise as a result of heavy rainfall on Sunday. It added:
“Consequently, flooding of property, roads and land in Knaresborough is possible today. Areas most at risk are riverside land at Knaresborough Caravan Park.
“The River Nidd in Knaresborough is expected to reach a peak level of up to 1.8m at around 9am today.
“Please activate any property flood protection products you may have, such as flood barriers and air brick covers, and stay away from fast moving water.
“Our incident response staff are closely monitoring the forecast. This message will be updated in 8 hours or as the situation changes.”
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Stray drainage system robust, says contractor
The company that carried out drainage work on the Stray at West Park has said the new system is robust and conforms to industry requirements.
John Lowe, managing director of Green Hammerton company L Philliskirk and Sons, said the company used a controlled discharge system that removes water slowly — but does not leave it standing for days or weeks as has historically blighted the Stray.
The Stray Ferret reported yesterday the Stray at West Park was flooded after one night of rain, six months after Harrogate Borough Council spent £20,000 on a new drainage system for this area.
By early afternoon most of the water had indeed drained away. The main problem was large puddles on the adjoining path – with some forcing pedestrians off the footpath close to the Prince of Wales roundabout.
Mr Lowe said the hydrobrake system conformed with Yorkshire Water guidelines. He likened it to draining water through a straw, and said it could be frustratingly slow but was effective at preventing long-term flooding. He added:
“The system may not be as quick as everyone likes but it will drain the water.”
A spokesman for Harrogate Borough Council said the new drainage channels meant the water drained quicker than it did previously. He added:
“This area is one of the lowest points so the water will naturally make its way there. Over the coming hours and days this standing water will filter through to the drainage channels and subside. Rather than the weeks that it would have remained there previously.”
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