Arsonists attempted to set fire to Ripon Cathedral this morning.

North Yorkshire Police, which was alerted to the incident at 10.40am, is appealing for information.

Nobody was injured and no damage was caused. No further details have been released.

A spokeswoman for North Yorkshire Police said:

“We were alerted to a suspected attempted arson incident at Ripon Cathedral at around 10.40am today. Thankfully there were no injuries and no damage caused.

“An investigation is ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.”

Read more:

• St Aidan’s Chamber Choir marks 30 years with Ripon Cathedral concert
• Harrogate’s Valley Gardens to host spectacular fire and light show

The cathedral, which is celebrating its 1,350th anniversary this year, was open as normal this afternoon.

A spokesperson confirmed firefighters were called this morning after smoke was smelt inside the building. The spokesperson added:

“We have been asked not to give any more details while investigations are ongoing.”

Inside the cathedral, pictured this afternoon.

Police asked anyone with information to email sarah.hargreaves@northyorkshire.police.uk or call North Yorkshire Police on 101.

Alternatively, they can contact Crimestoppers anonymously via its website or by calling 0800 555 111.

Quote reference number 12220031515.

People in the Harrogate district are being urged to count the stars in the sky to measure light pollution.

The Campaign to Protect Rural England is carrying out the survey from Saturday, February 26, to Sunday, March 6.

The move comes after the Yorkshire Dales joined 15 other areas as a designated dark sky reserve in 2020.

It’s possible to see thousands of stars, the Milky Way, meteors and even the Northern Lights in some areas on clear nights.

Read more:

• Yorkshire Dales joins international dark sky list
• Paddle to the stars at Nidderdale reservoir as part of Dark Skies Festival

People are now being urged to sign up on the Campaign to Protect Rural England website where they can submit their counts.

A spokesperson for CPRE North and East Yorkshire added:

“Results from Star Count will be used to help make a map of where star-spotters are enjoying deep, dark skies.

“By showing on a map where light pollution is most serious or has risen, CPRE can work with local councils and others to decide what to do about it.”

A Dark Skies Festival is currently being held in the Yorkshire Dales until March 6. It includes events across the national park area.

The new Tesco Express in Killinghall will open on Friday.

The shop is located on the site of the former Three Horseshoes pub on Ripon Road in the heart of the village.

Tesco confirmed the news today, saying the new store will provide 15 jobs and be “an exciting new addition for the community”.

It will open for the first time at 8am on Friday and then be open from 7am to 11pm every day.

The Three Horseshoes in Killinghall before it was destroyed.

Store manager Matthew Gilbert said:

“We are extremely excited to be opening our Killinghall Express store and helping to serve the local community at this difficult time.

“The safety of our customers and colleagues is our number one priority and we have been working hard to introduce the social distancing measures designed to keep everyone safe, whilst still offering the local community brilliant service, a broad range of products including fresh food and food to go, and we look forward to welcoming our first customers.

“We have new colleagues joining the team at the store who are from the local area and that local knowledge and experience will be so important as we look to build connections and play our part in the community.”

Read more:

• Tesco moves forward with plans on Killinghall pub site
• Nearly 200 sign petition supporting new Harrogate Tesco

A statement by Tesco said the shop will give community grants and contribute to local food banks.

Any local groups that would like to apply for grants can do so here.

Tesco has submitted a planning application to open a large store a mile away on the site of the former gas works at New Park.

The Harrogate district has been battered by wind, snow and torrential rain during 72 hours of wild weather.

Winds started picking up at around midday on Friday when Storm Eunice arrived, uprooting trees in its wake. By Saturday afternoon the district experienced its first significant snowfall of the weekend, which caught out motorists with its severity.

But worse was to come yesterday when torrential rain caused widespread flooding, especially in low-lying areas near the River Nidd in Pateley Bridge and Knaresborough.

Today has been a day for residents and business owners to clear-up debris and salvage what they can.

Here’s a look back at the extreme weather.

Friday, February 18 – trees uprooted by Storm Eunice

A fallen tree on Beckwith Head Road.

Minutes later a tree splintered on top of the shelter on West Park Stray.

Harrogate fire crews used the aerial ladder platform to prune a tree in danger of falling in Bilton. Photograph: GM Tony Peel

Saturday, February 19 – Snow show

Traffic came to a standstill on Cheltenham Parade and Parliament Street in Harrogate.

This DPD van got stuck on the Stray on Saturday when it tried to avoid the Beech Grove road closure.

Sunday, February 20 – Flooding begins

The water gardens at Fountains Abbey were ‘devastated’ by flooding. Photograph: National Trust

Pateley Bridge High Street flooded.

This screenshot of a video taken by Charlotte Gale shows the state of the River Nidd.

Monday February 21 – The clean up commences

Most of Margaret Pearson’s garden at Nidderdale Lodge Park, Knaresborough, remains underwater after she was forced to evacuate yesterday.

The water level begins to subside on Greenwood Road in Pateley Bridge. It had risen as high as the wheelie bin lids.

Flood defences couldn’t hold back all the water at Marigolds Cafe, Knaresborough

A man was injured as he crossed a busy Harrogate street this morning.

The man was crossing Bower Road when he was struck by the vehicle, which had just turned left from Franklin Road.

The pedestrian was on the ground for several minutes, causing traffic to be diverted, but remained conscious. It is not known how serious his injuries are.

Several police cars attended the scene but North Yorkshire Police has not responded to requests for information.

Eyewitnesses described the man, whose name is not known, as elderly and said a large crowd gathered to offer help.

Retail staff on Commercial Street opposite also came to the man’s aid before paramedics arrived.

The incident happened at about 10.40am this morning.

Read more:

• North Yorkshire Police pledges to improve dire freedom of information response
• Calls for police in Bilton to tackle ‘yobs on bicycles’

Businesses and residents are calling for the drains to be improved in Pateley Bridge after the town flooded again yesterday.

Pateley has flooded frequently in recent years and the bottom of High Street was under water again in the early hours of Sunday.

Fortunately the water subsided quickly after Lee Chandler, co-owner of the Spar shop on High Street, went out in the dark with rods to unblock the drains.

Many people blame the state of the drains for not the problem. They say the drains are not cleaned often enough and therefore don’t remove water that comes down the hill fast enough, leaving shops at the bottom of High Street vulnerable.

Firefighters help out yesterday.

The increased regularity of floods has led to calls for action.

Andrew Weatherhead, owner of butchers H Weatherhead and Sons, plans to install flood doors at the front and back of his shop after water got into the premises for the second time in a year. The shop closed yesterday but has reopened today.

He said:

“The problem is not the river flooding — it’s the state of the drains. The water comes down the High Street and it brings a load of muck down. There’s a couple of drains on either side of the road and they get blocked by the mud.

“We could do with bigger drains or the drains being cleaned more frequently.”

Elizabeth Chandler, co-owner of the Spar shop, said her husband Lee often unblocked the drains and the problem was compounded yesterday by a lack of sandbags distributed.

Unblocking the drains yesterday.

Mr Chandler began tackling the flooding at 5am. It had cleared by about 7.30am and then he and his wife helped the clean-up operation on Greenwood Road, which had also flooded. They finally got home at 8pm only to notice the roof of their home was leaking.

Ms Chandler agreed to the state of the drains needed addressing — a sentiment echoed by many residents on Facebook groups in the area.

Read more:

• Owner of Royal Baths Chinese Restaurant opens Pateley Bridge takeaway
• Knaresborough cafe owner speaks of flood devastation

Stanley Lumley, a Conservative councillor who represents Pateley Bridge on both Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council, told the Stray Ferret that there was a problem with the drains in the town, which along with snow meltwater and torrential rain caused a “perfect storm”.

Cllr Lumley, who took part in yesterday’s emergency response, added:

“North Yorkshire County Council has brought highways management back in-house so I hope we will be able to manage our resources better than in the past.

“The council relied on outsourced contractors in the past and they haven’t been as proactive as they should have been.

“In future, rather than do blanket cleans of gulleys that don’t always need it we will be able to undertake more targeted cleaning.”

Cllr Lumley praised the town’s emergency response, adding:

“We’ve got fantastic community spirit in Pateley Bridge.”

‘Flooding due to volume of water’

Melisa Burnham, the council’s highways manager for the Harrogate area, said the amount of rainfall was the key issue. She said:

“We had up to 80mm of rain forecast on already saturated ground in the Pateley Bridge area and there will be a point where this quantity of water is beyond the capacity of highways drainage systems; it is likely that flooding in Pateley was therefore due to this volume of water rather than the state of the drains.

“Nevertheless, once the flooding has been dealt with, particularly any immediate risk or risk to properties, any problem areas will be investigated and action taken as required in due course.”

Residents and businesses are continuing the clean up in the wake of Storm Franklin which left many areas across the Harrogate district flooded.

Storm Franklin left many areas under water yesterday as heavy rain hit the district.

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.

2.40pm – River level in Boroughbridge

A picture posted by James Wilkinson on social media shows the current level of the River Ure in Boroughbridge.

2.35pm – Bewerley Recreation Park under water

Our reporter has captured these pictures this afternoon of Bewerley Recreation Park near Pateley Bridge flooded.

2pm – Road closures across North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire County Council has released a list of road closures, including some in the Harrogate district.

The roads are listed as closed or passable with care.

(2/4) – A168 near Thornton le Street
– B1223 The Fleet, Ryther

Closed:
– Road into Kirby Wiske
– Sandhill Lane (road to Holme on Swale from B6267
– Eldmire Lane
– Dalton Lane
– Occany Lane, Farnham
– East Farm to Grey Gables, Laverton/Ripon
– Catttal Moor Lane, Cattal pic.twitter.com/SpwSjRAMfm

— North Yorkshire Council (@northyorksc) February 21, 2022

(4/4) Closed:
– Morton on Swale Bridge
– Little Langton
– B1257 Golder Square to Stockings Lane
– Intake Lane, Beal
– Raw Lane/New Lane, Ulleskelf
– New Road Ulleskelf
– B6160 between Linton Crossroads and Threshfield highways depo pic.twitter.com/RA8Pc7bWOD

— North Yorkshire Council (@northyorksc) February 21, 2022

1.47pm – Knaresborough residents assess Storm Franklin flood damage

Knaresborough residents and business owners have begun to assess the damage caused by Storm Franklin after many were forced to evacuate their homes due to flooding.

The storm brought heavy rainfall to the area over the weekend and caused the banks of the River Nidd to break, leaving many houses in the surrounding area at risk.

You can read more here.

1.10pm – Dishforth Road water levels beginning to subside

Water levels on the flooded Dishforth Road near Ripon are beginning to subside and some motorists are now attempting to pass through the road.

Meanwhile, a blue Audi which was abandoned on the road earlier is still awaiting recovery.

12.55pm – Plea for better drains in Pateley Bridge after floods

Businesses and residents are calling for the drains to be improved in Pateley Bridge after the town flooded again yesterday.

Pateley has flooded frequently in recent years and the bottom of High Street was under water again in the early hours of Sunday

You can read more here.

12.45pm – Pateley Bridge devastated by flooding

Our reporter Suzannah Rogerson has been on greenwood Road in Pateley Bridge, which was hit hard by Storm Franklin this past weekend.

You can see the current situation in the town below:

12.06pm – Marigolds Cafe in Knaresborough. hopes to reopen tomorrow.

Justine Connolly, who co-owns Marigolds Cafe on Waterside, was forced to close the cafe on Sunday morning just as Storm Franklin was approaching the district.

She tells the Stray Ferret she hopes to reopen tomorrow. You can read more here.

11.40am – Ure expected to peak at midday as Boroughbridge bridge remains closed 

Boroughbridge Emergency Response Team update has issued a flood update. It says:

“The Ure has burst its banks and is currently at 15.3m and holding steady, but not due to peak until midday today. The road is closed.

“That said people are still driving through causing great problems for home owners that are flooded. It is illegal to ignore a road closure and those that do will be reported.

“Yorkshire Water are in the car park to prevent flooding there. We have just witnessed a huge tree crashing down at the side of the river so if you are out walking take care.”

10.15am – Knaresborough resident speaks of being evacuated from floods

Margaret Pearson, a resident at Nidderdale Lodge caravan park, has been speaking to the Stray Ferret this morning about her experience of the flooding yesterday.

You can watch the interview below.

10.05am – Copgrove Lane flooded

Copgrove Lane in Knaresborough is currently flooded. Drivers are urged to avoid the area.

9.35am – Advice from North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue

Harrogate Fire Station has issued advice this morning to avoid flooded roads as water is still coming down from the hills.

9.23am – Ripon flooding footage

A Stray Ferret reader has shared this footage from Urebank Terrace in Ripon this morning, which has been hit hard by the floods.

9.18am – Studley Royal, Water Garden and Fountains Abbey all closed

The Studley Royal, Water Garden and Fountains Abbey at Ripon are all closed this morning due to the devastating floods yesterday.

National Trust park rangers are at the entrance to advise would-be visitors of the temporary closure.

9.10am – B6275 at Boroughbridge this morning

The B6275 at Boroughbridge this morning, which is closed due to flooding.

B6275 at Boroughbridge currently closed due to flooding pic.twitter.com/obQ7nZaN9M

— HBCEmergencyPlanning (@HBCPrepared) February 21, 2022

8.55am – Pictures of the River Nidd this morning

Here’s how the River Nidd and Nidderdale Lodge caravan park at Knaresborough look this morning.

Earlier, the Environment Agency said river levels on the Nidd had “peaked”.

8.39am – Reports of tree down at Mother Shiptons

Stray Ferret reader Nicola Johnson has shared an update that a tree is blocking the road near Mother Shiptons in Knaresborough.

If you have any further information on this you can email contact@thestrayferret.co.uk or message us on Facebook.

8.30am – Bridge in Boroughbridge closed

The bridge in Boroughbridge has closed to traffic. River levels on the Ure have increased and traffic is being turned around in both directions.

8.20am – Flooding in Hampsthwaite

A Stray Ferret reader has sent this footage from flooding in Hampsthwaite yesterday.

8.05am – Boroughbridge Road at Hewick Bridge closed

Boroughbridge Road at Hewick Bridge, near Ripon Racecourse, is closed after the River Ure burst its banks.

It leaves routes into and out of Ripon limited, however traffic is still flowing on the bypass and the route to the A1 remains clear.

7.55am – Pateley Bridge bus services cancelled

Harrogate Bus Company has had to cancel some services to Pateley Bridge this morning due to flooding.

⚠️ Due to flooding in Pateley Bridge, the following journeys on the 24 are unable to run:

07.40 – Harrogate to Pateley Bridge
09.00 – Pateley Bridge to Harrogate

ℹ️ next buses – 2 hours

Our apologies for any inconvenience caused

@northyorkscc

— The Harrogate Bus Company (@harrogatebus) February 21, 2022

7.45am – Environment Agency: River Nidd levels “have peaked”

The Environment Agency has said this morning that river levels on the River Nidd have peaked.

However, a flood warning remains in place

River levels have now peaked in the upper catchments of the #Wharfe and #Nidd and our focus is turning to #York and #Tadcaster where levels will peak tomorrow morning. Check your flood risk now https://t.co/j6ls7uqAIb pic.twitter.com/bYfgvMygMp

— Environment Agency – Yorkshire & North East (@EnvAgencyYNE) February 21, 2022

7.35am – Drivers urged to avoid Dishforth Road near Ripon

Drivers are urged to avoid Dishforth Road due to flooding near to the Ripon bypass.

One driver has had to abandon their car due to the flood.

7.22am – Police urge drivers to avoid low-lying roads

North Yorkshire Police has urged people to avoid low-lying roads and footpaths as Storm Franklin continues to cause disruption.

https://twitter.com/NYorksPolice/status/1495653258169401350

7.20am – Yellow weather warning of strong wind

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for strong wind in the Harrogate District.

The warning is in place until 1pm today and may cause disruption on the roads and to public transport.

7.15am – River Nidd flood warning remains in place

A flood warning remains in place for the River Nidd at Knaresborough this morning.

The Environment Agency has warned that river levels have fallen since yesterday, but remain higher than normal.

The Environment Agency adds on its website:

“Areas at risk are locations near the River Nidd, with low lying land expected to be most affected, particularly around Riverside properties situated along the Waterside, Abbey Road, Spital Croft and Monskwell Park including part of Manse Lane Industrial Estate.”

The owner of a riverside cafe in Knaresborough has spoken of the devastation caused by flooding this weekend.

Justine Connolly, who co-owns Marigolds Cafe on Waterside, was forced to close the cafe on Sunday morning just as Storm Franklin was approaching the district.

Heavy rain then caused flooding across the Harrogate district, forcing some residents to evacuate their homes.

Ms Connolly said:

“We’ve got CCTV that we can log in on our phones, so we saw that it was bad on Sunday morning.”

Read more:

• River Ure at Boroughbridge rising and expected to peak at midday
• Harrogate jigsaw marathon to raise money for dementia charity

She said coming into work this morning to empty the water from the cafe was “like emptying a bath”.

Ms Connolly added:

“We have to sweep it manually out, we haven’t got any pump systems.”

She said the floods was “as bad” as those in 2016. However, she added that there was more warning this time:

“The only difference with this one is that we saw it coming. We’ve had texts [flood alerts] for the past three days.

“Even though we know its coming and we’ve had it before, it’s still a horrible feeling. You don’t know how high it’s going to get, when it is going to go away and how much damage it is going to do.”

Despite the flooding, Ms Connolly said staff have started the clean up today and are preparing to reopen tomorrow.

She said:

“Now we’re just cleaning up, restocking and getting ready for tomorrow.”

Groups and organisations in the Harrogate district are being invited to apply for grants of up to £2,500 to help support local communities.

The Knabs Ridge Wind Farm community benefit fund helps to fund projects which benefit local people, such as renovations to buildings and new equipment for playgroups.

It has also helped fund public Internet and computers at Hampsthwaite Memorial Hall.

The fund is aimed at organisations in Hampsthwaite Felliscliffe, Hampsthwaite, Birstwith, Norwood, Darley and Menwith, Haverah Park with Beckwithshaw and Fewston in Nidderdale.

It is available to small local charities and voluntary and community groups in those areas.

Read more:

• Will Harrogate district charities lose funding in council shake-up?
• Harrogate jigsaw marathon to raise money for dementia charity

The fund, which is operated by Two Ridings Community Foundation, has grants that are awarded to “enhance quality of life for local residents” and “contribute to vibrant, healthy, successful and sustainable communities”.

RWE Renewables, which set up the fund, said:

“The Knabs Ridge Wind Farm Community Fund is designed to help voluntary organisations, community groups and small charities and other types of not for profit organization that support charitable, educational, community, environmental, energy efficiency or general community amenity projects in the local area.”

Those applying for the grant must be a voluntary organisation, community group, small charity or other type of not for profit organisation and have been in existence for six months.

They must also have a governing document or a constitution. The deadline for applications is May 9, 2022.

More information can be found on the Two Riddings Community Foundation website.

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

9.47pm: Boroughbridge road predicted to flood overnight

It’s been a busy day for a lot of people but there are signs that things are starting to calm down. However:

⚠️River levels are still very high

⚠️B6265 Boroughbridge predicted to flood overnight

⚠️A Yellow wind warning is in place until 13:00 tomorrowhttps://t.co/bY84nwKX5L

— HBCEmergencyPlanning (@HBCPrepared) February 20, 2022

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.

It will be a very windy start to Monday due to #StormFranklin

Bands of rain & showers will also be sinking south during the rush hour, & combined with the strong winds may make travel difficult in places

Warnings are in force throughout the morning so stay #WeatherAware⚠️ pic.twitter.com/wtfn5NI9NF

— Met Office (@metoffice) February 20, 2022

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

8.19pm: Dramatic video shows Cattal flooding

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 4×4’

#StainburnClose #B6161 at #Leathley only passable by 4×4 due to floodwater.
If you are not sure of the depth STAY OUT.
Please do NOT attempt to drive through floodwater.

— North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service (@NorthYorksFire) February 20, 2022

7.28pm: A61 at Harewood Bridge closed

#A61 #HarrogateRoad #HarewoodBridge at #Dunkeswick is closed to ALL traffic due to flood water.

— North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service (@NorthYorksFire) February 20, 2022

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.

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:

“Looks like the rain is with us for the rest of the day. Hope the rest of Pateley is OK as we can’t get out.”

4.32pm: Sections of The Stray in Harrogate under water

The Stray is no stranger to puddles of water but even so, the current situation isn’t looking too great.

4.29pm: Leak on Hollins Lane in Hampsthwaite

Be careful driving in Hampsthwaite.

4.17pm: Update from Knaresborough

Some great photos have been added to the Knaresborough Photography Facebook page.

3.45pm: Sandbag problems?

Thanks again to Louise Kendall in Pateley Bridge, who sent this photo of a home trying to withstand rising floodwater.

Louisa says:

“This is the result of the local council refusing to give us sandbags as they say the river is dropping however its the drains causing the problem.

“I messaged them and they said apparently sand bags are not being released at the moment as the river is going down.”

UPDATE: Louise messaged later to say: “They have given in after a lot of hassle and given us several.”

3.38pm: Update from Ripon

Our Ripon reporter Tim Flanagan has sent this update from the city.

The River Skell rages past the Water Rat – a popular gastro pub overlooking Alma Weir and Ripon Cathedral, that is owned by Rick Jones. The pub was inundated in the floods of June 2007.

As river levels rise in the downpour, the ford at the Firs Avenue crossing near Farmison was overwhelmed when the banks burst.

Ripon’s main River, the Ure is also rising fast and can be seen here at Hewick Bridge near Ripon racecourse.

The Skell between the Iron Bridge and Bondgate Bridge passes the children’s playground in full spate.

3.31pm: Cancellations and delays at Leeds rail station

https://twitter.com/northernassist/status/1495419704076292099

3.29pm: Weather update: rain expected to continue

The latest Met Office forecast for Harrogate is for more rain until 9pm tonight but it could ease after 5pm. Don’t forget, a yellow weather warning for wind is in place until 1pm tomorrow, when this grim period of weather should finally abate.

3.20pm: Flooding at the Studley Royal water garden at Fountains Abbey

The National Trust has released this video of flooding that has ‘totally devastated’ the water gardens at Fountains Abbey today. You can read more here.

3.04pm: 24 bus route cancelled

https://twitter.com/harrogatebus/status/1495412109710082052

2.54pm: River Nidd in Knaresborough

Thanks to Michael Ward for this picture of the River Nidd in Knaresborough, where it has burst its banks and partially submerged some trees.

2.45pm: Latest in Pateley Bridge

Thanks to reader Louise Kendall for these photos taken in the last few minutes, Parts of the town remain under water but Louise tells us the flood has subsided on the High Street thanks to Lee from the Spar shop cleaning the drains. “Greenwood road is worse now,” she says.

Anyone from Knaresborough able to update us on the situation there? The caravan parks are close to the Nidd.

2.43pm: Police issue warning to drivers

Please be aware there are a number of flooded roads throughout the county. Pleas DO NOT drive into floodwater. North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service will not recover vehicles.

— North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service (@NorthYorksFire) February 20, 2022

2.34pm: Pateley Bridge still badly affected

The bottom of the Nidderdale town was flooded this morning after the River Nidd burst its banks. Many nearby roads are also affected. Let us know the latest situation by emailing contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.