Communities face flood warnings

Sep 27 2012

Thousands of people are facing another day of misery caused by the worst September storm for 30 years.

Heavy downpours swelled rivers and flooded 400 homes and businesses, while rail and road networks were swamped by high water levels.

While the rain will continue to ease off, dozens of communities have been warned they are still at risk.

Residents of a block of townhouses in Newburn, Newcastle, were among those facing a second night out of their homes after floodwater gouged out the ground beneath the building, which remains cordoned off amid safety concerns. Businesses were damaged and looters broke into the KB Cycles near to the stricken townhouses, stealing bikes worth tens of thousands of pounds from the shop while roads were blocked by water and silt.

There are still more than 50 flood warnings, mostly in the North East, and 80 less serious flood alerts.

The River Ouse at York, which on Wednesday flooded riverside car parks, is still rising and is expected to reach five metres (16ft 5in), the Environment Agency said, and could rise further still as water levels peak upstream of the city.

Also on Wednesday, the River Wharfe split the North Yorkshire town of Tadcaster in two, forcing firefighters to close the bridge carrying the A659 over the river after they noticed water seeping through the structure. The Wharfe is now falling from three metres , the Ure at Aldwark Bridge is expected to remain high and the Aire is due to subside, the Environment Agency said.

Another North Yorkshire town, Boroughbridge, was also divided when the bridge over the River Ure was closed due to flooding. Firefighters had to rescue people from a number of riverside homes in the area. Further north, a small bridge partially collapsed in the village of Scorton, near Richmond.

The road and rail network was still struggling to return to normal, with delays and disruptions continuing to affect the north of England. The A1M remained closed northbound near Catterick between junction 49 and the A66 at Scotch Corner, and is likely to remain shut until noon.

The floods have been triggered by more than double the average rainfall for the month falling since Sunday.