Flood sirens sounded as Calder and Aire rise

The Environment Agency sounded the flood sirens at Todmorden and Mytholmroyd today amid concern over the rising River Calder and issued flood warnings for Leeds city centre.
Flood warnings are in place across YorkshireFlood warnings are in place across Yorkshire
Flood warnings are in place across Yorkshire

The agency issued a flood warning for central Todmorden which said: “Rainfall is set to continue until around early evening on Saturday when river levels will begin to fall.

“We are closely monitoring the situation from the Leeds incident room which is now open. We have field team members out on site currently. Todmorden siren has been sounded.”

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The number of flood warnings posted by the Environment Agency across England and Wales rose to 79 after another day of torrential rain today.

They included Eastburn Beck at Sutton-in-Craven between Keighley and Skipton, the stretch of the Calder from Todmorden to Eastwood and around Hebden Bridge, Mytholmroyd, Brearley and Luddenden Foot.

The Calder was also causing concern at Brighouse and Elland while the rising Spen triggered flood warnings at Cleckheaton, Littletown, Liversedge and Ravensthorpe.

Tonight flood warnings were issued along the River Aire including Leeds city centre around Sovereign Street, The Calls and Clarence Dock.

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The city centre warning said: “Saturday’s rainfall has caused a response in river levels on the Aire and due to the continued rainfall throughout today we are currently expecting the Aire to continue rising to levels which may cause property flooding.”

The Environment Agency said the peak level of concern would be between 6pm and 7pm.

Flood warnings were also issued further up river covering the stretch between Kirkstall Forge and the Wyther Lane Industrial Units including Kirkstall Abbey.

The Ouse remained swollen in and around York.

Localised flooding of roads and rail was also causing travel disruption across the region.