More flood warnings as parts of region braced for downpours

A total of seven flood alerts were in place for the Aire and Calder catchments, with concerns mounting the areas badly affected by flooding earlier in the summer could again be hit.

Last night staff at Illingworth fire station told the Yorkshire Post that there had been no reports of any flooding so far in the area but that they were aware of the warnings.

The Met Office said that rain was likely in the areas around Todmorden and Hebden Bridge, Keighley and in the York and Harrogate areas of North Yorkshire.

The chance of heavy rain in the Skipton area was also raised, which could spell bad news for campers at the Beacons Festival.

The rain was expected to have cleared by this morning.

Phil Younge, regional flood risk manager for the Environment Agency, said last night: “Yorkshire has experienced some severe weather in recent months, and with further rain forecast for the next few hours, we would urge the public to remain vigilant, check local weather forecasts, and the Environment Agency website for information.

“Our teams are out across the region, checking and clearing any blockages in watercourses. Our thoughts are with those people whose homes and businesses have been affected by flooding in June and July. We have been working hard to provide communities with as much assistance and information as possible.”

Concerns were also mounting that there would be an increased amount of flooding from surface water, caused by deluges overwhelming drainage systems.

“It is extremely difficult to predict precisely where surface water flooding will happen as it depends on ground levels, the amount of rainfall, and the local drainage network,” a spokesman said.

Elsewhere in the region a flood alert was issued for Bridlington because of high tides which will build over the weekend.

The warnings were issued as parts of South East England braced themselves today for the hottest day of the year.