Rain and gales blow in autumn chaos

Conditions which buffeted Yorkshire also forced a plane to divert from landing at Leeds Bradford International Airport.

The Jet2 flight from Paris was redirected to land in Manchester last night because of strong winds.

Many roads across the country were left unpassable as homeowners were again forced to protect their properties.

The South West, Midlands and west of England were the worst affected areas as heavy downpours led to flash flooding. The AA had its busiest day for flood-related call-outs in history on Wednesday and commuters suffered major disruption again yesterday.

By midnight on Wednesday, the AA had attended 804 incidents of cars driving through or stuck in flood water.

Billing Aquadrome campsite in Northamptonshire was evacuated yesterday following flood warnings from the nearby River Nene.

The Met Office said some areas saw up to 60mm of rain falling on already saturated ground, which led to further river and surface water flooding.

Much of the UK faced winds of up to 50-60mph, and even gusts of up to 70mph in exposed western areas, which worsened surface water flooding as drains were blocked by wind-blown leaves and debris. More wet weather is forecast across the country tomorrow and Sunday, with the possibility of further significant disruption as a result of flooding.

Yorkshire looks set to miss the worst of the rainfall which will be heaviest and most frequent across northwest Scotland.

There are more than 70 flood warnings in place across the country but none are in Yorkshire. Most areas at risk are in south west England and the Midlands.

Full forecast: Back Page.