Dozens evacuated and roads closed as flood chaos spreads

More than 300 properties have flooded across the country since Sunday, including in Morpeth, Durham, Chester-le-Street and Stockton on Tees, the Environment Agency said.

Elderly residents at a council care home in North Yorkshire had to be carried to safety by firefighters after it became swamped by 3ft of water.

Roads and railways ground to a halt because of the rain and flooding, with the A1 and the East Coast Main Line among the routes hit by the conditions.

Some areas have seen more than a month’s rain fall in 24 hours as downpours and strong winds battered parts of Wales, northern England and Scotland.

Parts of North Wales and northern England were expected to get 25mm to 50mm (1in to 2in) of rain during the day.

Among the worst hit was Ravensworth, North Yorkshire, which had 89mm (3.5in) in 24 hours and more than 100mm (4in) since Sunday. Northern Ireland has also seen heavy rain.

The Met Office said many places have had between 50mm and 70mm (2in to 2.8in) in the past 48 hours.

Heavy rain and strong winds are forecast to return to some southern areas with 20mm to 40mm (0.8in to 1.6in) likely in places into tomorrow.

The Environment Agency had issued 83 flood warnings for potential river flooding by this afternoon, and almost 150 less serious flood alerts.

The agency warned that river levels will continue to rise through Tuesday and Wednesday along the River Ouse in Yorkshire and the River Severn, which could cause further flooding as the water moves downstream.

Communities in Yorkshire, the North West and North Wales were urged to remain on their guard for further floods.

In Morpeth, parts of the town were evacuated as a precaution before the river burst its banks and an estimated 40 stranded residents were rescued using lifeboats, although water levels later appeared to have peaked.

Heavy rains sent cars careering down the River Coquet and homes were flooded in Rothbury, Northumberland, with at least two more flooded in Thropton and Netherton.

Hebden Bridge, which suffered severe flooding twice this summer, appeared to have escaped further damage as river levels seemed to level off just below bank tops.

Brian Smith, who was watching on one of the town’s bridges, said: “I reckon this is the top. The rain’s eased off so I reckon we might escape.

“But just watch it if the rain comes down again. It’s amazing how fast it will rise.”

A council care home in Gilling West, North Yorkshire, which is home to 19 pensioners, the oldest of whom is 92, was evacuated when flood defences were breached.

North Yorkshire County Council laid on two coaches to collect residents from the Oswin Grove unit after family members also became trapped by the floodwaters. Firefighters carried all the residents to safety.

They have been rehoused in Richmond, Easingwold and Bedale until the home can be reopened.

About 50 properties in and around Wearside were evacuated, Sunderland City Council said. A number of roads and two primary schools were closed and residents were warned refuse collections could be disrupted.

Emergency services evacuated around 30 properties in Hartburn, Stockton, Teesside, as water levels rose, and a crew of refuse collectors had to be rescued by firefighters at Eryholme, North Yorkshire, when a river burst its banks and swamped their truck.

Schools in some areas were advised to close early, employers were urged to send staff home early and commuters were asked to stagger their journeys to alleviate problems on the struggling transport network.

Northumbria Police Chief Inspector Sarah Pitt said: “There have been a number of collisions on the roads due to people driving too fast, aquaplaning and not driving according to conditions.”

She advised against travelling unless necessary.

The A1 was closed near Catterick in both directions and is not expected to reopen until tomorrow morning. The A66 was closed in both directions near Darlington as a result of flooding.

In Durham, police threatened to prosecute impatient drivers who tried to use closed roads.

A Durham Police spokesman said: “We have received reports of impatient drivers moving cones to drive through closed roads. This is inconsiderate and dangerous for all road users. Police will take action if we find anyone doing this.”

There was no service on the East Coast Main Line between York and Newcastle for much of the day because of flooding at Eryholme, near Northallerton, preventing the running of services between London and Scotland.

East Coast Trains advised people not to travel and said tickets for today would be valid on trains tomorrow. The West Coast line remained open.

Disruption and delays hit a number of other railway lines in northern England and Wales.

The heavy rain is due to a area of low pressure which moved north across the country from the Bay of Biscay to off the north east coast.

It was moving south west again today to the west of Wales, bringing more rain to northern England and Wales, and later heavy showers to more southern areas, the Met Office said.

The low pressure also caused heavy rain and winds of up to 70mph in Scotland, causing travel disruption with fallen trees blocking some roads.

The A1(M) in North Yorkshire is closed with queueing traffic in both directions between Dishforth and Bradbury, and the A65 is closed both ways between Ilkley and Burley in Wharfedale.

The stormy weather has resulted in ferries being cancelled and delays to rail services.

Meanwhile, an inquest was opened at West London Coroner’s Court into the death of a woman struck by a falling tree branch in Kew Gardens on Sunday.

New Zealand-born account manager Erena Wilson, 31, from London, died instantly when she was hit by the branch while walking in the gardens with friends.

Flooding minister Richard Benyon said his thoughts were with those affected by the floods.

“I know from experience the devastating effect floods have on homes and businesses,” he said.

He offered his support to local MPs in helping affected areas recover.

He said: “Right now we need to let the Environment Agency and emergency services get on with their jobs and I’d like to thank them for the tireless work they are doing to keep people safe and reduce the risk of further flooding.

“It’s vitally important that people don’t take dangerous risks at this time. Signing up for the Environment Agency’s flood alert service will give people the very latest news on the risk to their area.”