River levels in York are set to peak following Storm Claudia, which brought heavy rainfall to the region on Friday and Saturday. Flood warnings remain in place along the River Ouse in North Yorkshire, with alerts also active for the River Rother in South Yorkshire.
Residents in York city centre were urged to follow their flood plans as flood gates were closed and the Foss Barrier was put into operation. The Environment Agency (EA) said that while no significant rainfall is expected in the coming days, riverside properties from Lendall Bridge to Millennium Bridge, including King’s Staith, remain most at risk.
The level of the Ouse at the Viking Recorder measuring station reached 3.56m (11ft 6in) at 09:15 GMT, compared with its normal range of 0.05m to 1.90m. Flooding can occur when the river rises above 3m (10ft). The EA also warned of potential flooding at Naburn Lock, just outside York.
High water levels have affected businesses along the riverside. At SOPHiE cafe next to Lendal Bridge, outdoor seating areas were mostly submerged, highlighting the impact on the local community and tourism.
In South Yorkshire, the flood warning for Beighton, near Sheffield, was removed at 14:15 BST on Saturday. Residents in areas such as Woodhouse Lane, Rotherham Road, and the Crown Works Industrial Estate had previously been advised to put protective measures in place. A wider flood alert remains active, indicating that roads and low-lying land may still be affected into the afternoon.
Transport services have been disrupted as a result of the flooding. Rail routes between Manchester and Leeds experienced delays and cancellations, and the South Yorkshire tram service was impacted. National Rail confirmed that services are expected to return to normal on Sunday following the lifting of weather warnings linked to Storm Claudia. Northern Rail also confirmed that Rotherham Central Station had reopened after closures on Friday and Saturday due to flood concerns.
Residents are advised to continue monitoring flood alerts and to take precautions where necessary, particularly in low-lying areas close to the rivers.
