UK – Flood Rescues in Northern England After Rivers Overflow

by in News, UK

Heavy rain in northern England has led to rivers breaking their banks in parts of Yorkshire and Lancashire, leaving roads closed and motorists stranded.

Flooded roads in North Yorkshire left several drivers stranded. Photo: Richmond Fire Station

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said on 01 November:

“Throughout the evening crews from Hawes, Reeth, Leyburn, Colburn, Bentham, Settle, Skipton, Lofthouse, Grassington and Richmond have worked tirelessly through the night to respond to multiple reports of flooding across the Western areas of the county.”

Fire and rescue services in Richmond, North Yorkshire, rescued 9 people trapped in 6 vehicles stranded in flood water Appersett on 01 November.

At nearby Bainbridge, the Ure river reached record levels, jumping from 0.92 metres to 4.07 metres in the space of 7 hours to early 02 November.

Levels of the River Ure at Bainbridge, North Yorkshire, reached record highs on 02 November 2020. Image: Environment Agency

On 02 November rescue teams were called out to rescue drivers trapped in vehicles in Denton, Morton on Swale, Skipton, Cattal, Carleton and Ripon.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service reported some homes were flooded in Grinton and Masham, where the Ure River jumped to a record high of 3.57 metres, above the minor flood stage of 2.8 metres

Levels of the River Ure at Masham, North Yorkshire, reached record highs on 02 November 2020. Image: Environment Agency

In neighbouring Lancashire, flooding affected Lancaster and several villages in the Ribble Valley including Waddington, Sawley and Chipping.

Ribble Valley Police said: “We are receiving an increasing volume of calls in relation to the flooding in the Ribble Valley Area. It is recommended that people avoid the areas of Chipping, Waddington and Sawley, due to high levels of flooding as conditions are currently dangerous. Highways have a number of road closures in place and caution is advised if you have to make essential travel.”

High winds and heavy rain brought by Storm Aiden moved across the UK from 31 October, according to the UK’s Met Office.

As of 03 November, 22 flood warnings were in place in England, mostly in areas of Yorkshire where levels of the Ure, Swale, Aire and Ouse rivers remain high.

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