As heavy rain continues to fall across the Harrogate district for the rest of the day and into this evening, we are bracing ourselves for the impact of Storm Christoph.
We’ll be bringing you live updates throughout the day, including any roads closures and areas facing disruption.
If you have any photos or information for this blog, contact: enquiries@yourharrogate.co.uk
4:20pm – Knaresborough river level 1.3m above typical range
It’s been revealed that the Knaresborough river level was 1.33m above its usual range following a downpour during Storm Christoph today.
The figure is actually LOWER than both days previous, with the level at 1.52m and 1.45m on Tuesday and Monday of this week.
The stat was produced by an automated river level accounts on Twitter:
On 20/01/21 at 15:00 the river level was 1.33m and above its typical range. pic.twitter.com/sU6l1Ge2ft
— Knaresborough (@riverlevel_1871) January 20, 2021
4:10pm – Few flood related incidents for North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue
Thankfully North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue have not been forced into action, with very few flood-related incidents so far today.
The service are reminding people to follow advice and avoid driving through water.
Thankfully we've attended very few flooding related incidents so far today.
Please do keep following the advice, only travel if you really need to, check details of road closures and don't be tempted to drive through flood water- find another route.
— North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service (@NorthYorksFire) January 20, 2021
2:27pm – Harrogate Bus unable to make stops due to floods
The Harrogate Bus Company have announced that their 21 bus is currently unable to reach stops in Coneythorpe, The Old Barn and Moor Farm due to flooding.
Unfortunately, due to flooding the 21 is unable to reach stops Coneythorpe, The Old Barn and Moor Farm in both directions.
The nearest stops are Arkendale and Flaxby
We will let you know once we're back to normal pic.twitter.com/vyKsmijMIj
— The Harrogate Bus Company (@harrogatebus) January 20, 2021
2:25pm – Respect road closure signs
North Yorkshire County Council are reminding motorists and pedestrians to respect road closure signings, with several roads across the area currently closed due to flooding.
Please respect road closure signs. Even if flood water has receded, bridges and other structures may need to be inspected to ensure they are safe for use. Not only is removing signs dangerous, it is an offence.
Get more advice on flooding ⬇️https://t.co/u1tcVnXx2L pic.twitter.com/WPinQh8GzH
— North Yorkshire CC (@northyorkscc) January 20, 2021
1:31pm – The River Ure in Ripon
Here’s the latest from #RiverUre at #Ripon near @RiponRaces.
We’ll bring you updates via our live blog with more heavy rain expected across the area: https://t.co/5M0C7MyD0d pic.twitter.com/YXZRKYnzen
— Your Harrogate (@your_harrogate) January 20, 2021
1:04pm – The River Ure in Boroughbridge
The Environment Agency are in Boroughbridge and are poised to pump away any surface water, although it hasn’t rained as heavily as expected in the area yet:
The #RiverUre in #Boroughbridge where The Environment Agency are poised to pump away surface water if needed, although it hasn’t rained as heavily as expected so far. #StormChristoph pic.twitter.com/YElGrDprPA
— Your Harrogate (@your_harrogate) January 20, 2021
12:51pm – “We’re not really worried at all!”
We spoke to Bob and Margaret Pearson, residents at Knaresborough Caravan Park, about how the floods are affecting their home.
The couple have already moved all of their belongings out of the reach of the flowing water and spoke of their experience dealing with similar floods in recent years:
“It’s nothing like it was in 2015, so to be quite honest we’re not really worried at all!”
We spoke to Bob and Margaret Pearson, residents here at the #knaresborough caravan park, about the floods at their home caused by #stormchristoph and how it compares to recent years… pic.twitter.com/CmtEuFLEpX
— Your Harrogate (@your_harrogate) January 20, 2021
12:49pm – River Nidd rises at Knaresborough Caravan Park
Here’s the current situation at Knaresborough Caravan Park where the River Nidd has risen and is affecting homes.
🎥 The current situation at #knaresborough caravan park where the #rivernidd has also risen due to #stormchristoph.
We’ll have more updates shortly, including a chat with two residents. pic.twitter.com/Sc2E9rC2aL
— Your Harrogate (@your_harrogate) January 20, 2021
12:22pm – River Wharfe at Bolton Abbey this morning
Julie Benson has shared a photo she took of the River Wharfe at Bolton Abbey near Ripon this morning.
12:09pm – Roads affected by floods across North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire County Council have released a list of roads affected by floods caused by Storm Christoph:
(2/4)
– Heslaker Lane, Carleton (Carleton to Broughton)
– Cattal village
– Cattal Moor Lane from Tockwith crossroads
– Ox Moor Lane from Hunsingore
– B1223 The Fleet, Ryther
– The Rampart, Bolton Percy
– B1223, Button Hill, Cawood to Ryther pic.twitter.com/8jw1zZxT7k— North Yorkshire CC (@northyorkscc) January 20, 2021
(4/4)
– Bentham Road, Ingleton junction with Bentham Moor Road
– Masham bridge
– Kellington A645/ Broach Lane junction
– Lunn Lane/ Low Road roadPlease only travel if essential and take extra care if you do.
See road closures here. ⬇️https://t.co/rtTo3Ynw91 pic.twitter.com/fR4bfc4eOt
— North Yorkshire CC (@northyorkscc) January 20, 2021
11:44am – Current situation at River Wharfe at Wetherby
The River Wharfe at Wetherby has risen quite dramatically and the free cark is now closed as a result.
Not a lot of rainfall currently but more expected throughout the day and overnight tonight.
More from #riverwharfe. Not a lot of rainfall currently but plenty more expected throughout the day. pic.twitter.com/YjaV7WdyYp
— Your Harrogate (@your_harrogate) January 20, 2021
11:33am – River Ure flooding at Milby Island near Boroughbridge
A flood warning is in force for the River Ure at Milby island near Boroughbridge, where river levels have risen as a result of heavy rainfall.
The forecasted peak for the River Ure is 14.7-14.9m, which is expected later this evening, whilst flooding of property, roads and farmland is also expected today.
⚠️Flood Warning in force, River Ure at Milby Island:https://t.co/r3lpH9J4Kz
— HBCEmergencyPlanning (@HBCPrepared) January 20, 2021
11:13am – Burst banks at Ripon and Ripley
Both the River Ure at Ripon and the River Nidd at Ripley have burst banks this morning due to the heavy rainfall.
Passerby Julie Benson took the following photos as a passenger:
The Nidd at Ripley… Fields are full @northyorkswx pic.twitter.com/xZK1sTAIgG
— JB (@JB10MILLION) January 20, 2021
The Ure at Ripon…. Burst banks… Sorry about the pic quality… All taken as a passenger @northyorkswx pic.twitter.com/72FWlUTbBc
— JB (@JB10MILLION) January 20, 2021
11:08am – Train line closed from Skipton
The line between Skipton and Carlisle is currently closed due to heavy flooding.
No train services will operate for the remainder of the day.
🌧️⚠️#StormChristoph – The line is closed between Skipton and Carlisle due to heavy rain flooding the railway at various locations. Buses have been requested.
🚌No train services will operate for the remainder of the day.
— National Rail (@nationalrailenq) January 20, 2021
10:24am – Car parks closed in York due to flooding
St George’s Field car park, Esplanade car parks and Rowntree Park are all closed today due to high river levels.
⚠️St George's Field car park, Esplanade car parks and Rowntree Park and car park are closed due to high river levels.
Stay up to date at https://t.co/VFjjCTQLzP pic.twitter.com/t3xrh6sPei— City of York Council (@CityofYork) January 20, 2021
9:00am – Tips for driving in heavy rain and on flooded roads
We’ve put together a guide for driving in heavy rain and on flooded roads, with tips on how to avoid aquaplaning and making sure your car is roadworthy.
Check it out here:
With #StormChristoph set to cause disruption on the roads in the coming days, we take a look at some top tips for driving in heavy rain or flooded roads… https://t.co/7YKjQeTC9N
— Your Harrogate (@your_harrogate) January 20, 2021
8:45am – North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue service ready to assist
North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service have also warned people of the dangers of driving through flood water.
They’ll be assisting passengers to dry land if stuck but will not be recovering vehicles!
With heavy rainfall flooding is to be expected in areas. Please don't drive through flood water that could be too deep and do not ignore any road closure signage. Fire Service crew will assist passengers to dry land but wont recover any vehicles. Stay safe and well everyone
— North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service (@NorthYorksFire) January 19, 2021
8:40am – Do not walk or drive through flood water
North Yorkshire County Council have warned residents not to walk or drive through flood water!
Just a few inches could be strong enough to knock a person off their feet and pedestrians will not be able to see the dangers lurking beneath the water.
Please take care around #flood water and do not walk or drive through flood water. Just a few inches of water can knock you off your feet, water could be contaminated and you can't see hazards such as lifted manhole covers.
Get more advice on flooding ⬇️https://t.co/u1tcVnXx2L pic.twitter.com/yweH40ET0i
— North Yorkshire CC (@northyorkscc) January 19, 2021
8:30am – Which areas will be affected?
As heavy rain continues to fall across the Harrogate district for the rest of the day and into this evening, we are bracing ourselves for the impact of Storm Christoph.
Flood Warnings (meaning flooding is expected) is in place for the following areas:
- Collingham Beck at Collingham
- River Nidd at Hunsingore
- River Nidd at Knaresborough Caravan Park
- River Nidd at Low Laithe
- River Ure at Roecliffe Caravan Park
Flood Alerts (meaning flooding is possible) is in place for these areas:
- Collingham Beck at Collingham
- River Nidd at Hunsingore
- River Nidd at Knaresborough Caravan Park
- River Nidd at Low Laithe
- River Ure at Roecliffe Caravan Park
Storm Christoph: With floods expected across the Harrogate district, we take a look at which areas are likely to be affected. https://t.co/WLqlOM0MSs
— Your Harrogate (@your_harrogate) January 20, 2021
Read more local stories from Your Harrogate here.
The Wharfe at Bolton Abbey 8am pic.twitter.com/qcELtzRNSQ
— JB (@JB10MILLION) January 20, 2021