- Are YOU affected? Email katherine.lawton@dailymail.co.uk
Major flooding has submerged parts of York and left residents stuck inside after the River Ouse burst its banks.
Locals were warned to avoid walking, cycling or driving through water on Sunday afternoon after the Environment Agency (EA) issued a flood warning for riverside properties in the city.
A second warning was put in place for St George’s Field and Queen’s Staith, where homes are also at risk.
The River Ouse’s level on the Viking Recorder station reached 3.38 metres on Sunday evening, with property flooding possible when levels exceed 3 metres.
Flood gates and the Foss Barrier were in operation in York city centre on Sunday afternoon.
Photos show water rising above residents’ front doors along a stretch of riverside homes – with signposts, tables and chairs completely submerged in water.
The Environment Agency urged locals to ‘start acting on your flood plan’ and ‘activate any flood protection products you may have’.
It comes just days after Storm Ingrid struck Britain with 60mph gusts, heavy downpours and large waves – with hundreds of flood alerts activated amid rail line shutdowns.
Flooding in York’s riverside area after the River Ouse burst its banks on Sunday
Benches outside a property in York are submerged in water after severe flooding in the area
The Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for wind and rain for South West England and South Wales running from 2am on Friday until 9am on Saturday.
Coastal routes and sea fronts in the area were affected by spray and large waves.
Meteorologists also warned of difficult driving conditions due to spray and flooding on roads, as well as power cuts and delays to trains, buses, planes and ferries.
Advice on the government’s website urges people to turn off their gas, electricity and water supplies if they are in a flood zone – but warns not to touch an electrical switch if standing in water.
It also tells people to move family, vehicles, pets and important items to a safer place, such as on the highest floor of their house.
Residents should also use flood protection products if they have them, such as flood barriers or air brick covers.
The bottom of the Woodsmill Quay building is hit by flood water, reaching its doors on the ground floor
The water reaches all the way up to a side street and has directly affected a long row of properties in the city
People are also instructed to seek and follow advice from their local council if they feel they are in danger.
Earlier this month, Sir Keir Starmer urged flood-hit communities to follow advice from emergency services, following incidents in Lincolnshire and Leicestershire.
‘My thoughts are with all those affected and my thanks to responders working hard to keep communities safe,’ he said.
‘Anyone in these areas should follow advice from the emergency services.’
An EA spokesperson said on Sunday: ‘We are monitoring rainfall and river levels and start acting on your flood plan if you have one and activate any flood protection products you may have.’
