Phil Bodmer
Journalist, BBC Look North

Some power is expected to be restored to the River Foss flood barrier in York tomorrow, City of York Council and the Environment Agency say.

Water levels on the River Ouse currently stand at about 5.1m.

Levels on the Foss will begin to fall when levels on the Ouse begin falling, the Environment Agency says, external.

The level of the Ouse is expected to peak on Monday morning and remain high until Tuesday.

Flooding which has hit Leeds over the past 24 hours has been "unprecedented in its severity" and the cost of the damage caused will be "considerable", the Labour leader of Leeds City Council says.

Image source, AFP/Getty Images

In a statement issued a short time ago, external, Judith Blake says: "If ever the evidence was needed that cities like Leeds must have the best possible comprehensive flood defences, this is it. 

"The council warned the government after several near-misses in recent years that a major flood in Leeds was a catastrophe waiting to happen... A preventable disaster like this must never happen again."

Flooding in York and Selby remains serious, but "everything that needs to be done is being done" to control the risk faced by local residents and the emergency services, North Yorkshire's Police and Crime Commissioner Julia Mulligan says.

Image source, Getty Images

In a statement, Mrs Mulligan says: "The next few hours will be critical. In the meantime, I'd like to thank everyone for working so hard to protect people, including many volunteers. 

"My heart also goes out to those already affected. It may be of little comfort in some circumstances, but please be reassured that the emergency services and others are doing all they can to help keep you safe."

Rescue crews are still busy in several areas of West Yorkshire dealing with the aftermath of flooding which has hit the county over the past 48 hours, West Yorkshire Fire Service says, external.

Crews are still in attendance pumping out at West Point, Wellington Street, and at the ITV studios on Kirkstall Road in Leeds, and will be at both sites for the rest of the evening. 

They're also helping local residents in Keighley whose homes have been affected, the fire service says.

Martin Coldrick
BBC Local Live

As the flooding continues to cause major problems in the north of England, here's a recap of some of the main points today:

- Thousands of homes evacuated in Yorkshire and Lancashire

- City of York requests 5,000 additional sandbags as river levels continue to rise

- Across north-west England nearly 6,000 customers remain without power

- West Yorkshire Police declare a major incident after the "worst flooding in 70 years"

- People are advised not to travel by rail in Cumbria, Lancashire and Yorkshire

Matthew Price
BBC correspondent, York

There's concern that the River Ouse in York will peak at more than 15ft above the normal summer levels on Monday afternoon.

Many people have been evacuated from their homes because of the severe flooding.

I've been at one flood gate in the centre of the city on the River Ouse to see what the situation is for myself. Watch my report here.

British cities must do more to protect themselves from flooding like that seen in the north of England over the past two days, a professor at the University of East Anglia has said.

Speaking on the BBC News Channel, hydro-geologist Kevin Hiscock said the country needs to adopt a flood risk management approach to help avoid a repetition of recent flooding. 

"When you look at the urban centres - where people live - we need to build our defences higher there and protect those people who are very vulnerable.

"But in the wider catchment we can adopt softer engineering approaches. We can plant woodland to create wet woodland on the floodplain, we can think about recreating meanders in our rivers to hold back some of the water, to reduce the flood peak."

Floodwater is being pumped out of a York electricity substation which is one of the city's main power supply sources, Northern Powergrid has confirmed.

Image source, Northern Powergrid

The Melrosegate primary substation supplies about 50,000 properties in York and Northern Powergrid says it's working with the fire service to pump out water which has started to enter the site.

In a statement, the company says: "The pumps are managing the current water levels. The existing flood defences are helping reduce the flow and the on-site team continues to closely monitor rising water levels."

About 20,000 electricity customers have seen their power restored since severe flooding hit the north west of England yesterday, power firm Electricity North West has confirmed, external.

However, about 5,940 customers are still waiting for their electricity supply to be restored and some of those may not have power until Monday due to the severity of the flooding.

Johnny Hayes, independent councillor for the Micklegate ward on City of York Council, says he's seen "many random acts of kindness" today as the city coped with major flooding.

Image source, PA

In a statement, he says: "People helping strangers to protect their homes or help them move, rooms being made available in homes to welcome those who are flooded, many donations of supplies for flood prevention or food, a constant flow of tea and coffee and many hugs of support. 

"People gave up their Christmas holiday to help. I am so proud to have seen our community pull together to help those who desperately needed our support."

Pubgoers in Kirkstall, Leeds, are being asked to don their wellies on Monday morning and head to one local pub to help the clean-up operation after it was flooded.

The Kirkstall Bridge Inn, which was last flooded just over a month ago, has again had its downstairs bar and cellar submerged under water from the nearby River Aire.

Staff at the pub are asking people to lend a hand as they have "a big job ahead of us".

Emily Unia
BBC reporter

Many hands have made light work in Whalley, Lancashire, today where the post-flood clean-up was well under way.

It's more than 24 hours since the river peaked here and things couldn't look more different. But while there's no longer water flowing through the streets there's mud and debris everywhere.

Skips have been steadily arriving and they've been filled within minutes. Everyone has been helping, making the clean-up a little easier.

As the clean-up progresses in the Calder Valley after major flooding hit towns such as Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd, here's just some of what's been happening over the past 48 hours.

People living in Mickletown, Leeds, are being advised to be aware of flood warnings, external.

The Environment Agency has issued a warning for the area as a result of the volume of water travelling down the River Aire and River Calder.

People are being warned by police to take "any necessary precautions", including moving valuables upstairs and making sure they have all they need to hand in case they need to abandon their homes.

Martin Coldrick
BBC Local Live

Thanks to Karen Oxtoby for sending in this picture of floodwater at the very foot of York's landmark Cliffords Tower earlier today.

For those who know York, it shows just how far into the city centre the flooding reached.

Image source, Karen Oxtoby

People wanting to view the flooding affecting York city centre and other areas of North Yorkshire are being advised to keep away by police.

North Yorkshire Police's Deputy Chief Constable, Tim Madgwick, says, external: "Many major routes into York and Selby are currently flooded and travel in and around these areas is very challenging.

"Routes that are open and passable are critical to emergency services to access to those who need support. We would ask people who do not need to travel to York, Selby and Selby district to delay their visit until the flood risk has passed."

Paul Burnell
Reporter, BBC News Online

United Utilities says it is investigating a loss of water supplies in Rochdale, Greater Manchester., external

The company said it had received 60 to 70 calls reporting problems. It is posting updates for affected customers, external on its Twitter feed.

About 500 properties in York are currently directly affected by flooding which has hit the city, York Council has just confirmed, external.

Image source, AFP/Getty Images

The River Ouse, which runs through the city, is currently standing at 5.1m above normal summer levels and is expected to peak at about lunchtime on Monday at about 5.3m, the council says.

A second rest centre at the Energise Leisure Centre, on Cornlands Road, is currently being opened for those affected by flooding in the north of the city.