York residents' flood alert as North Yorkshire rivers rise

Stormy weather caused a lorry and a van to overturn on the A1 at Boroughbridge

Homeowners in York are on flood alert after heavy rainfall and high winds hit North Yorkshire.

Riverside properties are at risk in Kings Staith, Queens Staith, South Esplanade and New Walk, the Environment Agency said.

Six flood warnings are in place at several locations on the River Ouse, River Nidd and River Ure.

Firefighters have dealt with flooding at homes in the Skipton area. A boat in York was also in danger of overturning.

The Environment Agency (EA) said the river level in York was at 3.5m (11ft 6in) and was expected to remain high for several hours.

High water levels have been reported at Roecliffe Caravan Park in Boroughbridge at the River Ure, Cattal and Hunsingore at the River Nidd.

On the River Ouse, warnings are in place at St George's Field and Naburn Lock.

'Very wet'

The EA's Karen Byrom said its teams were busy pumping water at Boroughbridge and Selby.

"As well as the wind we've had a very wet 48 hours as well," she said.

"The rain overnight on Tuesday caused the river levels to rise and then further rain last night - in some places we had up to 35mm - which has caused the river levels to rise again."

North Yorkshire police said they had received reports of trees falling down and signs, fencing and traffic cones being blown across county roads.

Three vehicles overturned on the A1 at Leeming Bar and Boroughbridge.

Recovery teams had to wait for the wind to ease before they could clear the blocked carriageway. The road has now reopened.

The fire service said crews had also been called to two incidents of cars trapped in flood water, one near Skipton and the other in Acaster Malbis, near York, where two elderly people had to be rescued.