SEVERAL motorists have had to be rescued after a river burst its banks in North Yorkshire.
Police and fire and rescue have been called to several incidents along the River Ure, near Hawes.
"Since we came on duty tonight we have been fairly busy with flooding calls. This has been in the area of the A684 in Hawes and round the Bainbridge and Leyburn areas," said a spokeswoman for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue.
"We have carried out some rescues were people have been stuck in flood water in vehicles and we have also attended a property in Gayle, near Hawes, which had flooding inside the house after the river broke its banks."
She said crews attended the A684 near Bainbridge after reports of another car stuck in the water.
"We have got crews from Hawes, Richmond and Ripon with the swift water rescue team on their way to that incident," she said.
North Yorkshire Police said it was involved in three incidents.
"At Bell Busk at Skipton, near Aire Bridge, we have a vehicle stuck in floodwater and the locals describe it as the worse they’ve seen it in years," a spokesman said.
"The River Ure burst its banks at Hawes A684 and the road is closed at this time, again there is also a vehicle stuck.
"Thirdly, at Brompton and the River Swale there is flooding around Easby and Richmond with some property and caravan parks affected."
He said all incidents were being continuously assessed and managed by police and other services.
The Environment Agency said the area was on flood alert.
"A flood alert has been issued for the Upper River Ure. River levels are rising due to the heavy rainfall across the catchment. The River Ure level at Low Houses, Bainbridge and Kilgrim continues to rise," a spokesman said. "We expect river levels further downstream to react to the persistent rainfall overnight."
At 12.45am, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said it seemed the worst of the weather was over.
"The water levels are now receding, the rain has stopped" she said. "We still have a crew from Hawes at the property in Gayle pumping out water, but we have had no other incidents since."
Elsewhere, although the service had had a number of calls, there were no casualties.
"They (fire crews) have pushed cars out of flood water, but nothing serious," the spokeswoman added.
Do you know anyone who was involved or do you have photos of the flooding? Email matt.westcott@nne.co.uk or call 01325-505065.
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