Flood warnings issued in North East after weather warning

The North East was hit with lashings of rain today as it was gripped by the threat of floods and further stormy weather.

Waves as high as the lighthouse itself were seen crashing against the harbour in Seaham, County Durham as the region saw downpours of rain and windy weather.

A yellow warning for rain was issued by the Met Office covering the region earlier this week putting the region on notice of disruption to transport as well as the risk of flood and power cuts.

Darlington in the rainy weather. (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO) The forecasters said: "A period of heavy and persistent rain is expected to affect parts of northern England and north Midlands during much of Thursday.

"The heaviest rainfall is likely to be across the Pennines and North York Moors where 80-100 mm of rainfall could accumulate during the course of the day.

Weather in Tynemouth. (Image: Will Walker / NNP) "Elsewhere, totals are likely to be lower, reaching 20-30 mm widely but with a risk of 50-70 mm in some locations."

Flood alerts were also issued for the low River Wear through Durham City and for Rivers Derwent, Team, Don and estuarine tributaries through Consett.

Overall, the Environment Agency has 30 flood warnings in place across England, meaning flooding is expected, and 85 flood alerts, meaning flooding is possible.

Rain is set to continue throughout the evening and into the early hours of the morning.

Elsewhere across the country, pictures showed St Ives in Cambridgeshire has been severely impacted with floods after the River Great Ouse burst its banks.

Swans were also seen swimming through flood water in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire.

Here are just a few pictures of the rainy weather from the region.

Weather in Tynemouth. (Image: Will Walker / NNP) High waves in Seaham, County Durham. (Image: Owen Humphreys)