THE North was last night bracing itself for a repeat of the summer’s floods as tropical storm Nadine, which ravaged the US, showed it still had a sting in the tail.
Winds of up 60mph inland and up to 70mph at the coast hit the region early yesterday.
The Met Office issued widespread flood alerts in the North-East and North Yorkshire for the next 24 hours – at one point numbering 50 – and there were predictions that up to four inches of rain could fall in places.
By 8pm, the Environment Agency had issued 13 flood warnings, requiring immediate action to combat flooding.
The River Skerne, in The Carr areas including Mainsforth, Bradbury and Morden, near Darlington, were judged at serious risk.
There were also alerts for the Upper Tees, with the possibility of flooding in low-lying areas of the Tees Valley , including the Teesdale Way footpath at Croft.
The River Gaunless, in County Durham, and Leven and Lower Tees, both Teesside , coastal streams in Redcar and Cleveland and the Wear estuary from Chester-le-Street were also the subject of alerts.
Durham Police said that with the rain expected to continue overnight, there was a risk of flooding in low-lying areas.
Brian Buckley, Durham County Council’s strategic highways manager, said: “Our highways inspectors and Streetscene emergency staff will continue to monitor conditions overnight and will have crews on standby to deal with blocked drains or flooding.
“We would ask motorists to take extra care, allowing additional time for their journeys and leaving extra space between vehicles.
“We would also advise residents to check our website and those of the police, fire service and Highways Agency for updates.”
High winds brought trees down in Forge Lane, Chesterle- Street, and Elemore Lane, in High Pittington, near Durham City.
Motorists faced problems in Ferryhill after a tree fell into the road in Gypsy Lane and another into Merrington Road.
Drivers were able to pass the fallen trees with care and there were no reports of injuries.
Warning signs were put up at Newton Gap viaduct, Bishop Auckland, urging caravans and lorries to take other routes due to the high winds and rain.
A spokesman for the North Yorshire Fire and Rescue Service said one person had been rescued from a car trapped on flooded road between Gilling West and Skeeby, near Richmond , while four cars were abandoned at the flooded bridge on the A6108 in Skeeby.
The Environment Agency reported just before 9pm that it was sending a team to Crofton- Tees, near Darlington, to close floodgates in the village.
The Highways Agency urged drivers to check weather reports before setting out.
The Met Office also issued a warning there was a particularly high risk that high-sided vehicles and other vulnerable vehicles, such as caravans and motorcycles, could be blown over on exposed roads.
Meanwhile, officials say an upgraded warning system will give residents in flood-hit areas more time to prepare.
The Environment Agency held an event in Durham Town Hall yesterday to publicise the city’s flood warning system.
The system, which was improved using data from previous floods, was put in place in June. Warnings indicate that flooding is expected and action should be taken, and creates four new flood warning areas in the city instead of one.
For details of the free warning service call Floodline on 08459-881188 or visit the Environment Agency website at environment-agency.gov.uk For live traffic and travel updates to to northernecho.co.
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