THE River Tees has risen by more than 10ft in the last few hours, according to the Environment Agency.

Levels in Yarm are currently 3.59m (12ft) more trhan 10ft higher than normal.

The Northern Echo: Floods on the Tees

A major rescue operation is going on Yarm but efforts to keep the waters back have been hampered by a burst water main.

The Northern Echo: River levels on the Tees at Yarm

The Environment Agency says the river level on the Skerne is 1.74 metres in Darlington - close to the level at which flooding is possible.

The highest ever recorded at this location is 2.12 metres.

At Broken Scar, on the edge of the town, the level is 2.67 metres.

The typical river level range for this location is between 0.54 metres and 1.70 metres.

The highest river level recorded at this location is 3.28 metres and the river level reached 3.25 metres on November 18, 2009.

The Northern Echo: Floods