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Homes flooded in North Yorkshire town after heavy rain

Original source (on modern site)

Homes were flooded after heavy rain fell in a North Yorkshire town.

Just under two inches of rain fell in less than one hour in Knaresborough amid a yellow thunderstorm warning from the Met Office yesterday (Monday, May 6), North Yorkshire Weather Updates said.

Four fire crews, police and council officers were called to the town at 6pm and worked for two hours to pump water from homes, take vulnerable people to safe areas and clear the mess caused by the floods, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said. 

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service station manager Dave Dixon said: "In the space of two hours from around 6pm last night an extreme localised weather event saw the equivalent of 32 millimetres of rain per hour fall in Knaresborough. The speed and volume of heavy rain led to flooding in some properties and overwhelmed local drainage systems for a period of time.

"Knaresborough Town Council and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service led the response on the ground ensuring people were safe. The town council has a robust emergency response plan and this was put in place ensuring people were safe and where appropriate electivity supplies were turned off.

"Two vulnerable households were evacuated to temporary accommodation, some other people chose to leave themselves but most chose to stay because the water had not entered their property or they preferred to go upstairs to safe space.

"Four fire appliances attended the scene, along with North Yorkshire Police and North Yorkshire Council staff.

"I would like to thank all those involved in last night's response  and to reassure local residents that the agencies involved will also be on the scene this morning to follow up on damage and any assistance anyone may need."

North Yorkshire Weather Updates shared a photograph of High Bridge, near Mother Shipton's Cave, which shows floodwater covering the road as drivers pass through it.

The Met Office's yellow warning was stood down at 9pm last night.

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