York: flood alert issued for Upper River Ouse including King's Staith

The Environment Agency has issued the warning for the upper River Ouse and urged people to “be prepared”.

Areas affected are riverside footpaths and low-lying land in York and to the south as far as Naburn Lock, including King’s Staith, Queen’s Staith, and South Esplanade.

As of 2.20pm the River Ouse level at the Viking Recorder was 2.62 metres and rising. 1.9 metres is the top of the river’s normal range.

Flooding at King's Staith at 10am (Image: Dylan Connell)

From 10am parts of King's Staith and Queen's Staith near the river were under water. 

Businesses in the area remain open. 

Queen's Staith flooded at 1.50pm (Image: Dylan Connell)

The Environment Agency says the river level peaked at 2.66 metres at 12.45pm and has started to fall. It is expected to return to its normal level from midnight.  

A spokesperson for the agency said: “Monitor local water levels and weather conditions.

“Avoid using low lying footpaths or entering areas prone to flooding.

“Start acting on your flood plan if you have one.”

Read next:

• 'Think again!': rough sleepers' message to council about axing Salvation Army funding
• Car trapped in flood water in North Yorkshire – emergency services called
• Recognise this York building? This is how it looked a century ago

No rain has been forecast for York today.

According to the Met Office, York can expect clouds and brief spells of sunshine from 11am to 12pm and again at 4pm.

New Walk riverside path was hit by flooding today (Image: Mike Laycock)

Temperatures are forecast to sit at around 20C from 12pm to 6pm before falling to around 14C overnight.

More clouds are expected tomorrow when temperatures are forecast to sit at around 18C.