Red flood warnings for York as river levels rise after Storm Babet

Flooding is expected at riverside properties after the storm hit the city yesterday (October 20). Warning have also been issued in St George's Field carpark, Rowntree Park and Queen's Staith in South Esplanade, Friars Terrace and Tower Place.

It is also now expected to reach Naburn Lock Buildings and Lock Cottages as warnings have been issued for these areas.

The flood water has already reached properties in King's Staith and riverside areas through the city from Lendall Bridge to Millennium Bridge.

The Ouse has already broken its banks this morning (October 21) (Image: Ed Horner)

City of York Council said it has closed St George’s Field, Esplande and Rowntree Car Parks based on forecasts for the river levels over the weekend. Councillors have also opted to close Rowntree Park.

Levels rose through the night and hit just over three metres at 9.30am this morning (October 21), according to the York Viking Recorder. The Ouse is expected to peak at 3.6m at around 3.30am tomorrow morning (October 22).

The flood gates are now closed throughout the city.

The river is expected to peak at around 3.6m in the early hours of Sunday (October 22) (Image: Ed Horner)

York-based rail firm LNER has issued another 'do not travel' warning to customers today as the storm's severe weather is causing major disruption to its train services.

The line between Doncaster and Leeds is blocked due to flooding and there are no LNER services operating north of Edinburgh towards Aberdeen or Inverness in either direction.

Three people have died since the storm first hit the UK on Wednesday, while a search continues in Aberdeenshire following a report of a man trapped in a vehicle in floodwater.

On Friday, a man in his 60s died after getting caught in fast-flowing flood water in the town of Cleobury Mortimer in Shropshire.

Police Scotland previously said a falling tree hit a van near Forfar in Angus on Thursday evening, killing the 56-year-old driver.

River levels will continue to rise in York (Image: Ed Horner)

A 57-year-old woman also died on Thursday after being swept into a river in the region.

More than 360 flood warnings – where less dangerous flooding is expected – are in place around much of England including the North East, North West, Yorkshire, Midlands and parts of the South East.

The Energy Networks Association said around 100,000 customers had been affected by power cuts due to Storm Babet but as of Saturday morning 96 per cent had been reconnected, leaving 4,000 still without power.

Around 55,000 people were left without power on Friday as a result of the storm.

Some 45,000 people were reconnected to the grid as of the evening, the Energy Networks Association said.