York had faced the prospect of the worst floods since the 1982 disaster after the Foss Flood Barrier was hit by a partial power failure earlier today.

City of York Council said back-flooding along the Foss could have hit properties in Fossgate, Walmgate and possibly the Huntington Road area.

Residents in the immediate vicinity had been warned to take precautionary measures, such as moving furniture to upper rooms, as the Environment Agency issued a Severe Flood Warning.

The council said Environment Agency officers had visited premises to offer advice following the failure in the barrier, which was installed to protect properties after the floods of 1982 caused devastation.

The warning was issued as the agency warned that flood levels along the Ouse could reach between 5 and 5.5 metres above normal around midnight tonight.

"These are levels near and above the 1982 flood levels, but at the moment, the flood is thought unlikely to breach the defences installed since 1982," said a spokesman.

But some properties along the Ouse and Foss were already hit by lunchtime as water broke through defences.

John Simmons, City of York Council's emergency planning co-ordinator, said the failure of the Foss barrier meant it was working at only half capacity.

Sergeant Jim Dawson, of York police, said the problems were compounded by spring tides which would push North Sea waters up the Humber and the Ouse up to Naburn.

Firefighters were called in when water from the Ouse got into an electrical sub-station near the Emperor's Wharf building in Skeldergate, causing it to short-circuit and prompting a series of bangs.

Six-hundred homes and businesses were left without power as a result.

Staff at Avis Rent-a-Car in Layerthorpe moved some cars away from the side of the Foss because the water rose so high.

Water reached the top of the bar at The King's Arms, in King's Staith, the Lowther was under water and the basement at the riverside bar, the Pitcher & Piano, in Coney Street, was under three feet of water.

The City Screen, in Coney Street, was hoping to stay open despite water getting in to the basement and the Internet caf. Water also forced its way into the York Dungeon.

Police said roads closed in the York area included the A166 at Stamford Bridge, Huntington Road in York, Skeldergate, Main Street in Poppleton, Acaster Lane near the Ship Inn.

newsdesk@ycp.co.uk