Storm Christoph: Two flood alerts in place across Leeds as residents urged to activate flood defences

River levels are rising due to heavy rain overnight as Storm Christoph is set to bring widespread flooding, gales and snow to parts of the UK.

The heavy rainfall puts the River Aire and three becks in the city at risk of flooding and the Met Office has issued a severe amber weather warning.

Heavy rain is forecast in Leeds until Thursday morning, with high river levels and flooding possible from midday on Tuesday.

The flood alerts have been issued for the Middle River Aire catchment and Wyke Beck, Meanwood Beck and Wortley Beck catchments.

A message on the Government's flood information service said: "Flooding of property, roads and farmland is possible from Tuesday morning onwards.

"Areas most at risk are low lying land, roads and farmland.

"As a result we expect to see high river levels from around midday on Tuesday.

"We will be monitoring closely to assess locations where we may need to issue flood warnings."

People living in the catchment areas at risk of flooding are urged to put out their flood defenses to prepare.

The warning continued: "Our field teams are out today, checking defences and clearing screens ahead of the rainfall.

"We are liaising closely with our partners to ensure they are ready to respond.

"Please put your flood plan into action and activate any property flood protection products you may have, such as flood barriers and air brick covers.

"Avoid using low lying footpaths near watercourses and plan driving routes to avoid roads which may be flooded."

People are being urged to prepare as an amber weather warning for rain was issued by the Met Office for Tuesday to Thursday for central northern England, affecting an area around Leeds, Manchester and Sheffield and stretching down to Peterborough.

A major incident has been declared in South Yorkshire in preparation for potential flooding, said Ros Jones, mayor of Doncaster.

In a tweet, Ms Jones said emergency protocols were instigated on Sunday, with sandbags handed out in flood-risk areas. She said plans would run alongside the region’s Covid-19 response, adding: “I do not want people to panic, but flooding is possible so please be prepared.”

The Environment Agency described the combination of torrential rain and melting snow as a “volatile situation”, as councils prepare for possible evacuations should a severe flood warning be issued.

Catherine Wright, acting executive director for flood and coastal risk management at the Environment Agency, said: “That rain is falling on very wet ground and so we are very concerned that it’s a very volatile situation and we are expecting significant flooding to occur on the back of that weather.”

She said the Environment Agency will be working with local authorities to help with evacuation efforts should a severe flood warning be issued, adding: “If you do need to evacuate then that is allowed within the Covid rules the Government has.”

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