Flood alerts issued for Wakefield, Pontefract and Castleford as Storm Christoph arrives

Flood alerts have been issued for large areas of the Wakefield district, as Storm Christoph arrives in the UK.
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Areas of Wakefield, Pontefract and Castleford are now subject to flood alerts issued by the Environment Agency, meaning that flooding is possible within the next few days.

An amber alert for rain has also been issued for the district, with the Met Office warning that flooding, travel disruption and power cuts are likely.

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Three flood alerts affecting the Wakefield district are currently in place.

Flood alerts have been issued for large areas of the Wakefield district, as Storm Christoph arrives in the UK.Flood alerts have been issued for large areas of the Wakefield district, as Storm Christoph arrives in the UK.
Flood alerts have been issued for large areas of the Wakefield district, as Storm Christoph arrives in the UK.

What is a flood alert?

The Environment Agency issues three levels of flood warnings: alerts, warnings and severe warnings.

Flood alerts are the lowest lowest of the three levels, and mean that flooding is possible in designated areas.

People who live in flood alert areas are encouraged to pack a bag including medicines and insurance documents, and check the relevant warnings frequently.

Areas of Wakefield, Pontefract and Castleford are now subject to flood alerts issued by the Environment Agency, meaning that flooding is possible within the next few days. Photo: Environment AgencyAreas of Wakefield, Pontefract and Castleford are now subject to flood alerts issued by the Environment Agency, meaning that flooding is possible within the next few days. Photo: Environment Agency
Areas of Wakefield, Pontefract and Castleford are now subject to flood alerts issued by the Environment Agency, meaning that flooding is possible within the next few days. Photo: Environment Agency
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You can also sign up for flood warnings for your home or business on the government website, and receive updates by text, phone or email.

Where are Wakefield's flood warnings?

There are currently three flood alerts in place in the Wakefield district.

In Castleford, the Environment Agency (EA) warns that flooding is possible in the Middle River Aire Catchment area, which includes parts of the Fairburn Ings Nature Reserve, Allerton Bywater and Fryston, as well as Barnsdale Road.

Issuing the alert, the EA said: "River levels are forecast to rise across the middle Aire Catchment as a result of persistent rainfall, from Tuesday morning, 19/01/21, until Thursday morning.

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"Consequently, 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."

A separate warning, for the lower River Calder catchment, also covers sections of Castleford, Normanton and Wakefield.

Areas of Methley, Stanley, Calder Vale, Thornes and Horbury are among those areas at risk of flooding.

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The EA urged people in these areas to prepare for flooding, and said: "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."

A third flood alert has been issued for the south east of the district, affecting Hemsworth, Featherstone and Ackworth.

Part of the River Went catchment, these areas are at risk of small amounts of flooding in the coming days.