News
Heavy rain in the region - Latest updates
Dated: 06 Jul 2012
Update - Saturday 12.40pm
Police are reminding motorists to take care following heavy rain across the force area.
Although the heavy rain has lifted there is standing water on the roads in many areas and caution is still needed on the roads.
We will continue to work with partners and monitor the weather and river levels in affected areas throughout the weekend and have officers out in our communities for support.
Road closures remain in place at:
Northumberland
· Crawcrook Lane, Wylam
· North Road, Berwick
· Twizell Bridge
Gateshead
· Kyo Lane
· Haugh Lane
There are no roads closed in South Tyneside, Newcastle or North Tyneside at this time, however there is standing water on:
· Lizard Lane, South Tyneside
· Tankerville Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle
· Means Drive, Burradon, North Tyneside.
People seeking advice about flooding in their area can ring the Environment Agency Floodline on 0845 988 1188
For the latest Met Office information visit - www.metoffice.gov.uk
Anyone with any concerns can contact police on 101.
Update - Saturday 10.30am
Police are advising motorists to drive carefully as there is surface water on the roads in many areas.
Although the heavy rain from last night has lifted, officers are stressing that caution is still needed on the roads.
Northumbria Police Chief Insp Sarah Pitt said: “We are advising people to bear in mind that although the sun is out in many places now, we had some extremely heavy rainfall last night and there is still standing water on many roads.
"We would still encourage people to allow extra time for any journeys, reduce speed, and be alert for heavy accumulations of water - slow down going through them and test your brakes afterwards.”
We saw particularly bad weather in Northumberland in the early hours of this morning and Crawcrook Lane in Wylam remains closed.
There is localised flooding around Waren Mill and restricted access to the caravan site.
In Berwick, North Road is closed at the entrance to Crispin Road and Church Road and Twizell Bridge is closed.
In Gateshead Kyo Lane at Greenside and Haugh Lane, Blaydon are both closed, and in Sunderland the riverside pathway at St Mary’s Way at the rear of St Mary’s Car Park is closed.
There are no roads closed in South Tyneside, Newcastle or North Tyneside at this time, however there is standing water on Lizard Lane in South Tyneside and Means Drive, Burradon, in North Tyneside.
We will continue to work with partners and monitor the weather and river levels in affected areas throughout the weekend and have officers out in our communities for support.
People seeking advice about flooding in their area can ring the Environment Agency Floodline on 0845 988 1188
Anyone with any concerns can contact police on 101.
Update - Saturday 6.30am
Last night rain started spreading from the south of the region and worked it’s way north across the North East.
Extra officers have been on patrol throughout the night making sure our communities have had the support they need.
We have been working with the environment agency, Met office and local authorities to ensure minimal disruption and that people were safe.
Throughout the night some roads were closed due to surface water and localised flooding.
A small number of people in Lukes Lane, South Tyneside were provided with sandbags to protect their homes and were provided with alternative accommodation by the local authority overnight.
Crawcook Lane in Wylam is the only road that remains closed.
The A1 in Northumberland between Belford and Haggerston Castle still has surface water but is passable with extreme care.
A number of homes in Warren Mill have been evacuated as a precaution, however, some residents have decided not to leave their property.
All those at a nearby caravan park have been moved to a café which is on higher ground.
We have extra officers in the area to provide support and help residents.
Update - Saturday 4.40am
Following reports of heavy rain in north Northumberland officers are evacuating a number of homes in Warren Mill and the nearby caravan park in Belford as a precaution.
Police are working with staff from the environment agency and the local authority to move residents from the area to Purdy Lodge in Belford.
Extra officers are in the area to support the community.
Any residents that are concerned can contact the Floodline on 0845 988 1188 for advice and up to date information.
In an emergency use 999.
Advice for residents being evacuated:
- Remember to take with you any essential medication, some warm clothing, personal documents (including insurance policies).
- Unplug all electrical items, turn off gas, electricity and water supply.
- Close and look all windows and doors
- If it is safe to do so, check on your neighbours, especially if you live near elderly or vulnerable people who may need extra help.
Update - Saturday 4am
This is an update in relation to weather conditions in the Northumbria Police area this evening.
There are currently six roads closed across the whole of the Force Area at this time.
They are –
North Tyneside
Road closed between Sandy Lane Roundabout A1056 and the A189 roundabout next to the Fenwick’s factory.
Northumberland
Crowhall Lane, Cramlington
Brockwell Road, Cramlington
Kiln Pit Hill, East Tynedale
Crowcrook Lane / Stead Lane, East Tynedale
Fair Moor Junction on the A192, Morpeth
A1 between Hadstone to Belford
We are working with local authority staff to get the roads re-opened as soon as possible.
The rain has stopped in the majority of the force area – however we are still seeing some showers in parts of north Northumberland.
We continue to have officers out in communities to support local residents and provide reassurance.
Some of the regions roads remain potentially dangerous and we need drivers to watch out for large patches of standing water, to lower their speeds and drive according to local conditions.
We expect the rain to head out of the force area completely on Saturday morning.
We will continue to work with local authorities and our partner agencies to keep residents informed and safe.
Update - Saturday 1am
This is an update in relation to the weather conditions in the Northumbria Police area this evening.
Information from our partners at the Met Office and Environment agency is that the rain that we have seen in the south of the force area is moving north and is currently affecting Northumberland.
If the inclement weather continues to move as it has then we expect it to head out of the force area completely by Saturday morning.
Roads currently affected by surface water and are closed:
Gateshead
A694 – Between Blaydon roundabout to Winlaton Mill.
Northumberland
Crowhall Lane - Between Brockwell and the roundabout
A68 – between Riding Mill and Kiln Pit
Police are continuing to remind motorists to take care on roads, drive safely and be aware of standing water.
Officers will continue to patrol areas where we have seen heavy rain and localised flooding and offer to support to motorists and resident that need it.
Update: Friday 11pm
This is an update in relation to the weather conditions in the Northumbria Police area this evening.
We have seen heavy rain over the last couple of hours across the force area.
We have no reports of any road closures at this time however we are aware of water gathering on the following roads and areas;
- A184 Newcastle Road
- A1058 Coast Road and Norham Road
- A193 Church Bank Road, Wallsend, westbound
- A1068 The Old Ellington Road, towards Ashington
- Sheepwash Rd, neat Bothal
- Widdrington Station
We have extra officers out on patrol in these areas and other areas where problems are expected.
We are working in partnership with local authorities across the whole of the Northumbria area to try and clear roads and ensure the road network stays open.
Anyone choosing to drive in the weather is advised to take extra care and avoid the areas where surface water is an issue.
The latest information we have suggests that it will continue to rain for the next few hours.
We continue to urge people to continue to check local media and agency websites for updates.
Update: Friday 7.30pm
Police are issuing advice in relation to heavy rain expected this evening.
The Met Office is advising that areas around north Newcastle and Northumberland can expect showers and spells of heavy rain this evening.
The rain is expected to last until the early hours of Saturday morning and this could cause localised flooding in some areas and problems for some local rivers.
The river Pont, Coquet, Belford and Wansbeck are those that could be affected and the Environment agency are monitoring them.
Officers in the Ponteland, Alnwick, Rothbury, Belford and Morpeth areas are carrying out extra patrols and providing a heightened visible police presence. Anyone with any concerns can speak to them and extra officers are on stand-by if needed.
Northumbria Police Superintendent Andy McDyer said: "Acting on the information from our partners at the Met Office and Environment agency, we are getting extra officers out to the areas that could see the most rain this evening to offer reassurance and support for local people.
"We continue to advise residents that might experience flooding to plan ahead as much as possible, get advice from the relevant agencies and prepare in advance.
"We don't want to unnecessarily cause concern but we want everyone to be as prepared as possible and make sure that those affected have all the support they need.
"Anyone caught out by the rain and on the roads should stay calm and avoid any flooded roads and areas where possible.
"Allow extra time for any journeys and drive according to the conditions where you are. Reduce speed, keep your distances and make sure you are visible to other road users by having your lights and fog lights on. Be alert for heavy accumulations of water and slow down going through them."
In an emergency people can contact police by ringing 999.
Update: Friday 7:30am
Northumbria Police are warning people to be prepared for heavy rain and possible flooding this weekend.
It comes after warnings issued by the Met Office and the Environment Agency about heavy rain and adverse rain conditions.
The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning for the region over the next few days and the Environment Agency is warning of localised flooding.
We are expecting spells of heavy and persistent rain in the North East and are advising the public to be prepared for surface water flooding, an increased likelihood of river flooding and a disruption to travel.
Officers are advising the public to be prepared as best they can for the weather and to monitor local media and agency websites for up to date news and information.
Motorists are being advised to take care on roads, drive safely and watch out for standing water.
Police Operations Chief Insp Sarah Pitt said: "We aren't expecting to see flash floods like we did across Tyneside last week but some areas are experiencing heavy rain and we could possibly start to see some localised flooding.
"I'd ask residents, especially in flood prone areas, to get advice from the relevant agencies and to plan ahead as much as possible.
"I'd ask motorists to avoid making unnecessary journeys and to avoid any flooded roads and areas.
"Allow extra time for any journeys and drive according to the conditions where you are. Reduce speed, keep your distances and make sure you are visible to other road users by having your lights and fog lights on. Be alert for heavy accumulations of water - slow down going through them and test your brakes afterwards.
"We are working with our partners at the Local Authorities, the Met Office and the Environment agency and doing all we can to keep our communities safe."
In an emergency ring police on 999 or 101 in a non urgent situation.
For information on the latest weather warnings in the area visit - www.metoffice.gov.uk
For information and advice on flooding visit - www.environment-agency.gov.uk