It’s the first day of astronomical autumn, and York’s River Ouse is in flood.
Water levels peaked at 3.14m at 4am this morning following the torrential rain on Friday. The top of the normal range is 1.9m.
As is normal, most of the city is unaffected. King’s Staith and South Esplanade are underwater.
Some of Tower Gardens is also flooded, although the area nearest Clifford’s Tower is still accessible.
St George’s Field Car Park is unaffected and operating as normal.
While the water has come over Queen’s Staith, it hasn’t reached Skeldergate.
Terry Avenue is also unaffected, and the flood barriers on this side of the river remain open.
Despite this, Rowntree Park is closed. A sign on the gates says it is shut “due to the risk of flooding. We will re-open as soon as we can”.
River levels are expecting to keep falling and will be back to normal levels tomorrow (Tuesday).
In an update issued this morning, the Environment Agency said: “Levels have peaked on the River Ouse in York. Levels will remain high throughout Monday.
“Flooding is affecting riverside footpaths and low-lying land in York and to the south as far as Naburn Lock, including Kings Staith, Queens Staith, and South Esplanade.
“We have closed flood gates in York and the Foss Barrier is in operation.”
