York Live
York’s Bloom! Festival will not go ahead this year – but will be back next summer
Make It York has today announced that Bloom! – York’s festival of horticulture – will not go ahead this summer.
The event was planned to take place across the city from 20-28 June, but has been cancelled due to the escalating uncertainties surrounding the impact of Covid-19.
MD of Make It York Sean Bullick said:
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It is with deep sadness that we have made this decision, but ultimately it is the right thing to do given the uncertainties that we all face as a result of the ongoing coronavirus situation.
We have had discussions with our festival main sponsor, York BID and our other valued partners and sponsors across the city and we are all in agreement that this is, unfortunately, a necessary step we must take at this time.
The BID and Make It York are now looking at how to bring Bloom! back in 2021.
We will be working with @YorkBID and other partners & sponsors to look at how we can bring Bloom! back in 2021 and cultivate another exciting programme of activity for residents and visitors. Further details to come later in the year… pic.twitter.com/bJDFV40m6i
— Make It York (@MakeItYork) March 31, 2020
Further details will be announced later in the year.
More cases of coronavirus confirmed in York
The latest official figures show that the number of cases of coronavirus in York has risen again.
As of today (Saturday, 21 March) there are now eight confirmed cases in the city.
That is a rise of two on the figures from yesterday. It means the number has doubled since Wednesday.
Meanwhile the total in North Yorkshire stands at 16 – two more than reported yesterday (Friday).
Nationally the coronavirus death toll in the UK has reached 233 after NHS England said a further 53 people had died in England after testing positive.
It comes as Fiona Phillips, City of York Council Assistant Director for Public Health, shared some advice for people on maintaining your wellbeing.
In what is an anxious and difficult time for many of us, Fiona Phillips, our Assistant Director for Public Health, shares some advice for you and your community on maintaining your wellbeing.
For the latest information please visit https://t.co/VHoyymdjYD pic.twitter.com/rTWmNXpP5E
— City of York Council (@CityofYork) March 21, 2020
York health group closes two doctors’ surgeries
York Medical Group has updated its working arrangements to adapt to the new circumstances.
It has closed its Water Lane and Woodthorpe surgeries. All doctor’s appointments will be changed to telephone consultations.
All nurse appointments have been cancelled for now. Nurses will contact patients to discuss rebooking appointments.
But it says:
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If you need same day care our service is still running. Please call as normal and a GP will advise the best course of action.
It is locking the doors at all surgeries – they “will only be opened for those patients that have appointments, this is to keep staff safe so we can keep surgeries working”.
The group asks people not to visit the surgery to drop off a prescription. The advice”
“Please sign up for the NHS App or ring the surgery and verbally sign up for online services via the query lines.
“If you cannot access these services please can you post your prescription to the surgery.”
Full details on the York Medical Group website.
York council issues statement on school closures
City of York Council have just issued this statement following the school closures announcement today:
City of York Council would like to reassure schools, early years and childcare providers, parents, carers and families that it’s continuing to support all education settings following today’s government announcement that schools and early years’ settings in England will be closing as of Friday afternoon until further notice.
The council is currently working through the details of today’s government announcement, particularly how we support schools to provide education settings to vulnerable young people and children of key workers. We continue to look further at how we can continue to support schools to provide children and young people with learning and development opportunities throughout this difficult time.
Cllr Ian Cuthbertson, Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education, said:
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We understand this is an incredibly difficult time for all schools, early years and childcare providers, parents, carers and families.
Throughout the outbreak, we have been communicating and working with all education settings to keep them updated and help them prepare as best as they can.
The council will work through the detail of the government’s announcement immediately. Making sure support is in place for children and families in the coming days in our priority and this includes exploring how we support the provision of free meals too.
For more information on school closures visit york.gov.uk/schoolclosures.
For more details about coronavirus visit york.gov.uk/coronavirus
Bridge cleared after rush hour accident
The three-vehicle collision on Clifton Bridge is now clear.
Police and ambulance crews went to the accident, which was reported at 7.50am. It was described by police as “very minor”.
The scene was clear by 8.35pm.
York crews tackle three fires and one water leak overnight
Fire crews from York were called out to four incidents overnight.
At 5.33pm a York crew went to a report of water leaking from a first floor flat in Bootham and into a commercial property below.
They entered the flat through an unlocked window and isolated the leak on a shower unit.
At 9.05pm a Huntington crew put out a fire in a large metal wheelie bin on Huntington Road. It is believed to have been started deliberately by youths.
A few minutes later at 9.14pm, crews from York and Acomb were alerted to a fire in a home on Farrar Street.
It was in the fuse cupboard, and caused fire, heat and smoke damage. Firefighters carried out an inspection and left the incident in the hands of the landlord and Northern Powergrid.
And at 11.07pm a crew from Acomb responded to a smoke alarm going off in a commercial property at Tockwith west of York.
On arrival they discovered a fire in a commercial kiln, which resulted in damage to wooden staging. They put out the fire. The cause is believed to be accidental.
Accident on York bridge causing delays
Reports are coming in of a crash on Clifton Bridge in York.
York Travel tweeted at 7.57am:
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Reports of a road traffic collision on Clifton Bridge, queuing traffic both ways.
It is understood three vehicles are involved in the collision.
Traffic is building up in the Water End area and people are being asked to take alternative routes.
Police warn fraudsters are exploiting coronavirus to scam money
Fraudsters are exploit coronavirus concerns to con people from their money, North Yorkshire Police has warned.
The force wants people to be aware that these scams are on the rise.
Since February 2020, the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) has identified 21 reports of fraud where coronavirus was mentioned in Britain, with victim losses totalling over £800k.
Ten of these reports were made by victims that attempted to purchase protective face masks from fraudulent sellers.
Fraudsters are also sending out coronavirus-themed phishing emails in an attempt to trick people into opening malicious attachments or revealing sensitive personal and financial details.
Fraudsters, purporting to be from legitimate organisations affiliated with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organisation (WHO), are contacting potential victims over email.
They claim to be able to provide the recipient with a list of coronavirus infected people in their area. In order to access this information, the victim needs to click on a link, which leads to a malicious website, or is asked to make a payment in Bitcoin
Firefighters work with paramedics after two elderly people collapse
Shortly after midnight this morning (Monday) firefighters were called out to assist an ambulance crew to help two elderly people in distress.
A fire crew from Acomb were called out to gain access to a property on Langholme Drive in York to treat the two occupants who had collapsed.
They used specialist tools to enter the house, enabling the medics to treat the couple.
Family of river victim fear he might have been murdered
The family of Joe Rainham, whose body was recovered from the River Ouse in October, have voiced their fears that he might have been murdered.
His brother Brighton and aunt Media have spoken to the York Press about their concerns over how he died.
Joe, a chef from Wilton Rise, was 33 when he died. Family members are convinced that his body was dumped in the river after he had died elsewhere after suffering from foul play.
Media told the Press:
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If he had suffered a cardiac arrest as a result of the shock from falling into the river, he would have ingested water. Therefore, he must have suffered the arrest previously – unless it happened on the bank and he then fell in.
But he was fit and healthy, and he hated water and never went near the river.”
They are campaigning for an inquest into his death. The coroner has said a decision about that would be made this week.
Car hits a wall in York
A car left a busy junction and hit a wall in York today (Sunday).
It happened on Clifton Green at about 2.30pm.
Police and fire crews from Acomb and York stations attended the crash, which involved only one car.
No one was trapped or injured. But the accident did cause traffic delays for a while.
We are currently dealing with an RTC on Clifton Green , traffic starting to build up and may cause delays for a short while as it is a major junction in York . @minsterfm @BBCYork
— NPT York North (@NPTyorknorth) March 8, 2020
Shared Earth sales up despite poor weather
Shared Earth sales are up – despite the challenges of the weather.
According to a report in The Parliamentary Review, the Fair Trade company’s premises in York have been affected by floods caused by the recent storms.
Nevertheless its sales increased by 50 per cent for the 11 months of the year ending March 31 2020, according to Shared Earth managing director, Jeremy Piercy.
He told The Parliamentary Review:
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This growth follows an average 30 per cent increase in sales every year for the last six years, confirming the huge trend towards eco products in particular and the fast-growing awareness of the climate crisis.
The big increase in sales this year, when many other gift businesses are struggling, reflects the surge in awareness [of climate change] in the last year alone.
Police disperse youths after anti-social behaviour
Police have called on parents to keep tabs on what their children are doing after anti-social behaviour in Acomb.
The York South Twitter channel revealed that they had issued a ‘direction to disperse’ to youths in Front Street after reports of bad behaviour last night (Tuesday).
Officers tweeted:
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PARENTS if you believe your children are in the area of Front Street and Foxwood please ring them and ask what they are doing.
It’s not just our responsibility!
We have just issued 4 youths Directions To Disperse notices after ASB on Front Street. All have been directed to return home. pic.twitter.com/hBTmtcvYnt
— NYP York South (@NPTYorkSouth) March 3, 2020
Crews tackle car fire on the A64
Fire crews from Acomb and York were called out last night to a car on fire off the A64.
It happened at about 7.45pm on a slip road leading to the A64 at Copmanthorpe.
Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus extinguished the fire. The cause is believed to be an electrical fault.
Police appeal after man, 22, dies in Sherburn in Elmet collision
Police are appealing for witnesses and dash-cam footage after a 22-year-old man died in a collision near Sherburn-in-Elmet.
It happened on at about 9.15pm on Sunday (1 March) when a red Mini Cooper travelling along Fenton Lane towards Church Fenton, left the road and came to rest in a field.
The driver and sole occupant of the car, a 22-year-old man from the Tadcaster area, sustained serious injuries and was taken to Leeds General Infirmary, where he sadly died.
Anyone who saw the Mini travelling along Fenton Lane, or saw the vehicle leave the road, including any dash-cam footage, is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for Traffic Constable Michael Rowan or email [email protected].
Please quote incident number 12200036516 when calling.
Roadworks start on Fishergate and Castle Mills Bridge
The bridge will be down to one lane in both directions to allow for the work, which includes repairs and maintenance.
These restrictions are in place around the clock, and are expected to cause delays.
**Service Update**
Roadworks are due to start today at Fishergate – Delays for services 7 and 66 are possible due to 1 lane only in operation. ^SD
— First York (@FirstYork) March 2, 2020
Bus catches fire in York
A bus caught fire on Tadcaster Road in York this morning.
The fire in the engine compartment had spread to the passenger area.
Fire crews from York and Acomb were called out at 9.38am. The fire was out when they arrived, and the driver and passengers were safely off the bus.
Serious accident closes the A19 at York
Police, fire and ambulance crews are at an accident that has closed the A19 near York.
The crash took place near the Mercure York Fairfield Manor Hotel on Shipton Road. Reports say an HGV has collided with a car.
Fire crews are using cutting gear to rescue a female passenger.
Police are asking motorists to avoid the area, and buses are being diverted:
RTC alert 🚨
We are currently dealing with an RTC outside the Mercure Hotel #Skelton. We’ve unfortunately had to close the road whilst emergency services deal. Diversions are in place. Avoid the area if possible.— NYP Control Room (@NYPControlRoom) February 28, 2020
⚠️#A19 closed at the Mecure Hotel, #Skelton due to a road traffic collision. Please avoid the area while crews deal with the scene. @minsterfm @BBCYork
— North Yorkshire Police Traffic Bureau (@NYTrafficBureau) February 28, 2020
Crews from #Acomb and #Huntington attending a RTC involving car and HGV in Skelton. Crews used hydraulic cutting gear to release one female casualty.
— North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service (@NorthYorksFire) February 28, 2020
Urgent Update – A19 closed at Skelton due to accident. Buses diverting via bypass. This will cause delays to 1730 and 1745 services. Updates to follow.
— Reliance Buses (@Reliancebus) February 28, 2020
Pictures of the river at its peak last night
These pictures showing the River Ouse pretty much at its 4.4m peak yesterday are from photographer about town, the very talented Lewis Outing.
They include an image of the Peckitt Street pump working hard to keep the waters at bay.
The river levels are now set to gradually fall.
Tuesday flooding update – the roads affected
The river level remains high and is affecting a number of roads in and around York.
As at Tuesday (25 February):
- Skeldergate is closed.
- Tower Street is open.
- A19 at Germany Beck – pumps are in place to deal with any surface water. We expect that the road will continue to stay open.
- Fordlands Road is closed. A 4-wheel drive vehicle is providing a shuttle service for residents.
- B1222 Naburn Lane is closed.
- Main Street, Nether Poppleton is closed.
- Acaster Lane is closed.
- Millennium Bridge is closed.
- Knavesmire Road is closed.
Here are the bus routes affected by the floods
This table, from iTravel York, gives details of which bus routes are affected by floods.
As a guide, at 5pm today (Tuesday, 25 February) the river level was 4.45m.
| River level* | Roads closed | Bus routes affected | Diversion |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.55m | Main St. (Nether Poppleton) | 10 | Dikelands Lane, Ebor Way |
| 3.90m | Acaster Lane | 21 | Appleton Road |
| 3.90m | B1222 Naburn Lane | 42 | A19 |
| 4.00m | Skeldergate | 3, 3A, 4, 59, ZAP | Nunnery Lane, Bishopgate St. |
| 4.00m | Skeldergate | 45, 46, X46 | Rougier St, Station Rd, Nunnery Lane |
| 4.3m | Fordlands Road | 25, 26 | Terminate services on Fulford Main St. |
| 4.80m p | A19 Selby Rd | 7, 18, 36, 42, 415 | A64, Hull Road |
| 4.80m p | Tower St. | 3, 3A, 4, 59, ZAP | Terminate at Rail Station |
| 4.80m p | Tower St. | 7, 42, 66, 415 | Piccadilly, Merchantgate |
| 5.45m | Clifton Green | 2, 2A, 19, 29, 30, 31X | A1237, Boroughbridge Rd. |
| 5.45m | A19 Shipton Rd | 2, 2A, 29, 30, 31X | A1237, Boroughbridge Rd. |
| 5.45m | Salisbury Road | 2, 2A, 10, 19, 29, 30, 31X | Poppleton Rd. |
| 5.45m | Hamilton Drive | 16 | York Rd. |
Here’s the river level – live and updated
This live gauge showing the River Ouse level at Viking Recorder, is from Gauge Map.
It is updated hourly.
Keith Aspden responds to Fordlands Road flooding concerns
We reported yesterday on the concerns of residents in Fordlands Road in Fulford, about the flooding they are suffering.
Council leader Keith Aspden – who also happens to be the Liberal Democrat councillor for Fulford and Heslington – has now responded. He said:
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Residents in Fulford should not have to suffer from the flooding on Fordlands Road and Fordlands Crescent. This is an issue I and many local residents have long been campaigning on.
Although it’s welcome that volunteers, additional Council staff, pumps and tankers have been deployed today, with Yorkshire Water, the concerns of the local community must be taken on board.
What is most important here is to ensure flood protection for the wider community, including Fordlands Road, Fordlands Crescent and the A19.
A flood defence scheme developed in isolation, for example, just to protect the A19, would not be acceptable to the community.
He said having secured £500K from the council, “agencies including the Environment Agency, must now urgently bring forward a plan and consultation.
“It is time to challenge partners to develop a joined up flood plan for Fulford.”
Cllr Aspden has launched a petition calling for just that.
He has also been talking to David Dunning of Minster FM about the situation.
Fordlands Road #Fulford #york Response to residents who said @CityofYork wasn’t doing enough to stop flooding at Germany Beck Cllr Keith Aspden has just spoken to @minsterfm #floods #A19 #Flooding pic.twitter.com/CbyNR2SZ7N
— DavidDunninguk (@daviddunninguk) February 24, 2020
River could peak as high as 4.72m tomorrow
In the words of Sir Alex Ferguson, we could be approaching squeaky bum time.
The latest forecast from the Flood Information Service is that the River Ouse could peak at 4.72m.
It is predicted to reach that level at 11pm tonight (Tuesday, 25 February).
City of York Council have consistently said the city’s flood defences will hold water up to 4.8m, so it’s getting close.
Skeldergate remains closed today.
‘Nothing’s been done to help us’
“All this flooding since 2000 – nothing’s been done to help us whatsoever.”
Residents at Fordlands Road in Fulford have been explaining their frustrations to David Dunning of Minster FM.
Fordlands Rd #Fulford #York Residents angry at #flooding around Germany Beck @CityofYork @yorklibdems @minsterfm news pic.twitter.com/YFysABrzdG
— DavidDunninguk (@daviddunninguk) February 24, 2020
Fordlands Rd and help to cross Germany Beck is on hand with James Dickinson from Yorkshire 4×4 response @minsterfm #york #A19 #Fulford #flooding @YR4x4R pic.twitter.com/F48KD1tk9E
— DavidDunninguk (@daviddunninguk) February 24, 2020
River levels – Monday gallery
Here are some pictures showing the River Ouse at around 1pm today.
York city centre remains mostly unaffected by the localised flooding, and is very much open for business.
River level is falling in York
It looks like the River Ouse has peaked.
The last recorded level for the river in York was 4.44m at noon today (Monday).
That was a fall from the high at around 6.30am of 4.48m.
River Ouse York water level: 4.45m at 11:00. Big chance of flooding! #Flood #York #Ouse #Falling
— River Ouse (York) (@RiverOuseYork) February 24, 2020
The snow and rain has now cleared, and there’s very little rain in the forecast for the next few days.
Monday morning update: River due to peak by 9.30am
It is due to rise for the next hour, with a forecasted peak reached at 9.30am of 4.61m.
That’s very high, but comfortably under the 4.8m required to breach the flood defences.
It is then due to start falling, down to a predicted 4.16m by 7am tomorrow (Tuesday 25 February).
According to the latest Met Office weather forecast, the snow and rain this morning will stop by lunchtime.
The there is little rain in the forecast until the end of the week.
Firefighters wade in to rescue people from car stuck in floodwater
Firefighters have rescued two people stuck in a car in floodwater at Naburn.
Station Manager Tony Walker tweeted out pictures of the rescue which took place this afternoon.
Crews from York and Acomb were called to the scene and were more than knee-high in floodwater when they reached
the Volvo near Naburn marina. They brought a man and a woman to dry ground.
2 persons rescued from their car by #Acomb & #York crews after driving through flood water in Naburn. The driver ignored the obvious sign and visible flooding. We will not recover vehicles! DO NOT DRIVE THROUGH FLOOD WATER! @minsterfm @theyorkmix @BBCYork pic.twitter.com/uBP7nLvl3o
— Station Manager Tony Walker (@sierra18NY) February 23, 2020
He said firefighters responded because the safety and wellbeing of the driver and passenger were at risk.
The flood was clearly signposted.
Mr Walker said: “The driver ignored the obvious sign and visible flooding. We will not recover vehicles! Do not drive through flood water!”
He added that he had offered them some “sound advice”.
‘It’s very hard to keep positive when this keeps happening’
Another business owner struggling to stay positive in the face of the ongoing bad weather is Becky Wensley.
She runs Tower Vue Café on Tower Street, and says trade has been badly hit this half term.
Speaking to David Dunning of Minster FM Becky said:
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We’re very tired after the week that we’ve had, plus the worry about the river.
You need to be open because there have been visitors to York. But it’s very hard to keep positive when this keeps happening.
Another weekend wondering if it will flood. Riverside businesses in #york are feeling the financial effect now too #floods #flooding Been to see Becky again at Tower Vue Cafe. It’s harder to remain cheerful this week. @minsterfm news pic.twitter.com/Qu3n1tQJtT
— DavidDunninguk (@daviddunninguk) February 23, 2020
She estimates the café has lost between £1,000 and £1,500 this week. And the cancellation of the Battle Spectacular finale to the Jorvik Viking Festival also hit business.
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This week is normally one of the busiest weeks we have.
It always has been because of the Viking Festival… This Saturday and Sunday was supposed to be our main weekend – and it just went flat.
Flood hit businesses in York tell of their anguish
You can read the full story on the Guardian website here.
But here are a few quotes which shows how difficult these past weeks have been for riverside businesses.
Plonkers owner Leann Williams says that a pump system means the bar is still open during the floods, but people assume it’s closed when they see water at the end of Cumberland Street. She said:
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I’ve had this business for 30 years, and I have flooded nearly every year.
I’ve listened to every story and every solution and every promise, and nothing will get done, it just stays the same.
This street is known as the flooded street, so we’re the one that’s classed as closed. It’s half-term and it’s just awful. It’s horrendous.
I get really emotional about it because it’s 30 years and I’m at the point now where I’ve had enough, I want out. For 30 years I’ve provided jobs in this city. I’m done, I don’t want to do it any more. It’s heartbreaking.
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We’re suffering extremely badly at the moment.
When the water is up, somebody has to sleep here all night because the electric could cut. If the electric cuts we have to put a generator on – it costs money.
What if this time it does come up over the barrier? It’s very close to. It will wipe our business out completely.
Our trade is down by 80% this February compared to last year, so you can imagine our cash flow. Our budget has gone out the window. Everybody I speak to, I just don’t get any help.
York sandwich shop gives away free sausages after Storm Dennis ruins trade
Shambles Kitchen says in a Facebook post:
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We need your help. Storm Dennis has ruined trade this week so we have loads of sausages left.
Help us get the message out to the homeless or anyone else in York in need of a feed.
You can go down to their stall near Pret in Parliament Street for a free Bratwurst if you’re in need, or it’s £3 for those that can afford to pay to help cover wages and rent.
They’ll be serving till about 4.30pm.
York river level set to surpass last week’s peak
The latest flood forecasts suggest the River Ouse in York will rise higher than it did last Monday.
On that day it reached a little over 4.4m. But the latest forecast from the Flood Warning Information Service says levels will rise to 4.65m by 7.15am tomorrow (Sunday 24 February).
York’s river defences can hold the water to a level of 4.8m.
As of 8am the recorded level was 4.24m.
@katerinaweather River up again in York taken 23.2.20 pic.twitter.com/nx2eSh61rp
— Jonathan Morley (@JonathanMorley9) February 23, 2020
There are currently ten flood warnings in and around York:
- River Ouse at Acaster Malbis
- River Ouse at Acaster Selby
- River Ouse at Bishopthorpe
- River Ouse at Linton Lock
- River Ouse at Naburn
- River Ouse at Naburn Lock
- River Ouse at York – Fulford and Fordlands Road
- River Ouse at York – riverside properties
- River Ouse at York – Skeldergate and Tower Street
- River Ouse at York – St George`s Field and Queen`s Staith
Saturday evening – River level update
The River Ouse is rising, and may reach the levels of last Monday.
You can read our main story about this here.
In York on Saturday evening the river had reached 3.62m. If it does peak at 4.5m or less tomorrow, as expected, the defences should hold.
Four flood warnings are in place right now:
- River Ouse at Linton Lock
- River Ouse at Naburn Lock
- River Ouse at York – riverside properties
- River Ouse at York – St George`s Field and Queen`s Staith
Full details on the Flood Warning Information Service.
Roads affected
- Clementhorpe has a flood defence closing the road just after the junction with River Street
- the B1222 in Naburn and Acaster Lane is closed due to flooding
- Main Street, Nether Poppleton is now open, but may flood again.
Council staff are carrying out additional inspections of the highway and preparing to repair potholes, caused by flood water.
Yellow warnings for rain in York added for Monday
The Met Office has issued rain warnings covering York this Monday (24 February).
There is already a yellow warning for rain in effect for today (Friday) at midday which runs into tomorrow at 6am.
That has been joined by two yellow warnings for rain on Monday, from midnight to 3pm.
The forecast is likely to raise concerns about the River Ouse rising again, but there is no projection as yet of it getting as high as it was at the start of the week.
The latest flood level forecast runs till 9.15am tomorrow, when it is predicted to rise again to 3.54m.
Here are the latest weather warning and river level forecasts for York
More rain is on the way and the York river levels are expected to rise.
The Met Office has put out yellow weather warnings for the next two days which cover York.
The warning runs from Friday (21 Feb) @ 12pm-Sat (22 Feb) @ 6am, and says: “Persistent rain, heavy over hills, may lead to flooding and travel disruption during Friday and Friday night.”
As of 9am today (Thursday, 20 February) the River Ouse in central York was 3.42m, down a full metre from its peak.
But it is forecast to rise to 3.91m by 7am tomorrow, and the City of York Council are asking residents to keep an eye out for the latest Environment Agency info and alerts.