Flood alerts issued for River Tees and Teesside becks as downpours cause rising water levels

One passenger sent this in from the Harrowgate Lane lights - a sheet of water over the car windscreen.
-Credit: (Image: Send-in pic)


Teessiders woke up to heavy rainfall on Thursday, with the weather causing traffic delays around the region.

Flood alerts have been issued for several areas, as river levels rise on the Tees. The Government has issued alerts for potential flooding in Middlesbrough including the Marton West Beck, Newham Beck, Ormesby Beck, Middle Beck and Spencer Beck areas.

The Met Office also warned of potential flooding, power cuts and travel disruption after issuing a yellow weather warning for rain from 12am to just before midnight. The warning covers areas including Middlesbrough, Stockton, Redcar and Cleveland, Hartlepool and Darlington.

There is a flood alert in place for low-lying land in the Tees Valley, including the Teesdale Way footpath at Croft. The alert said: "Flooding is possible at riverside footpaths and low lying land and roads from 8am on September 26.

"The areas most affected will be Middleton in Teesdale and Rutherford Bridge. Further rainfall is expected throughout the day and river levels are forecast to remain high until the evening of September 26. Avoid using low lying footpaths and any bridges near local watercourses and do not attempt to walk or drive through flood water."

A bird's eye view from AA Traffic showing lots of red alert markings, signalling slow moving traffic, around the Durham Lane and A66 areas
A bird's eye view from AA Traffic showing lots of red alert markings, signalling slow moving traffic, around the Durham Lane and A66 areas -Credit:AA Traffic

On the roads, delays were seen throughout the morning including at the A19 Norton Interchange and the A1046 Haverton Hill Road southbound from B1275 Hope Street to A1032 Tees Bridge approach road.

Severe delays were also reported on the A19 southbound between A689 Coal Lane in Wolviston and A66 as well as the A66 eastbound between Sandy Leas Lane and the B1272 Hartington Interchange. Delays were also seen on Durham Lane in Stockton as parents tried to get their children to school in time while flooding was seen on the road through Loftus.

Darlington's household waste recycling centre was closed on Thursday due to the adverse weather conditions. A spokesperson for Darlington Council said: "Please be aware that due to high winds the tip will be closed today.

"The forecast is for the high winds to continue throughout today and into tomorrow. We will monitor the situation and will provide an update when the tip can safely reopen. The commercial waste transfer station is open as usual. Thank you for your patience."

The tip at Haverton Hill has now reopened following a fire at the facility on Wednesday. Meanwhile the Met Office has also issued a yellow warning for rain across North Yorkshire for the whole day.

A spokesperson said periods of heavy rain may cause disruption and lead to difficult driving conditions. "Please take care if you're travelling," they added.

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