RESIDENTS of South Yorkshire have been warned to prepare for further flooding with more rain forecast to hit this week.
South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue service has urged residents not to drive through flood water after being called out to a number of incidents over the weekend.
Fire crews across the region were forced to attend to several vehicles either trapped in water or involved in collisions as a result of aquaplaning.
“We’ve seen stretches of motorway that just look like a river,” said a fire service spokesman.
“In other areas we’ve had to rescue drivers and pull their cars to safety after they’ve attempted to drive through particularly deep standing water.
“It’s really important that members of the public confirm a road is safe before driving on it.
“Conditions are hazardous and we urge the public not to endanger themselves.”
Heavy rain fell across the region over the weekend, causing river levels to rise and triggering flood warnings across Yorkshire.
The Environment Agency said land was already saturated and rivers were full, making further flooding very likely.
Rotherham Central station was forced to close for three hours yesterday because the tracks were under water.
A spokeswoman for Northern Rail said the station reopened last night but there were minor delays due to an enforced speed limit.
The fire service also had to help a number of narrowboats which got into difficulties due to the current.
There are currently 24 flood warnings in place across North, South and West Yorkshire and 30 flood alerts for Yorkshire.
Communities are being urged to be vigilant in the coming days.
Emergency teams from the Environment Agency have been working over the weekend to monitor river levels, clear blockages from watercourses and operate pumping stations and washlands to try and manage river levels.
“We are urging people to use the daylight hours to prepare for possible flooding in the coming days,” said Phil Younge, the agency’s flood risk manager.
Over 1,000 properties across the region have received an alert or warning this weekend through the Environment Agency’s Floodline Warnings Direct service.
A number roads were closed across the county because of flooding yesterday.
They included Aldwarke Lane Rotherham; Penistone Road, North Sheffield near the junction of Beaulah Road; Limb Lane, Dore Sheffield; Rowms Lane, Swinton, onto Station road; Chesterfield Road, Sheffield, between KFC and the Honda garage; Remington Road, Sheffield, at the junction with Wordsworth Avenue; Pastures Road, Mexborough; Nursery Lane, Sprotborough, Doncaster.
The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning for the Yorkshire and Humber area.
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