More rain on the way as soggy East Yorkshire communities see snow give way to flood waters

HUNDREDS of sandbags have been given to residents battling flash flooding.

The region woke up to a blanket of snow on Saturday.

However, the weather soon warmed up and the snow thawed, causing flooding problems throughout the East Riding.

Standing water, coupled with rain and already saturated ground, caused flooding in Beverley Westwood, Leconfield and Lockington yesterday.

And with heavy rain showers forecast for this afternoon and Tuesday, authorities are braced for further problems this week.

Sandbags and pumping equipment were in operation in Beverley to defend homes in Pasture Terrace and Willow Grove, where East Riding Council was working with Yorkshire Water and Humberside Fire and Rescue Service .

Willow Grove resident Les Diment said the water was rising a foot every two hours yesterday morning.

"It was horrendous," he said.

"No homes have been flooded but it was at the front doors of four or five houses.

"All the snow on the Westwood had melted in a short space of time. Some areas looked like a river."

The land next to Willow Grove has flooded several times in the past few weeks.

Mr Diment said: "We've had flooding problems because of heavy rain and because of new springs opening up on the Westwood in the past few months. Now it is because of a lot of snow.

"The council and fire service have been superb, as have some of the residents.

"We've all been supporting each other and helping to move furniture."

Four roads were closed on Sunday in Leconfield at Rootas Lane, Old Road and Mill Lane junction, Old Road A164 Main Street junction and Cherry Burton crossroads.

The Old Road remains shut this morning.

East Riding Council has also sandbagged properties in Thorpe Street, Lockington, and has been monitoring conditions in Leven and Burton Fleming.

The fire and rescue service was called to the village of Lockington, due to severe flooding on the main street and also Market Weighton Road in Holme Upon Spalding Moor, flooding caused by the rapid snow thaw.

One woman from Lockington, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "I opened my curtains and got a bit of a shock when I saw water outside.

"I think it is down to the melting snow and the water coming off the fields. It has nowhere to go.

"It happened two or three times last year.

"It is quite concerning. It has demolished my drive already."

John Skidmore, head of streetscene services at East Riding Council, said: "The council has responded to a number of localised flooding incidents, as the dynamic weather conditions have seen severe winter weather quickly followed by milder temperatures and a rapid thaw.

"With further rain forecast and the East Riding catchment already saturated, the council will maintain a presence at these locations, as well as continuing to monitor conditions in Burton Fleming, Kilham, Cherry Burton, Leven and Driffield.

"As well as sandbags, pumping equipment is also in operation at Beverley Westwood and Burton Fleming to reduce water levels."

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