4:40PM, Tue Sep 25, 2012

Evacuations and Road Closures: Flooding Chaos Across Tyne and Wear

By India Adams Location: Tyne And Wear

People have been evacuated from their homes as floods hit Tyne and Wear once again.

And it looks like there is more rain on the way.

The Met Office is is forecasting further downpours in northern England with 25mm to 50mm (1-2 inches) set to fall in some areas.

Parts of the North East have seen more than a month's rain fall in 24 hours, and with more heavy rain on the way, further surface water and river flooding are likely as the water moves down rivers over the next two days.

In Newburn rising waters forced around 50 families from their homes at Mill Vale.

Police have set up a 100m cordon at Spencer Court flats after concerns about the stability of the building.

In Sunderland, the A690 has collapsed near its junction with the A19 and is likely to remain closed for some time.

In Dudley, Ashington, Houghton-le-Spring and Chester-le-Street homes were inundated.

Hundreds more began sandbagging in response to warnings from the Environment Agency.

Many more abandoned their cars as traffic backed up around road closures enforced by Northumbria Police and the A1 northbound has been closed between A697 and A1068.

Scotswood Road reopened in both directions this afternoon as did the Coast Road after both routes into Newcastle were closed for most of the day.

The A189 Findus roundabout, West Moor, has just reopened.

Trains are not able to run between York and Newcastle on the East Coast mainline. Replacement bus services are in operation, subject to road conditions.

Buildings and roads undermined in Newburn

Between Midnight and 12 noon today Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service's Control room has received around 128 calls relating to the weather and flooding.

In nearby Morpeth the River Wansbeck has broken its banks and the town centre area is flooding. People are being rescued from their homes in inflatable boats.

The latest advice from Northumbria Police is not to travel on the roads unless necessary as there have been a number of collisions due to people driving too fast, aquaplaning and not driving according to conditions.

Anyone stuck in flooding in their car is asked to try and stay with their vehicle where possible.

Chief Inspector Sarah Pitt said: "We are getting a number of calls about road closures and localised flooding. The situation is changing all the time.

"We are working with local authorities across the force and partner agencies and monitoring local rivers and areas at risk.

"The force is receiving a lot of calls and we will respond to all of them. Only use the 999 service in an emergency situation and please be patient, we have a lot of officers out on the ground helping keep people safe."

Residents in the Dawson Place area of Morpeth are being evacuated as a precaution. Police are working with the local authority and they are being taken to the Town Hall and King Edward High School which are being used as temporary rest centres.

Residents from the Spencer Court, Hareside Court, Hareside Walk and Mill Vale areas of Newburn have also been evacuated. They are being taken to Newburn First school.

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The Tyne and Wear Metro network is running with delays.

The latest road closures:

A1 Northbound - between the Coal House roundabout and Lobley Hill

The A690 has collapsed near its junction with the A19 and is likely to remain closed for some time.

A1 northbound at Swarland closed

A184 in Gateshead closed from A1

A number of minor roads across the force area are affected - the situation is constantly changing.

Roads now open are:

A19 Northbound - Between the A1231 and Testo roundabout

A19 Northbound between Testos and the Boldon slip

A number of minor roads are also affected. Diversions have been put in place where possible.