People evacuated as storm causes flash flooding

Fire crews worked through the night evacuating people, pumping water out of cellars and making buildings safe.

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said it had received more than 150 calls in three hours from across the district, with several motorists needing to be rescued from cars which became submerged in Castleford.

Two elderly women had to be rescued by boat from a house in Beach Grove, Featherstone.

Xscape entertainment complex, Castleford town centre, Pontefract’s Prince of Wales Hospice have also been affected.

Widespread flooding throughout the ground floor left the hospice without kitchen facilities and bosses issued a plea for help on social media sites.

Wakefield Council set up an emergency centre for people affected by the flooding.

A Wakefield fire station spokesman said: “We’ve been out most of the night to help places which have been affected by the floods.

“The worst affected areas are Castleford, Featherstone and Pontefract.

“Castleford has been under at least five/six foot of water.”

Further wet and windy weather is expected today as Hurricane Bertha continues to hit the UK.