The worst of the flooding is yet to come in areas of Bradford, according to the Environment Agency.

Hundreds of evacuees forced to flee their water-logged homes in the Stockbridge area of Keighley could face days in an evacuation centre as river levels are predicted to rise.

Although flood levels on the River Aire have dropped today with water levels at 2.45m above normal the river is expected to reach another peak early tomorrow morning.

Latest Environment Agency estimates predict that the river will reach 2.8m above normal at 12.45am tomorrow - potentially causing more havoc for local residents.

However, a spokesman for the EA, said that the river's flood defences were expected to cope with the new peak.

Two hundred evacuees forced to flee their homes in the Stockbridge area of Keighley were still being cared for at a crisis centre set up in Victoria Leisure Centre, Victoria Park and some residents were warned they may not be able to live in their homes for months.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said the families would not be allowed to return to their water-logged homes until given the all-clear by the Environment Agency.

The EA spokesman said that a flood watch was still in place on all rivers across West and North Yorkshire.

But despite predictions of more rain to come flood-hit routes across the district were returning to normal today as roads were reopened to motorists.

Police reported all major routes were open to traffic including Otley Road, in Baildon, Baildon Bridge, and Harrogate Road, at Apperley Bridge which were all closed during the height of the flooding yesterday.

Only one route, Green Lane, in Baildon, remained closed due to the flooding.

In the Aire Valley, which suffered the brunt of the trail of destruction, roads were open for business as usual this morning.

Scores of evacuees packed into the Council's emergency rest centre at Victoria Hall, Keighley, to be briefed on the latest situation. Council spokesman Graham Thompson told residents that the priority was to get them back into their homes or alternative accommodation.

Yorkshire Electricity is appealing for flooded out residents to get in touch so power can be restored as quickly as possible. This morning there were 290 homes in the Stocksbridge area of Keighley without electricity and 17 in Baildon.

Today Railtrack said no trains were running from Leeds to Bradford Forster Square. Trains between Ilkley and Skipton to Bradford were running again but passengers wanting to travel between Ilkley or Skipton to Leeds would have to change trains at Bradford Interchange.