HEAVY rain is expected across the whole of the north of England including the Bradford district over the next few days.

This, combined with melted snow, means that rivers are running high which could lead to flooding.

Ground is already saturated due to the recent snow and rain and this could lead to surface water flooding in places.

River and surface water flooding is expected for the Bradford district from today into Wednesday and possibly Thursday.

Teams from across Bradford Council are working together to help the district to prepare for flooding.

Crews from Bradford Council have been out across the district clearing debris from Council-owned trash screens on water courses.

Gully maintenance teams have been concentrating on clearing drains and gullies in hotspot areas.

Bridges across the district are being inspected and any debris cleared.

The Council is working with partners including the police, fire and rescue service and the Local Resilience Forum to prepare.

There is currently one flood alerts in place for the district for the Upper River Aire. Things are expected to change rapidly so members of the public are encouraged to check flood warnings regularly: https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/warnings.

People who live in high flood risk areas are also encouraged to sign up to receive direct flood alerts: https://www.gov.uk/sign-up-for-flood-warnings.

Residents who live in flood risk areas are advised to start to prepare their properties for flooding. This includes activating their flood plan, moving furniture and valuables and important documents upstairs, and moving cars, caravans, garden items to higher ground.

People living in high risk areas are also advised to put together a Flood Pack for their home with information and items that they would need if they had to leave their home. This would include clothing, medication, important documents, mobile phone chargers and toiletries. A Flood Pack if they decided to stay in their property would also include items like torches (including spare batteries), duvets, fresh water and food.

Bradford Council’s website contains lots of useful information including contacts you might need if there is a flood, how to protect your property and prepare a flood pack, and a checklist of what to do if your property is threatened with flooding.

Leader of Bradford Council, Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, said: “Anyone who lives in a high risk flood area knows the devastation that flooding can bring.

“We are doing all we can as a council and working with our partners to prepare the district, but we need people to make their own preparations. If you live in a high risk flood area, please make sure you are signed up to receive flooding alerts and do what you can to prepare your home and family.”

For information about flooding in the Bradford district and how you can prepare visit www.bradford.gov.uk and search flooding.