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Video caption: We were invited to see how St James’s Hospital in Leeds is battling Covid-19. Road stays closed but weir raised as flood water falls
A flood-hit road in West Yorkshire is to remain closed for the time being despite water levels in the area falling, Leeds City Council has said.
Barnsdale Road, in Allerton Bywater, near Castleford, was closed earlier this week, due to flooding caused by Storm Christoph.
Writing on social media, the council said: "Though the Environment Agency flood warning remains at Allerton Ings and levels are falling, the A656 Barnsdale Rd remains closed.
"Closure will be lifted when safe to do so."
Meanwhile, a Leeds weir has been "restored to its fully raised position", the council said.
The weir at Knostrop was lowered earlier to allow flood water to rapidly pass though.
Leeds hospital fire caused 'significant damage' - Police
A fire at Leeds General Infirmary on Thursday caused "significant damage", police have said.
Copyright: Holly SophiaEmergency crews were called to the hospital at about 17:55 yesterday after reports a man was causing damage to a unit and making threats.
The area was evacuated and a 43-year-old man was subsequently arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.
At the height of the incident, six Leeds fire crews plus an aerial appliance from Bradford Fire Station were in attendance at the hospital, according to West Yorkshire Fire Service.
No-one was injured in the blaze, according to West Yorkshire Police.
The 43-year-old arrested man remains in custody, officers add.
Det Insp James Entwistle said: "This was a very serious incident which caused significant damage to the hospital.
"Luckily no-one was injured and everyone in the hospital was safely accounted for.
"I would like to appeal to anyone who was impacted by the fire in either the A&E or X-Ray department between 17:00 and 18:00 to come forward with any information to assist our inquiries," he added.
Flood warnings in place on rivers across Yorkshire
A total of 31 flood warnings - meaning immediate action should be taken as flooding is expected - are in place in Yorkshire following heavy rain brought by Storm Christoph earlier in the week.
Copyright: EPAThere are also 24 flood alerts - meaning flooding is possible, be prepared - in place on Yorkshire's rivers.
People in York whose homes are at risk of flooding due to high river levels in the city following Storm Christoph are "safe", a city councillor has said.
Councillor Paula Widdowson said: "The next high peak for the river is predicted for noon today at 4.7m, so I'm confident the flood defences will hold."
Meanwhile, in Malton in North Yorkshire the River Derwent peaked at about 06:20 this morning at 5.05m above normal levels.
The leader of Ryedale District Council, Keane Duncan, said: "It's a slightly tense situation, but I'd like to reassure residents we're doing all we can and I'm hopeful we can keep things under control".
There are flood warnings in place for parts of Hull, on the River Aire in West Yorkshire and on the River Swale and River Ure in North Yorkshire.
Yorkshire's Friday weather forecast
BBC Weather
Today will be bright but chilly in Yorkshire with spells of sunshine and occasional showers.
Tonight will be cold with clear spells and the risk of a few rain, sleet or snow showers:
Copyright: BBCMan arrested following Leeds hospital fire
A man has been arrested after a fire in a Leeds hospital this evening.
Copyright: Holly SophiaPolice and firefighters were called to Leeds General Infirmary to reports of a man with "a screwdriver who was causing damage", making threats and trying to start a fire.
Emergency services were called at about 17:55, West Yorkshire Police said.
The area was evacuated and the fire service extinguished the fire, the force added.
Nobody is believed to have been injured in the incident.
Copyright: @gingerbeardveegMurder suspect extradited to Spain after arrest in Leeds
A man wanted in connection with the murder of a man on the Costa Del Sol has been extradited to Spain following his arrest at a Leeds shopping centre, the National Crime Agency (NCA) says.
Copyright: National Crime AgencyThe suspect, a 21-year-old British man, was apprehended by armed NCA officers near the Crown Point retail park in Leeds just before Christmas, officers said.
He's wanted after 19-year-old Ulrich Perez was stabbed in an alleged road rage incident in Estepona on 18 November, police confirmed.
The victim was almost run over by a car at a pedestrian crossing and the driver, who had initially left the scene, returned a few minutes later and stabbed the victim in the heart, police said.
Copyright: GoogleThe attack happened in broad daylight outside the victim’s home, officers added.
A European Arrest Warrant was issued for the suspect’s arrest and NCA officers detained him on Tuesday 22 December.
His extradition was confirmed yesterday and he is now due to face trial.
Steve Reynolds, from the NCA’s international liaison network, said: “This was an horrific crime. We worked closely with our Spanish partners to track this suspect down in the UK and have him taken to Spain to face trial."
Leeds Rhinos shut training ground after Covid-19 cases
BBC Sport
Leeds Rhinos have closed their training ground as a precaution for a minimum of five days after six players and a staff member tested positive for Covid-19.
Copyright: GoogleThe Rhinos shut down the facility after consultation with the Rugby Football League, so a deep clean can take place.
All positive cases and those flagged up through contact tracing are now isolating for the required 10 days.
"It is important we look after the well-being of our people," said director of rugby Kevin Sinfield.
Staff and players will be allowed to return to the training ground at Kirkstall Road after the five-day shutdown, once they have posted a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test result.
Players were given the go-ahead to resume training earlier this month, with a target date of 25 March for the resumption of the Super League competition.
"We have increased our bio security from last season and everyone is vigilant about ensuring we lessen the probabilities of spreading the virus," continued Sinfield.
"Because of our increased testing since New Year, it has become evident that, despite all our precautions, the virus has continued to spread within the group. We hope this short period will act as a fire break and enable us to move forward next week."
No more flooding issues expected in West Yorkshire - EA
No further flooding issues are expected in West Yorkshire folowing heavy rain brought in by Storm Christoph, the Environment Agency (EA) has said.
Copyright: Ben Birchall/PA WireAdrian Gil, EA area flood risk manager, said: "We do still have some high river levels around and that may still trigger some flood warnings as that water moves down, but we're not expecting any issues at the moment."
He continued: "We've not had any confirmed reports of any properties flooding.
"Without question, some of our flood defences will have protected some people, but I suspect we've seen river levels that were lower than what was forecast."
A Met Office amber warning for rain is now over, replaced by a yellow "be aware" weather warning for ice in place for parts of the region.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the government is "totally prepared" for the dual crises of flooding and the pandemic and Covid-secure facilities would be available for any people forced to evacuate as a result of the weather.
Storm Christoph: Yorkshire flood warnings latest
A total of 67 flood warnings - meaning immediate action should be taken as flooding is expected - are now in place in Yorkshire following heavy rain brought by Storm Christoph overnight.
Copyright: EPAThere are also 49 flood alerts - meaning flooding is possible, be prepared - in place on the county's rivers.
The warnings include Cod Beck at Thirsk in North Yorkshire where the Environment Agency (EA) say areas most at risk are Finkle Street and Riverside Mews.
In East Yorkshire there's a warning for low lying properties in the Upper Hull catchment around Frodingham Bridge where the EA says flooding of property, roads and farmland is possible.
The level of the River Aire at Shipley in West Yorkshire is expected to peak in the next few hours, with a risk of flooding to property, roads and farmland.
In South Yorkshire river levels appear to have now peaked but the EA says they still remain at levels where flooding is expected.
A Met Office amber warning for rain is now over, replaced by a yellow "be aware" weather warning for ice in place for parts of the region.
Yorkshire's Thursday weather forecast
BBC Weather
Today will be cloudy with showers, sunny intervals and strong winds.
Winds will slowly ease and cloud will clear for most to leave a largely dry night with clear skies.
A yellow "be prepared" warning for ice has been issued by the Met Office.
Copyright: BBCFlood warnings in place overnight for West Yorkshire
There are more than 50 flood warnings currently in place for Yorkshire as rain continues to fall across the region.
Copyright: PA MediaThe Met Office issued an amber "be prepared" weather warning for heavy rain overnight.
The flood warnings mean people living or working in those areas need to take immediate action, like moving valuables upstairs or placing sandbags outside their homes.
There are flood warnings in place in for parts of the River Aire, some areas on the River Calder and for Walsden Water.
Flood sirens were used in Walsden earlier to warn people of the possibility of flooding.
In Mytholmroyd, flood defences have helped reduce the risk of flooding in the town so far.
However, it will be a long night for some people in the Calder Valley as rain continues to fall, according to one councillor.
A full list of the flood warnings can be found on the Environment Agency's website.
Copyright: BBCYou can listen to a special programme looking at the weather situation as it develops on your local BBC local radio station throughout the night.
