Continuous downpours caused havoc yesterday as the region moved closer to having the wettest June on record. Roads and railways, homes and businesses, were hit by floods and the emergency services were at full stretch.

More than twice the average rainfall for June has already fallen in Yorkshire so far this month, according to the Met Office.

And the downpour has led West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service to issue an "emergencies only" plea to callers as staff at Birkenshaw, Bradford, fielded more than 200 calls an hour.

A spokesman said: "We stress that the fire and rescue service will respond to any life-threatening situation. However, we would urge the public to resist contacting the services where life is not at risk. Unfortunately the service is not in a position to pump water out of houses. Our advice is to turn electricity off and use sandbags."

Martin Redfearn, assistant chief officer for West Yorkshire, said the brigade was even receiving calls from South Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. Crews rescued one person in Cleckheaton and two in Heckmondwike from cars and were forced to evacuate residents in Halton.

At Bradford Interchange, escalators were cordoned off as water leaked from the roof.

As forecasters predicted some areas of the county could be in for 75mm of rain, flood warnings were popping up throughout the region. The Environment Agency posted them about the River Aire at Apperley Bridge, through to Woodhouse Bridge, Charlestown Industrial Estate through to Buckmill Bridge, on towards Esholt and into Shipley. There were also flood watches throughout the district on the River Wharfe.

Phillip Moncaster, 49, a builder who lives by the River Aire, was last night told he would have to evacuate his property in Aire Close, Baildon. He said: "I haven't a clue where we are going to go. We will have to wait and see what happens, if we do have to move we will have to go and spend the night at my mother's."

As a result of the downpour, Bradford Community Housing Trust services were also in great demand. A spokesman said: "As a result of the continuing heavy rainfall across the district, we are receiving a significant number of calls to our emergency repairs hotline.

"These include reports of leaking roofs, over-flowing drains and surface water on roads and pathways. We are also liaising closely with the highways division of the Council, which is providing sandbags where needed. Our emergency repairs team are working hard to prioritise and deal with all of these calls as soon as possible."

The team was called to Englefield Crescent, Holme Wood, Bradford, where manhole drains overflowed.

The spokesman said: "As a result of the current high demand on our emergency repairs team, where calls are deemed to be of a lower priority we are asking our customers to help by understanding the need for us to deal with emergencies reports first. All temporary repairs will be followed up as soon as possible.

"Due to rising flood water in the basement of Bradford West City's office on Cheapside, the building has had to be closed to the public.

"Public telephone lives to the area office have been diverted to south and east Bradford housing trust offices. Customers will continue to receive housing services. An engineer is inspecting the flooding to assess whether the west city office can reopen today."

Bolton Woods community centre was also closed at one point yesterday The torrential rain turned Silsden Beck into a raging torrent, with the water crashing over the weir in the centre of the town.

Roads throughout Airedale were awash with standing water - especially bad was the high moorland route through East Morton. The road was closed at East Morton and Dick Hudsons when heavy water rushing off the moors blocked the highway in at least five places.

Throughout the day, train services were closing and re-opening. For updates on disruptions to rail services go to www.wymetro.com or call (0113) 245 7676.

Further information about flooding and warnings in force is available on the Agency's Floodline on 0845 988 1188 or on www.environment-agency.gov.uk.

It's all because of the 'waves in the jetstream!'

The weather's onslaught on Britain this month is the result of a sluggish jet stream, a series of areas of low pressure and the time of year, according to a forecaster.

Forecasters predict more rain this week and into next as hopes of a scorching summer, inspired by record-breaking temperatures in April, fade. "Waves" in the jet stream which moves weather systems across Britain mean areas of low pressure have lasted longer and created far more rain than normal, says Paul Knightley, forecaster for MeteoGroup, the Press Association's weather division.

Despite the rain, Met Office figures were expected to show that average June temperatures so far are above normal.

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