Acute warnings are in place for 29 areas, with water levels expected to remain high throughout Sunday

Dozens of flood warnings are in place across the Midlands and the north of England, with water levels in various areas likely to remain high throughout Sunday and possibly even Monday.

The Environment Agency has 29 acute warnings for areas where flooding is expected, requiring “immediate action”, down from 34 earlier.

Environment Agency (@EnvAgency) With river levels remaining high in northern England and the Midlands today our teams are out operating flood defences and are ready to assist any affected communities, stay up to date on our latest advice and check your flood risk at https://t.co/BpUpnj1mdd #FloodAware pic.twitter.com/lYWC9fGPy1

Among the worst affected areas are the city of York, where the River Ouse has flooded roads and property, and several areas along the rivers Swale, Calder, Ure, Severn, Wharfe, Vyrnwy, Nidd, Eden, Aire and Mersey, with environmental patrols in action since yesterday at a number of locations.

The Environment Agency said it had been installing temporary flood barriers in parts of the Midlands to protect them from the rising River Severn. It said barriers had been installed in Shrewsbury and Bewdley, and were going up in Ironbridge and Wribbenhall.

In a statement, the agency said: “Persistent heavy rain on Saturday, falling on ground already wet from rain earlier in the week, has caused high river levels across parts of northern England and the Midlands. We have seen localised flooding in the Calder Valley, the Greater Manchester area, York and along the River Severn.

“River levels in some areas will continue to rise over the next few days in response to recent rainfall, however the outlook is for increasingly settled and dry conditions, which will allow river levels to fall quickly in all but the slowest-responding rivers.”

Officers are out on the ground checking defences, clearing drainage channels and supporting affected communities. “We would urge people to check the flood risk in their area and not to drive through flood water – just 30cm of water can be enough to float your car,” the agency said.

The level of the River Severn continues to rise at the Crew Green river gauge in Shropshire after heavy rainfall. The Pentre to Melverley Road near Royal Hill is already flooded. Peaks at Crew Green are predicted to reach 6.15 metres to 6.3 metres on the evening of Sunday, with river levels expected to remain high until Monday.

Water levels from the River Wye between Hereford and Ross-on-Wye are forecast to rise, and flooding is expected to affect nearby properties and roads, including the Wilton area.

The level of the River Ure at Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire, was forecast to rise to 14.9 metres by 2pm on Sunday, and the flooding of properties, roads and farmland at Milby Island in Boroughbridge is possible.

Properties in Kirby Wiske, North Yorkshire, face flooding, with Topcliffe properties as well as those adjacent to Kirkby Bridge and Green Lane being the most at risk.

A spokesperson for the North Yorkshire police said: “There is a rather large amount of flooding in York, which is expected to reach a maximum of 3.5 metres today and to stay until Monday, with footpaths and property affected. Appropriate warnings have been put out. Cleaning-up efforts will not start until the water has gone down.”

Water levels from the River Wharfe at Castley Lane and Arthington in North Yorkshire have peaked and are now starting to fall, while property, roads and farmland are at risk of flooding.

In Leeds, the moveable weir at Knostrop has been operated to reduce the risk of flooding.

The Environment Agency said those affected could find updates by visiting gov.uk/check-flood-risk or calling Floodline on 0345 988 1188.