NERVOUS flood-hit communities in North Yorkshire held their breath today as forecasters predicted even more torrential rain.

As weathermen warned that a month's rain could fall today in parts of the region, residents in the Helmsley and Thirsk areas - battered by the elements on Sunday night - were bracing themselves for more storms.

North Yorkshire County Council has hand-delivered about 5,000 leaflets to vulnerable households warning further heavy downpours might be on the way.

A County Hall spokesman said: "Leaflets have gone out about a severe weather warning to those areas that were affected by the flooding on Sunday.

"It's a warning that there is a high risk of torrential rain with the possibility of localised flooding in places. We are urging homeowners and shopkeepers to make whatever preparations they can."

The spokesman said the leaflets also contained advice about sandbag delivery.

Forecasters today said parts of Yorkshire could see between 40 and 50mm - or more - of rainfall by the end of today. The average monthly rainfall for June is between 45 and 55mm, a PA Weather spokesman said.

He said thunderstorms from the south were expected to hit Yorkshire from late morning and early afternoon. He said there was a risk of "torrential downpours, thunder, lightning and possibly hail and gale-force winds".

The spokesman said: "There could be some really huge rainfall totals across Yorkshire through much of today until later this evening. We are warning of the possibility of localised flooding."

Forecasters said tomorrow would be mostly cloudy, with showery rain, but "nowhere near" as bad as today.

Meanwhile, a senior police officer has pledged the force's "immediate action" in the event of further flooding amid more forecasts of dire weather.

Superintendent Iain Spittal, operations commander of North Yorkshire Police's eastern area, has discussed detailed response plans with the Environment Agency and council chiefs in Ryedale and Hambleton.

"We are satisfied that we are in a position to take immediate action in the extremely unlikely event of further significant flooding in the eastern side of North Yorkshire," he said.

Supt Spittal said he knew residents hit by last Sunday's flash floods would be anxious on hearing the forecasts of more heavy rain.

He assured residents that the emergency services and councils had action plans in place - and were ready to launch them whenever and wherever needed.

Updated: 10:11 Friday, June 24, 2005