Gale force winds could reach 70mph in weekend storms coming to the region from the Atlantic, weathermen warned today.

They spoke out after a night in which many parts of Yorkshire struggled against the elements, with up to 20mm of rain recorded.

Firefighters were called to floods in Goole and Hornsea, where water levels came dangerously close to reaching electric cables.

A cargo ferry with 26 people aboard was towed to safety after being driven aground at the mouth of the River Humber in gale-force winds and heavy seas.

The Romanian-registered Octagon III, a roll-on roll-off cargo ferry, ran aground at Spurn Point late last night in a Force 8 gale.

Strong winds and heavy rain are expected to wreak havoc locally and cause more flooding in the region tonight and tomorrow.

A PA weatherman said the forecasts today and tomorrow looked particularly ugly, although it was expected to be milder and less blustery on Sunday.

Humber Fire Service said it feared the flooding could get worse tonight and tomorrow, and an Environment Agency spokeswoman said they were closely monitoring rainfall in the low lying areas of York.

They would issue flood warnings if the situation worsened over the weekend. Areas in South and mid Wales were particularly badly affected by flooding overnight, as torrential rain burst river banks in some areas and roads became waterlogged.

Four feet of floodwater blocked the A40 trunk road at Crickhowell in Powys.

Police forces said more than 300 people had been evacuated during the night from flood threatened properties across South and mid Wales.

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