YORK is set to see its worst flooding in more than four years today in the wake of Storm Ciara.

Some properties, such as pubs and restaurants along Kings Staith, are already surrounded by floodwaters this morning, and riverside footpaths such as New Walk are deep under water.

The Environment Agency said the river could peak at 4.5 metres above normal summer levels by  later today - only 0.7 metres below the levels reached during the disastrous Boxing Day floods of 2015.

Sandbags have been laid to protect vulnerable communities such as Clementhorpe and Tower Gardens.

The agency issued a flood warning for the Ouse last night and also issued a flood alert for the River Foss. The agency said river levels had risen and were likely to remain high overnight.

It said it was monitoring the situation closely and  the Foss barrier was to be operated last night, the Area Incident Room was open and operational staff had been out clearing trash screens.

City of York Council said it was putting in place flood defences to make sure York residents and businesses can get on with ‘business as usual.'

It said sandbags had been put in place at Clementhorpe, Tower Gardens and Tower Place, which had also got a pump to clear water, while flood boards had been installed at Peckitt Street.

Further measures like the closure of St George’s Field car park and Rowntree Parkeere likely to happen in the early hours of today  said a spokesman.

Cllr Paula Widdowson, executive member for climate change, said:“As a city, we’ve spent a lot of time and effort preparing for flood risk so we can protect people and property so, by and large, we should be able to get on with daily life.

“We’re putting place the local and citywide flood defences, and any residents or businesses at risk of flooding should also put their own flood plans in place.

“It’ll be business as usual for York,just take extra care on the roads and remember that riverside paths and cycle ways are likely to be affected as river levels rise.”