Massive update from Sunderlandnow:

Ryhope Road in Sunderland is flooded in both directions close to the Shell garage which is causing traffic disruption in the area.

Northumbria Police
The public are being advised to take care as bad weather hits the region.

Heavy rain and strong winds have battered the north east today and as a result a number of roads across the region have been flooded.

Police are out in force this evening to try and assist members of the public but they are advising people not to use the roads unless they have to.

No houses have yet been evacuated but the heavy rain is expected to continue throughout the evening before starting to ease off in the early hours of the morning.

Some of the roads affected by heavy rain include:

- The central motorway heading from the Tyne Bridge into Newcastle is flooded and traffic there is moving very slowly. Officers are at the scene.

- The central motorway heading towards Tynemouth is also flooded. Officers are on scene but one lane is blocked.

- The central motorway junction with the Great North Road is also flooded. It is passable but motorists are being advised to take care.

- The junction of Skinnerburn Road and Shotfactory Lane is also flooded in Newcastle. It is passable but motorists are being advised to take care.

- There is standing water on Scotswood Road in Newcastle in both directions. That road is passable but motorists are being advised to take care.

-  Kenton Lane is flooded close to the junction of Kenton Road is flooded heading towards Gosforth. It is also flooded close to the junction of Salters Road.

- The eastbound sliproad from the Coast Road onto Chillingham road has been closed due to flooding in the area.

- Berwick Hill road near Ponteland is also flooded and motorists should look to use an alternative route.

-  The Washington Highway roundabout for the A195/A182 has been completely closed due to 2ft of standing water. Diversions are in place.

- Leam Lane between the Lindisfarne and Whitemarepool roundabouts is flooded in both directions. The road is passable northbound but closed southbound.

- Ryhope Road in Sunderland is flooded in both directions close to the Shell garage which is causing traffic disruption in the area.


-Hylton road flooded down by st Anne's school, avoid if possible

A lot of roads in rural Northumberland will also be flooded and motorists are advised not to dry through flood water unless they are certain of its depth.

Many roads in urban areas are passable with care but police are advising the public not to travel unless they absolutely have to as there is major disruption across the region.

Officers and local authority workers will be on duty through the night to try and ensure the roads are clear ahead of the morning rush hour.

The public are reminded that they should only dial 999 in an emergency. Call 101 if you require a police response but there is not immediate risk to person or property.