Great North Run participants and spectators are facing delays getting home after torrential downpours of rain caused flash flooding in South Tyneside.
The Tyne and Wear Metro said floods meant South Shields station had to close and caused a widespread issue on the network.
In a tweet, @My_Metro advised passengers that services are suspended between Bede and South Shields and to seek shelter and await further advice.
The torrential downpour has caused severe flooding on our network in particular Tyne Dock & South Shields. The service is now suspended between Bede-South Shields. We will be closing Sth Shields station to deal with the flood. Please seek shelter for now and await further advice
— Tyne and Wear Metro (@My_Metro) September 10, 2023
Read more: Flash flooding on County Durham roads as storm hits region
It is understood emergency services are helping people through the flood water to keep crowds moving.
Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service said they are receiving an extremely high volume of calls relating to the flooding and are prioritising risk-to-life calls.
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Flooding is causing problems elsewhere in South Shields as a supermarket near the Metro station is also experiencing flooding.
Intense rainfall triggers flash floods, leading to the closure of Metro lines in the UK.
— World Natural Disaster News (@WorldNaturalDN) September 10, 2023
Stay safe🙏
Video shows flooding entering a South Shields supermarket.#flooding #unitedkingdom #England #StaySafe https://t.co/tOtuEAloFK pic.twitter.com/AcFTRPcVpE
This morning 60,000 people were taking part in the 42nd annual Great North Run, a 13.1 mile half-marathon from Newcastle to South Shields.
The storm came after hot weather this morning reached 25 degrees Celsius.
The Met Office has said drivers should prepare for tricky conditions and possible flooding on roads, while power cuts could also take place.
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