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Three men were brought to safety following a cave rescue lasting more than 30 hours throughout "appalling conditions" throughout the tempest.

The experienced cavers became trapped within the challenging underground passage, in the vicinity of Grassington.

Concerns were reported around 10 PM Thursday night as their expected return didn't happen while a family member contacted emergency services.

Volunteer groups confirmed in excess of 100 volunteers took part during the demanding mission, that faced obstacles because of storm impacts, water ingress, rough terrain plus extended periods underground.

When rescuers located the cavers in the predawn period that Friday, increasing floodwaters indicated the most direct path was inaccessible, compelling everyone involved to backtrack.

Mission coordinator described how if they had reached the explorers just an hour or two earlier, all parties would have returned safely by morning.

"Regrettably conditions had a different plan in store," he stated.

"The main threat is rising waters and, potentially in particular sections of the cave, submersion.

"If waters had increased in those places, conditions would have turned exceptionally risky."

Adjacent response units joined the effort, including several specialist rescue organizations.

Subterranean crews worked in relays to escort the fatigued spelunkers back, whereas external personnel experienced "appalling" weather to maintain communication and manage logistics.

At one point, rescue personnel erected a diversion with protective covering to carry rising flood water around the cave entrance.

First trapped individual was rescued around 3:30 PM on Friday, then the next around 2:30 AM that Saturday and the last explorer two hours later.

None of them sustained injuries but team coordinator confirmed they suffered from fatigue following exposed and damp over two days.

"Requires a strong man to withstand such conditions," he said.

The team concluded operations in the morning.

Even though tempest was anticipated to take effect later that week, team leaders said the expedition organized by the explorers proved "completely justifiable" considering their expertise along with meteorological situation that day.

Nevertheless, torrential downpours arrived earlier while also more intensely than forecast.

The cavers disclosed crucial information about their planned path – from Providence Pot toward their endpoint – ahead of their expedition, and officials confirmed this "saved the day".

"Absent that alert by the family member, awareness would have been delayed the explorers were missing before someone noticed the cars parked at the location for a couple of days," he added.