UK Flood Misery

The Environment Agency has in place four severe flood warnings (all in Cumbria), 28 flood warnings in the Midlands, Wales and north-east and north-west England and 64 less serious flood watches. During a 24-hour period, Shap and Keswick in Cumbria recorded rainfall of 71.6mm (2.8in) and 64.2mm (2.5in), respectively.

In Scotland there are nine severe flood warnings (covering three sections of the River Tweed, two sections of the River Earn, Yarrow Water, Teviot Water, the River Isla in Perthshire and the River Teith at Callander), 10 flood warnings and 14 flood watches in force. The Environment Agency describes a severe flood warning as a threat of "extreme danger to life and property".

About 200 people were rescued by the emergency services from the town of Cockermouth. RAF helicopters have airlifted at least 50 to safety, with some forced to break through the roofs of their houses. Flooding was also reported in Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland, where 30 roads closed in "treacherous" conditions. In mid- and north Wales, roads were closed and train services disrupted, and a brief power cut in Anglesey affected 2,000 homes. Environment Secretary Hilary Benn, who is travelling to Cockermouth, said the situation was "very serious".

Cumbria police say one of its officers is missing after a bridge collapsed over a flooded river in Workington. A spokesman said a search operation was under way and a liaison officer had been assigned to support the family. Five RAF Sea King helicopters were sent to the Cockermouth area, along with RNLI lifeboats and coastguard teams, to help with the rescue effort. The RAF said conditions were "atrocious", with water levels in some parts of the town reaching about 8ft (almost 2.5m).  "The situation has continued to deteriorate over the past two hours with people being forced to break through the rooftops of houses as they frantically seek escape from rising floodwaters," it said in a statement.

About 1,145 homes in the Cockermouth area and 349 around Keswick lost power on Thursday night, although United Utilities said later that services had been restored to 660 properties. Some 20 schools in the area were earlier forced to close and several were turned into emergency shelters for more than 200 Cockermouth evacuees. Robert Runcie, the Environment Agency's director of flood and coastal risk management, said at least 500 homes could be flooded in and around Cockermouth.

A landslip between Carlisle and Penrith caused the West Coast Main Line from London to Glasgow to close and there is flooding on the line at Lockerbie. Drivers are being warned of "treacherous" conditions in much of Dumfries and Galloway and fire crews have been called to rescue a number of stranded motorists. In mid and north Wales, there have also been road closures, disruption to train services and a brief power cut affecting 2,000 homes in Anglesey. The AA said it was "flat out" rescuing stricken cars and advised against all but essential travel.

Source: BBC