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Severe weather puts hundreds of Cumbrian homes at risk of flooding Environment Agency sends pumps to saturated areas with more rain on way
(34 minutes later)
The Environment Agency has sent water pumps to Cumbria amid flood warnings for areas in northern England over the weekend as heavy rain is expected to continue to fall on already saturated ground. The Environment Agency has sent water pumps to Cumbria after flood warnings were issued for areas in northern England over the weekend. Heavy rain is expected to continue to fall on already saturated ground.
The two 24ft (7.3m) long, high-volume flood water pumps are capable of pumping 120,000 cubic litres of flood water a minute – the equivalent of over 30 Wembley stadiums. The two 24ft (7.3m) long, high-volume flood water pumps are capable of pumping 120,000 cubic litres of flood water a minute – the equivalent of more than 30 Wembley stadiums.
Cumbria, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, and North and West Yorkshire are most at risk of flooding, the EA warned. Many northern parts of the country are already saturated after days of wet and windy weather, with a month’s rain potentially falling on localised high ground. The outlook is set to remain unsettled into next week. Cumbria, Lancashire, Greater Manchester and North and West Yorkshire are most at risk of flooding, the agency warned. Many northern parts of the country are already saturated after days of wet and windy weather, with a month’s rain potentially falling on localised high ground. More than 180mm of rain fell overnight in some places and the outlook is set to remain unsettled into next week.
“River levels across northern England are already high and are expected to rise with this further heavy rainfall, bringing with them a significant risk of flooding,” said Craig Woolhouse, an EA director. “We are working closely with the emergency services and partners to prepare ahead of the weekend. Our teams are already in action clearing watercourses, maintaining existing defences and standing ready to deploy temporary pumps and defences where these can be effective.” “River levels across northern England are already high and are expected to rise with this further heavy rainfall, bringing with them a significant risk of flooding,” said Craig Woolhouse, an EA director.
“We are working closely with the emergency services and partners. Our teams are already in action clearing watercourses, maintaining existing defences and standing ready to deploy temporary pumps and defences where these can be effective. We urge people to check the risk of flooding in their area, sign up for flood warnings and be prepared to take immediate action.”
Motorists are warned not to attempt to drive through flood water – 30cm of flowing water is enough to move a car.Motorists are warned not to attempt to drive through flood water – 30cm of flowing water is enough to move a car.
Leon Brown, meteorologist at the Weather Channel UK, said high rainfall can be expected across Ireland, Wales, northwest England and eventually southern and western Scotland. Leon Brown, meteorologist at the Weather Channel UK, said high rainfall could be expected across Ireland, Wales, northwest England and eventually southern and western Scotland. “Since rivers are already high, local flooding is likely,” he said. “We may see 100-150mm over west Cumbria and widely 50 to 75mm.”
“Since rivers are already high, local flooding is likely,” he said. “We may see 100-150mm over West Cumbria and widely 50 to 75mm.” There are two flood warnings in place – at Keswick campsite in Cumbria and at Aberystwyth in west Wales – and 23 flood alerts, where flooding is possible, with the EA saying it will issue flood warnings where necessary. It initially issued 12 severe flood warnings for areas in and around the Cumbrian towns of Kendal and Egremont.
There are two flood warnings in place – at Keswick campsite in Cumbria, and at Aberystwyth in West Wales – and 23 flood alerts, where flooding is possible, with the EA saying it will issue flood warnings where necessary. It has urged communities in northern England to remain vigilant against the threat of flooding. Although it lifted severe flood warnings – its highest level of alert – for areas in and around the Cumbrian towns of Kendal and Egremont, the agency said persistent, localised heavy rainfall was expected throughout Sunday and into Monday with river levels extremely high and continuing to rise in places.
The Environment Agency has urged communities in northern England to remain vigilant against the threat of flooding as more than 180mm of rain fell overnight in some places. The risk was highest for Cumbria, parts of Lancashire and western parts of North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire.
Although it lifted severe flood warnings – its highest level of alert – for Cumbria, the agency said persistent, localised heavy rainfall was expected throughout Sunday and into Monday with river levels extremely high and continuing to rise in places.
The risk was highest for Cumbria, parts of Lancashire and western parts of North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire. The outlook for the rest of the week remains unsettled.
Police in several counties have warned of bad driving conditions, with some roads flooded. In Stockton-on-Tees, three people were taken to hospital for checks after a taxi overturned in what police described as “awful driving conditions”.Police in several counties have warned of bad driving conditions, with some roads flooded. In Stockton-on-Tees, three people were taken to hospital for checks after a taxi overturned in what police described as “awful driving conditions”.
Ch Insp Matt Kennerley, of Cumbria police, said: “Many of the county’s roads, including the A66 at Threlkeld, have minor road-surface flooding. Our advice is to drive only if necessary today as it is expected that with further deteriorating weather conditions more roads will be affected with an increasing severity.”Ch Insp Matt Kennerley, of Cumbria police, said: “Many of the county’s roads, including the A66 at Threlkeld, have minor road-surface flooding. Our advice is to drive only if necessary today as it is expected that with further deteriorating weather conditions more roads will be affected with an increasing severity.”
He also warned of significant crosswinds in the Shap area, where the M6 crosses high ground in Cumbria. The EA initially issued 12 severe flood warnings for areas in and around the Cumbrian towns of Kendal and Egremont. He warned of significant crosswinds in the Shap area, where the M6 crosses high ground in Cumbria.
“Heavy rain is falling on already saturated ground causing rivers to rise and bringing a risk of flooding across the north-west,” said Woolhouse. “We urge people to check the risk of flooding in their area, sign up for flood warnings and be prepared to take immediate action.” The EA said its teams were preparing temporary barriers, deploying sandbags along riverbanks, clearing river blockages and monitoring water levels. “Communities in northern England should remain vigilant to the risk of flooding,” said Neil Davies, the agency’s flood risk duty manager. “Fifteen thousand properties have been protected from flooding thanks to Environment Agency flood schemes.”
Further heavy rainfall is expected next week, the agency added. It said its teams were preparing temporary barriers, deploying sandbags along riverbanks, clearing river blockages and monitoring water levels.
“Communities in northern England should remain vigilant to the risk of flooding,” said Neil Davies, EA flood risk duty manager. “Further heavy, persistent rain is expected throughout Sunday and into Monday, and river levels remain extremely high and are continuing to rise in places. Fifteen thousand properties have been protected from flooding thanks to Environment Agency flood schemes.