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| Storm Desmond: Osborne announces £50m flood fund – live updates | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 1.09pm GMT13:09 | |
| Katy Stoddard has been going through the archives to see how our predecessors covered the 1927 floods in the Lake District after the Keppel dam was washed away in a storm. | |
| The Manchester Guardian recounted how 14-year-old boy, Magnus Gordon, rescued his grandmother and a kitten on a raft made of tied-together back doors. | |
| Related: Severe flooding in Lake District as dam bursts, October 1927 | |
| 1.06pm GMT13:06 | |
| Josh Halliday | |
| Josh Halliday has more on the woman who was due to get married at Carlisle United’s football stadium - now waterlogged. Here is part of his despatch. | |
| Bride-to-be Sophie Watters was inconsolable when she saw pictures of Carlisle United’s submerged stadium on television - and not only because she’s a huge fan of the club. | |
| Watters, 28, and her fiancé Richard Cakans, 38, were due to have their wedding reception at Brunton Park this Saturday. But those plans now lie in ruins thanks to Storm Desmond. | |
| Speaking as teams of volunteers helped clear debris from the devastated stadium on Wednesday, Watters said she was “gutted, devastated” her big day has been ruined. “It was perfect. I’d planned it in four weeks so I could get back to my business and then this happens,” she said. | |
| Watters and her fiancé still plan to marry on Saturday - although a replacement reception venue has been near-impossible to find, with most places either hit by power cuts or already booked out for Christmas parties. | |
| In spite of it all, she said, the club have been great. “I’m here to help them because they’ve helped us,” Watters said, donning heavy duty gloves to help with lift sodden objects from the stadium. | |
| Dozens of volunteers helped club staff shift debris including televisions, washing machines, benches, tables and gym-gear as the full scale of the devastation inside the stadium became clear. The club’s medical room lay in tatters when journalists were shown the ruin on Wednesday morning. In Carlisle’s home dressing room, sodden football kit was strewn across the muddy floor. | |
| Updated at 1.15pm GMT | |
| 12.53pm GMT12:53 | |
| Flood warnings reduced | |
| The Environment Agency has reduced the number of flood warnings in the north of England to 11, with one severe flood warning still in place for the River Wyre at south of St Michaels, Lancashire. | |
| 12.51pm GMT12:51 | |
| Helen Pidd | |
| Helen Pidd has been talking to a resident in from Corbridge, Northumberland, who feels the north-east has been neglected by the media. | |
| “There’s been so much on the TV about Cumbria and the north-west – but what about us?” asked Andy Feeley, as he helped his brother Ian clear his ruined house in Corbridge. | |
| “They kept showing an aerial shot of Carlisle football pitch but they could just as easily have come here and shown our rugby and cricket pitches under water,” he said, gesturing to the waterlogged fields behind him. | |
| This is the second time Ian Feeley’s house, on the Stanners, near Corbridge station, has flooded in 10 years. Water in the houses on his lane and nearby Station Road were engulfed by waters five-feet deep when the River Tyne rose over new flood defences installed just this January at a cost of £1.2m. | |
| According to the Environment Agency, at the height of the storm the Tyne rose to 5.14 metres in Corbridge, its highest recorded level. The resulting flooding has left 45 households homeless in the village. In total 99 properties were flooded out in Northumberland, according to the council. | |
| Despite the prospect of renovating the whole of the ground floor – again – Ian was philosophical about his situation. “The Environment Agency has already spent so much money raising the flood defences. What more can they do, really? Do you really want to be living in the shadow of a big concrete wall? It’ll be like living in East Berlin.” | |
| He said he was trying to take some positives from the situation. A builder by trade, he will be paid by his insurance company to renovate his own house - “on the upside, it’s nice to keep the house up-to-date” he joked – and he said didn’t want to move. “I still want to live here. I think about all the lovely walks we have by the river, those summer evenings sitting in the back garden with the patio doors open, the grandchildren playing, woodpeckers feeding. Listen to me, I could write a poem. We’ll be back.” | |
| Updated at 12.57pm GMT | |
| 12.40pm GMT12:40 | |
| Osborne said funds will be distributed by local councils in an effort to overcome “administrative problems” that delayed previous emergency payments. Cumbria police said its estimated worst-case scenario was that as many as 6,425 homes were flooded in the county. The government yesterday announced that an estimated 5,000 households and companies in Cumbria and Lancashire are to be given temporary relief from their council tax and business rates. | |
| 12.33pm GMT12:33 | 12.33pm GMT12:33 |
| At prime minister’s question time, Osborne confirmed under questioning from Labour’s Angela Eagle - who was standing in for Jeremy Corbyn - that families will get the same level of help as last time. Families will get up to £5,000, the chancellor told MPs. He also said the government will spend £2bn on flood defences, compared to Labour’s £1bn per parliament. Osborne adds that the government will match by up to £1m the money the Cumbrian foundation is raising for its flood appeal. | At prime minister’s question time, Osborne confirmed under questioning from Labour’s Angela Eagle - who was standing in for Jeremy Corbyn - that families will get the same level of help as last time. Families will get up to £5,000, the chancellor told MPs. He also said the government will spend £2bn on flood defences, compared to Labour’s £1bn per parliament. Osborne adds that the government will match by up to £1m the money the Cumbrian foundation is raising for its flood appeal. |
| 12.17pm GMT12:17 | 12.17pm GMT12:17 |
| 12.13pm GMT12:13 | 12.13pm GMT12:13 |
| Chancellor announces £50m fund to help flood victims | Chancellor announces £50m fund to help flood victims |
| Chancellor George Osborne has announced a £50m fund to help victims of floods. Politics live has more ... | Chancellor George Osborne has announced a £50m fund to help victims of floods. Politics live has more ... |
| Related: George Osborne and Angela Eagle at PMQs - Politics live | Related: George Osborne and Angela Eagle at PMQs - Politics live |
| Updated at 12.32pm GMT | Updated at 12.32pm GMT |
| 12.10pm GMT12:10 | 12.10pm GMT12:10 |
| A Carlisle resident tells workers from the relief charity the Al-Imdaad Foundation that it took six Carlisle United players to get his sodden sofa out on the street to dry. | A Carlisle resident tells workers from the relief charity the Al-Imdaad Foundation that it took six Carlisle United players to get his sodden sofa out on the street to dry. |
| LIVE UPDATES Case studies from #Carlisle https://t.co/3F7EEAEX7S @TaraVallente @food4thought20 @lancstelegraph @arewashams @Alimdaad | LIVE UPDATES Case studies from #Carlisle https://t.co/3F7EEAEX7S @TaraVallente @food4thought20 @lancstelegraph @arewashams @Alimdaad |
| 12.04pm GMT12:04 | 12.04pm GMT12:04 |
| Time for the forecast... | Time for the forecast... |
| The Met Office is still warning of more rain to come, but it says the impact will be “minor”. | The Met Office is still warning of more rain to come, but it says the impact will be “minor”. |
| More rain heading into the flood-hit areas today. Peter has a quick forecast. Jo pic.twitter.com/CujgjSEDbG | More rain heading into the flood-hit areas today. Peter has a quick forecast. Jo pic.twitter.com/CujgjSEDbG |
| 12.00pm GMT12:00 | 12.00pm GMT12:00 |
| Train passengers have praised the efforts of Network Rail and Virgin Trains to get services in the north west up and running again despite suffering disrupted journeys, writes Fred Searle. | Train passengers have praised the efforts of Network Rail and Virgin Trains to get services in the north west up and running again despite suffering disrupted journeys, writes Fred Searle. |
| “A small gesture of thanks to the guys at Network Rail who worked hard through the night to clear the mess and reopen a badly damaged railway line,” wrote Chris Prestage on Facebook. | “A small gesture of thanks to the guys at Network Rail who worked hard through the night to clear the mess and reopen a badly damaged railway line,” wrote Chris Prestage on Facebook. |
| “Kudos to Network Rail and Virgin trains,” added Andy Sweetman. | “Kudos to Network Rail and Virgin trains,” added Andy Sweetman. |
| “They made it and I boarded the first train that got through Carlisle going south [yesterday]. It appeared to go through several identities. Originally described as the 11.46, it quickly became the 12.08 and then further changes on the way down. It was also the ‘wrong way round’ and even the crew kept being surprised by the numerous changes. But they made it and looked after us well and, considering everything, that’s a great result.” | “They made it and I boarded the first train that got through Carlisle going south [yesterday]. It appeared to go through several identities. Originally described as the 11.46, it quickly became the 12.08 and then further changes on the way down. It was also the ‘wrong way round’ and even the crew kept being surprised by the numerous changes. But they made it and looked after us well and, considering everything, that’s a great result.” |
| 11.54am GMT11:54 | 11.54am GMT11:54 |
| The Westmorland Gazette has an extraordinary picture of flood victim Peter Clarkson swimming across his kitchen. | The Westmorland Gazette has an extraordinary picture of flood victim Peter Clarkson swimming across his kitchen. |
| It said the Kendal resident was forced to wade through waist-deep, cold water to reach the switch box and get the sump pumps working again. | It said the Kendal resident was forced to wade through waist-deep, cold water to reach the switch box and get the sump pumps working again. |
| 11.47am GMT11:47 | 11.47am GMT11:47 |
| Josh Halliday | Josh Halliday |
| Bride-to-be Sophie Watters was inconsolable when she saw pictures of Carlisle United’s submerged stadium on television - and not only because she’s a huge fan of the club, writes Josh Halliday. | Bride-to-be Sophie Watters was inconsolable when she saw pictures of Carlisle United’s submerged stadium on television - and not only because she’s a huge fan of the club, writes Josh Halliday. |
| Watters, 28, and her fiancé Richard Cakans, 38, were due to have their wedding reception at Brunton Park this Saturday. But those plans now lie in ruins thanks to Storm Desmond. | Watters, 28, and her fiancé Richard Cakans, 38, were due to have their wedding reception at Brunton Park this Saturday. But those plans now lie in ruins thanks to Storm Desmond. |
| Speaking as teams of volunteers helped clear debris from the devastated stadium on Wednesday, Watters said “gutted, devastated” her big day has been ruined. “It was perfect. I’d planned it in four weeks so I could get back to my business and then this happens,” she said. | Speaking as teams of volunteers helped clear debris from the devastated stadium on Wednesday, Watters said “gutted, devastated” her big day has been ruined. “It was perfect. I’d planned it in four weeks so I could get back to my business and then this happens,” she said. |
| Watters and her fiancé still plan to marry on Saturday - although a replacement reception venue has been impossible to find, with most places either hit by power cuts or already booked out for Christmas parties. | Watters and her fiancé still plan to marry on Saturday - although a replacement reception venue has been impossible to find, with most places either hit by power cuts or already booked out for Christmas parties. |
| In spite of it all, the club have been great. “I’m here to help them because they’ve helped us,” she said, donning heavy duty gloves to help with lift sodden objects from the stadium. | In spite of it all, the club have been great. “I’m here to help them because they’ve helped us,” she said, donning heavy duty gloves to help with lift sodden objects from the stadium. |
| 11.37am GMT11:37 | 11.37am GMT11:37 |
| The Mayor of one of the towns worst affected by the flooding during Storm Desmond has had to issue a new appeal – for people to stop donating goods, writes Mike Glover. | The Mayor of one of the towns worst affected by the flooding during Storm Desmond has had to issue a new appeal – for people to stop donating goods, writes Mike Glover. |
| Councillor Chris Hogg set up a special Kendal Cares emergency support group and reception centre in Kendal Town Hall. Almost 1,400 families in the town were evacuated from their homes at the weekend. | Councillor Chris Hogg set up a special Kendal Cares emergency support group and reception centre in Kendal Town Hall. Almost 1,400 families in the town were evacuated from their homes at the weekend. |
| Generous people in the town, and van loads of goods from other towns not affected, poured into Kendal. | Generous people in the town, and van loads of goods from other towns not affected, poured into Kendal. |
| The council chamber was full of blankets, bedding, clothes and toys for children. The Bindloss room, normally used for committee meetings, was full of food and household goods. | The council chamber was full of blankets, bedding, clothes and toys for children. The Bindloss room, normally used for committee meetings, was full of food and household goods. |
| But supply far outstripped demand and now Hogg has announced on social media: “Due to the overwhelming generosity of people, we do not need any more clothes or food and are having a problem with more donations coming in, with nowhere for them to go! | But supply far outstripped demand and now Hogg has announced on social media: “Due to the overwhelming generosity of people, we do not need any more clothes or food and are having a problem with more donations coming in, with nowhere for them to go! |
| “Please don’t bring any more! Thank you so much!” | “Please don’t bring any more! Thank you so much!” |
| The plea to stop does not apply to the cash appeal by charity Cumbria Community Foundation which set itself a target of £1m on Sunday. It is about half-way there. | The plea to stop does not apply to the cash appeal by charity Cumbria Community Foundation which set itself a target of £1m on Sunday. It is about half-way there. |
| The foundation gives immediate cash loans of up to £500 to desperate families as well as long-term support. | The foundation gives immediate cash loans of up to £500 to desperate families as well as long-term support. |
| 11.26am GMT11:26 | 11.26am GMT11:26 |
| The landlord of the Sun Inn in Pooley Bridge fears that his business will suffer after the village bridge was washed away in the floods. | The landlord of the Sun Inn in Pooley Bridge fears that his business will suffer after the village bridge was washed away in the floods. |
| The pub, at northern end of Ullswater is open for trade again after providing refuge for people whose homes were flooded. | The pub, at northern end of Ullswater is open for trade again after providing refuge for people whose homes were flooded. |
| Landlord John McGuire said he has been given permission to trade after a messy cleanup operation. He said: “We’ve had to put new chillers in and a new under-counter cooling system. Until you get that [sanitation] certificate you can’t expect people to work in conditions where dirty water would have been”. | Landlord John McGuire said he has been given permission to trade after a messy cleanup operation. He said: “We’ve had to put new chillers in and a new under-counter cooling system. Until you get that [sanitation] certificate you can’t expect people to work in conditions where dirty water would have been”. |
| McGuire fears for the future because of loss of trade from the destruction of the bridge. Visitors from the nearby M6 now have to take a 20 mile detour to get to the pub he explained. | McGuire fears for the future because of loss of trade from the destruction of the bridge. Visitors from the nearby M6 now have to take a 20 mile detour to get to the pub he explained. |
| Aerial footage taken over the weekend graphically showed the destruction of the bridge. | Aerial footage taken over the weekend graphically showed the destruction of the bridge. |
| Since then McGuire said engineers have been “scratching their heads” working out how to replace the bridge. “All sorts of things are being bandied about whereby it could be anything up to two years to build a bridge, but it’s all speculation,” he said. | Since then McGuire said engineers have been “scratching their heads” working out how to replace the bridge. “All sorts of things are being bandied about whereby it could be anything up to two years to build a bridge, but it’s all speculation,” he said. |
| McGuire said a local fisherman, James Mackey, helped BT engineers get replacement cables across the swollen River Eamont, by casting a line over the water. An early attempt at getting a line across got stuck in a tree, he said. Mackey saved BT three days work, he claimed. | McGuire said a local fisherman, James Mackey, helped BT engineers get replacement cables across the swollen River Eamont, by casting a line over the water. An early attempt at getting a line across got stuck in a tree, he said. Mackey saved BT three days work, he claimed. |
| McGuire said he was insured but is weighing up whether to put in a claim because of fears that his premium will rise if he does. He is also considering claiming for loss of trade from the destruction of the bridge. | McGuire said he was insured but is weighing up whether to put in a claim because of fears that his premium will rise if he does. He is also considering claiming for loss of trade from the destruction of the bridge. |
| Updated at 12.14pm GMT | Updated at 12.14pm GMT |
| 10.14am GMT10:14 | 10.14am GMT10:14 |
| BBC Radio 4’s Today programme had a cheering interview with Gordon Tweedie, a Cumbrian dairy farmer who has been reunited with a herd of cows that he feared had perished in the floods. | BBC Radio 4’s Today programme had a cheering interview with Gordon Tweedie, a Cumbrian dairy farmer who has been reunited with a herd of cows that he feared had perished in the floods. |
| Tweedie, who farms near Penrith, lost 45 cows in the floods. | Tweedie, who farms near Penrith, lost 45 cows in the floods. |
| All of them have now been recovered including one that turned up 20 miles away on a golf course beyond Carlisle. | All of them have now been recovered including one that turned up 20 miles away on a golf course beyond Carlisle. |
| Tweedie said the cow could swim a bit but was also carried away in the flood water. | Tweedie said the cow could swim a bit but was also carried away in the flood water. |
| He added that other farmers had not been so lucky. “We are very concerned about those who have lost lots of stock, lots of sheep. There’s a group of goats that have gone down the river ... We urge the government and all the other authorities to provide help for agriculture just like they are providing help for the towns and cities.” | He added that other farmers had not been so lucky. “We are very concerned about those who have lost lots of stock, lots of sheep. There’s a group of goats that have gone down the river ... We urge the government and all the other authorities to provide help for agriculture just like they are providing help for the towns and cities.” |
| He added: “All’s well with [my] cattle, but please remember the people in the rural areas of Cumbria who are in great need at the moment and there’s lots of restoration work to be done.” | He added: “All’s well with [my] cattle, but please remember the people in the rural areas of Cumbria who are in great need at the moment and there’s lots of restoration work to be done.” |
| Updated at 10.30am GMT | Updated at 10.30am GMT |
| 9.35am GMT09:35 | 9.35am GMT09:35 |
| Before vowing to contact every flood-hit parish, Stewart has been involved in a spat with Guardian columnist George Monbiot. | Before vowing to contact every flood-hit parish, Stewart has been involved in a spat with Guardian columnist George Monbiot. |
| In his Tuesday column Monbiot criticised Stewart, and Lib Dem leader Tim Farron, for questioning calls for the better management of watersheds to prevent flooding. | In his Tuesday column Monbiot criticised Stewart, and Lib Dem leader Tim Farron, for questioning calls for the better management of watersheds to prevent flooding. |
| In 2013, Rory Stewart blasted the National Trust because it “allows water to ruin the lowland pastures of their small tenant farms, apparently on the advice of the Environment Agency”. In 2014, he mocked the RSPB and the water company United Utilities for managing their land “in a way that ‘increased biodiversity, decreased flooding, increased carbon capture’” ... | In 2013, Rory Stewart blasted the National Trust because it “allows water to ruin the lowland pastures of their small tenant farms, apparently on the advice of the Environment Agency”. In 2014, he mocked the RSPB and the water company United Utilities for managing their land “in a way that ‘increased biodiversity, decreased flooding, increased carbon capture’” ... |
| Now Messrs Stewart and Farron wring their hands and wring out their clothes, lamenting this inexplicable act of God. | Now Messrs Stewart and Farron wring their hands and wring out their clothes, lamenting this inexplicable act of God. |
| Stewart appears to be sticking to his views but offered to discuss the issue with Monbiot as well as the Environment Agency and the Met Office. | Stewart appears to be sticking to his views but offered to discuss the issue with Monbiot as well as the Environment Agency and the Met Office. |
| @GeorgeMonbiot @timfarron - we'll be in touch - prime driver has been rainfall intensity not grazing - suggest talk with EA +met office | @GeorgeMonbiot @timfarron - we'll be in touch - prime driver has been rainfall intensity not grazing - suggest talk with EA +met office |
| Writing on the Conservativehome blog, Andrew Gimson said Stewart’s run-in with Monbiot will be regarded as a feather in his new flood minister’s cap. | Writing on the Conservativehome blog, Andrew Gimson said Stewart’s run-in with Monbiot will be regarded as a feather in his new flood minister’s cap. |
| Here’s an extract of Gimson’s sympathetic profile of Stewart: | Here’s an extract of Gimson’s sympathetic profile of Stewart: |
| Early life was crowded with incident: he had been under fire in Iraq, walked 6,000 miles across Asia, written a successful book about the Afghan section of that walk, become a professor at Harvard and sold the rights to his story to Brad Pitt, who was reported to be planning a major motion picture with Orlando Bloom as the hero. | Early life was crowded with incident: he had been under fire in Iraq, walked 6,000 miles across Asia, written a successful book about the Afghan section of that walk, become a professor at Harvard and sold the rights to his story to Brad Pitt, who was reported to be planning a major motion picture with Orlando Bloom as the hero. |
| And now Stewart is Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Environment and Rural Affairs. Just now, this means he is floods minister. His gift for being on the spot as dramatic events unfold has not deserted him. | And now Stewart is Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Environment and Rural Affairs. Just now, this means he is floods minister. His gift for being on the spot as dramatic events unfold has not deserted him. |
| His vast constituency of Penrith and the Border has been grievously afflicted by the floods. Even in normal times it can take two hours to drive from one end of the seat to the other, which is the largest in England and includes 40 miles of the border with Scotland. | His vast constituency of Penrith and the Border has been grievously afflicted by the floods. Even in normal times it can take two hours to drive from one end of the seat to the other, which is the largest in England and includes 40 miles of the border with Scotland. |
| We have seen Stewart popping up all over this great expanse of country in a high-visibility jacket, paying tribute in an earnest tone to the emergency services, including contingents from as far away as Cornwall, and to his own constituents. There has been a total absence of Churchillian bombast, and a palpable concern for people whose livelihoods have been wrecked. | We have seen Stewart popping up all over this great expanse of country in a high-visibility jacket, paying tribute in an earnest tone to the emergency services, including contingents from as far away as Cornwall, and to his own constituents. There has been a total absence of Churchillian bombast, and a palpable concern for people whose livelihoods have been wrecked. |
| It falls to him as well as to his boss, Liz Truss, the Environment Secretary, to defend the Tories’ record since 2010 on flood defence. He has been denounced in the Guardian by George Monbiot: a rite of passage without which one cannot be said, in environmental circles, to have arrived. | It falls to him as well as to his boss, Liz Truss, the Environment Secretary, to defend the Tories’ record since 2010 on flood defence. He has been denounced in the Guardian by George Monbiot: a rite of passage without which one cannot be said, in environmental circles, to have arrived. |
| Updated at 9.36am GMT | Updated at 9.36am GMT |
| 9.14am GMT09:14 | 9.14am GMT09:14 |
| Floods minister and Rory Stewart has vowed to contact every parish hit by the floods including areas in Yorkshire, Northumberland and Lancashire, as well as Cumbria. | Floods minister and Rory Stewart has vowed to contact every parish hit by the floods including areas in Yorkshire, Northumberland and Lancashire, as well as Cumbria. |
| Pse RT Keen to speak to EVERY flooded parish. Cd parish council chairs please email CALC to make sure I have complete list to call + visit | Pse RT Keen to speak to EVERY flooded parish. Cd parish council chairs please email CALC to make sure I have complete list to call + visit |
| @Yorkie71 - yes - I'm trying to contact all flooded parishes - Lancs, Nberland + Yorks included. If outside Cumbria email me not CALC | @Yorkie71 - yes - I'm trying to contact all flooded parishes - Lancs, Nberland + Yorks included. If outside Cumbria email me not CALC |
| 8.59am GMT08:59 | 8.59am GMT08:59 |
| Josh Halliday | Josh Halliday |
| Heavy rain is forecast to return to Cumbria later with up to 12 hours of rainfall and further flooding possible, residents have been warned, writes Josh Halliday in Penrith. | Heavy rain is forecast to return to Cumbria later with up to 12 hours of rainfall and further flooding possible, residents have been warned, writes Josh Halliday in Penrith. |
| Some forecasters have predicted between 20mm and 40mm of rainfall starting on Wednesday afternoon. | Some forecasters have predicted between 20mm and 40mm of rainfall starting on Wednesday afternoon. |
| The Environment Agency said up to 58mm of rain could fall on Wednesday evening into Thursday, potentially hampering the recovery of the areas worst-hit at the weekend. | The Environment Agency said up to 58mm of rain could fall on Wednesday evening into Thursday, potentially hampering the recovery of the areas worst-hit at the weekend. |
| However, any flooding would not be of the same magnitude as that caused by Storm Desmond, which saw thousands of people evacuated from their homes and many more without power for days. | However, any flooding would not be of the same magnitude as that caused by Storm Desmond, which saw thousands of people evacuated from their homes and many more without power for days. |
| Sixteen flood alerts remain in place across Cumbria and Lancashire – however 48 have been removed in the past 24 hours indicating that the worst of the storm is over.Only one severe weather warning, meaning there is a risk to life, remains in place – for the area around the Lancashire village of St Michaels, south of the swollen river Wyre. | Sixteen flood alerts remain in place across Cumbria and Lancashire – however 48 have been removed in the past 24 hours indicating that the worst of the storm is over.Only one severe weather warning, meaning there is a risk to life, remains in place – for the area around the Lancashire village of St Michaels, south of the swollen river Wyre. |
| Flood warnings remain in place for areas around the Rivers Eden an Petteril, including Keswick campsite and Carlisle city centre – whose main artery, Warwick Road, only began to return to normal on Tuesday amid a clear-up by Carlisle United footballers. | Flood warnings remain in place for areas around the Rivers Eden an Petteril, including Keswick campsite and Carlisle city centre – whose main artery, Warwick Road, only began to return to normal on Tuesday amid a clear-up by Carlisle United footballers. |
| In a flood warning posted on Tuesday evening, the Environment Agency warned of more rain to come: | In a flood warning posted on Tuesday evening, the Environment Agency warned of more rain to come: |
| “River levels have peaked and are receding to normal levels however a flood alert remains in force. We advise that you keep an eye on the situation by listening to weather forecasts, checking our web pages or calling Floodline.“Operational teams are focusing on removal of water. Key to this is identifying suitable sites for the installation of pumping equipment which is being brought in from across the country. | “River levels have peaked and are receding to normal levels however a flood alert remains in force. We advise that you keep an eye on the situation by listening to weather forecasts, checking our web pages or calling Floodline.“Operational teams are focusing on removal of water. Key to this is identifying suitable sites for the installation of pumping equipment which is being brought in from across the country. |
| “Our Incident Response teams are on 24 hour duty. We will continue to monitor the situation and update this forecast as new information becomes available. Rain is forecast between 5am and mid day on the 9th December of up to 10mm in 1 hour. This is a low confidence forecast. | “Our Incident Response teams are on 24 hour duty. We will continue to monitor the situation and update this forecast as new information becomes available. Rain is forecast between 5am and mid day on the 9th December of up to 10mm in 1 hour. This is a low confidence forecast. |
| “This is forecast for the north west and south Lakes area. A further persistent band of rain is forecast over Cumbria Wednesday evening of up to 58mm maximum and will continue into Thursday.” | “This is forecast for the north west and south Lakes area. A further persistent band of rain is forecast over Cumbria Wednesday evening of up to 58mm maximum and will continue into Thursday.” |
| Steve Cleaton, of BBC Weather, said rain would begin to ease off in the early hours of Thursday. | Steve Cleaton, of BBC Weather, said rain would begin to ease off in the early hours of Thursday. |
| “There is scope for some issues because of the persistent rain but nothing like what it was over the weekend - when there was 36 hours of rain. This will be about 10 to 12 hours”, he said. | “There is scope for some issues because of the persistent rain but nothing like what it was over the weekend - when there was 36 hours of rain. This will be about 10 to 12 hours”, he said. |
| “The level of rainfall will be between 20mm to 40mm - it’s a reasonable amount of rain but not comparable to what we had.” | “The level of rainfall will be between 20mm to 40mm - it’s a reasonable amount of rain but not comparable to what we had.” |
| 8.42am GMT08:42 | 8.42am GMT08:42 |
| Summary | Summary |
| Welcome to our continuing live coverage of the aftermath of Storm Desmond as heavy rain returns to Cumbria threatening further flooding and hampering the cleanup operation. | Welcome to our continuing live coverage of the aftermath of Storm Desmond as heavy rain returns to Cumbria threatening further flooding and hampering the cleanup operation. |
| Here’s a round up of how things currently stand: | Here’s a round up of how things currently stand: |