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Flood-hit Cumbria communities prepare for more wet weather Flood-hit Cumbria communities prepare for more wet weather
(about 2 hours later)
Cumbrian communities hit by floods during Storm Desmond are gearing up for a second weekend of wet weather.Cumbrian communities hit by floods during Storm Desmond are gearing up for a second weekend of wet weather.
The Environment Agency said it was checking the condition of flood defences and the position of pumps and temporary flood barriers before a predicted 6.5cm of rain on Saturday.The Environment Agency said it was checking the condition of flood defences and the position of pumps and temporary flood barriers before a predicted 6.5cm of rain on Saturday.
River levels in the county remain high days after water deluged homes and businesses. The agency said residents could expect further flooding on ground that was already sodden.River levels in the county remain high days after water deluged homes and businesses. The agency said residents could expect further flooding on ground that was already sodden.
Chris Wilding, the Environment Agency’s flood duty manager, said: “River levels are high and the ground is saturated after the exceptional rainfall from Storm Desmond and rain this week, so we continue to ask people to remain vigilant with further rainfall expected this weekend.”Chris Wilding, the Environment Agency’s flood duty manager, said: “River levels are high and the ground is saturated after the exceptional rainfall from Storm Desmond and rain this week, so we continue to ask people to remain vigilant with further rainfall expected this weekend.”
Related: Blackburn Rovers step in to host Carlisle United game after floodsRelated: Blackburn Rovers step in to host Carlisle United game after floods
A yellow weather warning for rain on Saturday was issued by the Met Office. The areas worst affected by floods include Carlisle, Keswick, Kendal, Cockermouth, Appleby, Glenridding and St Michael’s in Lancashire.A yellow weather warning for rain on Saturday was issued by the Met Office. The areas worst affected by floods include Carlisle, Keswick, Kendal, Cockermouth, Appleby, Glenridding and St Michael’s in Lancashire.
In Keswick, the clean-up operation was continuing with help from the army, which had spent the previous five days in Carlisle. In Keswick, the clean-up operation was continuing with help from the army, which spent the previous five days in Carlisle.
In the flood-ravaged market town, where the river Greta burst its banks, 100 service personnel from 2nd Battalion Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment were knocking on doors ensuring people were safe and offering help.In the flood-ravaged market town, where the river Greta burst its banks, 100 service personnel from 2nd Battalion Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment were knocking on doors ensuring people were safe and offering help.
Related: Flooded-out family of boy with cancer offered home by good samaritanRelated: Flooded-out family of boy with cancer offered home by good samaritan
Lt Col Hamish Cormack said the focus had turned to recovery and the troops would be there “for as long as we are needed”.Lt Col Hamish Cormack said the focus had turned to recovery and the troops would be there “for as long as we are needed”.
“We are supporting what is a massive recovery operation,” he added. “The whole thing has been pretty humbling – what the people have been through across Cumbria. We found ourselves rescuing the elderly and infirm, carrying them out. “We are supporting what is a massive recovery operation,” he added. “The whole thing has been pretty humbling – what the people have been through across Cumbria. We found ourselves rescuing the elderly and infirm, carrying them out. I think when they see 100 soldiers descend into the town, they are pretty reassured.”
“I think when they see 100 soldiers descend into the town, they are pretty reassured.”
Cumbria county councillor Andrew Lysser, a volunteer at the Keswick volunteer flood recovery group, said that even though the army had been drafted in, the “volunteer foot soldiers” would continue to visit properties.Cumbria county councillor Andrew Lysser, a volunteer at the Keswick volunteer flood recovery group, said that even though the army had been drafted in, the “volunteer foot soldiers” would continue to visit properties.
Regarding the police response, he added: “I never saw a policeman for three days; even then it was a PCSO [community support officer]. It boils down to they don’t have resources. Regarding the police response, he said: “I never saw a policeman for three days; even then it was a PCSO [community support officer]. It boils down to they don’t have resources.
“We are the product of our own success. Yesterday we decided to have a meeting. We were absolutely exhausted, the volunteers needed a break and in walked the major of hundreds of squaddies saying: ‘Can we help?’ “We are the product of our own success. Yesterday, we decided to have a meeting. We were absolutely exhausted, the volunteers needed a break and in walked the major of hundreds of squaddies saying: ‘Can we help?’
“They have come fresh, with a fresh pair of eyes looking at the vulnerable areas. It was a massive weight lifted off our shoulders. If I want to emphasise anything it has to be the support and resilience.” “They have come fresh, with a fresh pair of eyes looking at the vulnerable areas. It was a massive weight lifted off our shoulders. If I want to emphasise anything, it has to be the support and resilience.”
Related: Storm Desmond flood waters recede: Carlisle and Cockermouth, then and nowRelated: Storm Desmond flood waters recede: Carlisle and Cockermouth, then and now
But some say that support has come too late after transport infrastructure was affected, roads damaged and schools closed.But some say that support has come too late after transport infrastructure was affected, roads damaged and schools closed.
About 200 homes in Keswick were flooded and 600 people in the town were forced to abandon their properties, some for the third time in 10 years. But retailers declared they were open for business and determined to get back to normality, despite the trail of destruction and the clean-up bill of millions of pounds.About 200 homes in Keswick were flooded and 600 people in the town were forced to abandon their properties, some for the third time in 10 years. But retailers declared they were open for business and determined to get back to normality, despite the trail of destruction and the clean-up bill of millions of pounds.
Some residents said they had mixed feelings about the £6m defences installed after the floods of 2009. One said: “It saved some people but destroyed others. The water that was stopped one way has gone the other way.”Some residents said they had mixed feelings about the £6m defences installed after the floods of 2009. One said: “It saved some people but destroyed others. The water that was stopped one way has gone the other way.”
Guesthouse owner and retained firefighter Paul Maxwell was already counting his losses. “The army was too late for me – we needed everyone here at the time,” he said. “We are a week on. It is a sad state of affairs. It is like a tsunami has gone through the park.” Guesthouse owner and retained firefighter Paul Maxwell was already counting his losses. “The army was too late for me; we needed everyone here at the time,” he said. “We are a week on. It is a sad state of affairs. It is like a tsunami has gone through the park.”
Related: Floods bring people together, but they also wash away trust | Martin KettleRelated: Floods bring people together, but they also wash away trust | Martin Kettle
Meanwhile, Cumbria partnership NHS foundation trust shared stories of staff who had gone above and beyond in their duties.Meanwhile, Cumbria partnership NHS foundation trust shared stories of staff who had gone above and beyond in their duties.
One “incredibly selfless” member of the mental health team canoed to work after her house was flooded, while the neurological physiotherapy team in Carlisle gave up their Christmas party to volunteer at Hebron church, handing out hot drinks and food to vulnerable people.One “incredibly selfless” member of the mental health team canoed to work after her house was flooded, while the neurological physiotherapy team in Carlisle gave up their Christmas party to volunteer at Hebron church, handing out hot drinks and food to vulnerable people.
Cumbria’s multi-agency strategic recovery coordination group said it had moved “into top gear”, with plans to get the county back up and running as quickly as possible.Cumbria’s multi-agency strategic recovery coordination group said it had moved “into top gear”, with plans to get the county back up and running as quickly as possible.
The group, chaired by the county council, brings together district councils, the Environment Agency, police, health agencies, Lake District national park authorities, Cumbria community foundation, Cumbria chamber of commerce and central government representatives.The group, chaired by the county council, brings together district councils, the Environment Agency, police, health agencies, Lake District national park authorities, Cumbria community foundation, Cumbria chamber of commerce and central government representatives.
Diane Wood, the chief executive of Cumbria county council, said: “Cumbria has bounced back from situations like this before and we’ll do it again. We’ve got everyone round the table, we have a clear plan and we’re now starting the long road to recovery.Diane Wood, the chief executive of Cumbria county council, said: “Cumbria has bounced back from situations like this before and we’ll do it again. We’ve got everyone round the table, we have a clear plan and we’re now starting the long road to recovery.
“I want to be clear that while there’s a lot to do, Cumbria is very much up and open for business. I have no doubt that with the resilience and resourcefulness of the Cumbria communities we’ll emerge from this even stronger.”“I want to be clear that while there’s a lot to do, Cumbria is very much up and open for business. I have no doubt that with the resilience and resourcefulness of the Cumbria communities we’ll emerge from this even stronger.”