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Storm Eva batters northern England | Storm Eva batters northern England |
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Britain faces further downpours over the festive period with Storm Eva battering parts of the country with winds up to 70mph, as homeowners and businesses in Cumbria faced a flood clean-up for the third time this month. | Britain faces further downpours over the festive period with Storm Eva battering parts of the country with winds up to 70mph, as homeowners and businesses in Cumbria faced a flood clean-up for the third time this month. |
Streets in parts of Cumbria ran with fast-flowing water after yet more rain across the county on Tuesday night, with firefighters called out to eight incidents, rescuing several residents including a woman in her 70s. | |
The Environment Agency has issued flood warnings across parts of the north-west, Wales and the north-east, and warn of potential travel disruption over Christmas. In Cumbria, which has been worst hit this winter, flood warnings have been issued for Appleby, Carlisle, Kendal and Keswick. | The Environment Agency has issued flood warnings across parts of the north-west, Wales and the north-east, and warn of potential travel disruption over Christmas. In Cumbria, which has been worst hit this winter, flood warnings have been issued for Appleby, Carlisle, Kendal and Keswick. |
There are also 11 flood warnings and 14 flood alerts for all river catchments in the county. The Met Office has issued yellow warnings for rain throughout the region for Christmas Day and Boxing Day. | There are also 11 flood warnings and 14 flood alerts for all river catchments in the county. The Met Office has issued yellow warnings for rain throughout the region for Christmas Day and Boxing Day. |
“There is currently the possibility for further unsettled weather during the festive period which could lead to some disruption in the north of England,” an EA spokesman said. “We are monitoring the situation closely and will issue further flood alerts and warnings if required.” | “There is currently the possibility for further unsettled weather during the festive period which could lead to some disruption in the north of England,” an EA spokesman said. “We are monitoring the situation closely and will issue further flood alerts and warnings if required.” |
Worst affected in the most recent rains was the market town of Appleby-in-Westmorland, recently visited by the Prince of Wales in a show of solidarity with flood victims. It was the first to be affected when Storm Desmond first struck on 5 December. On Tuesday night, the river Eden overtopped its banks for the second time, causing the temporary closure of the bridge in the town centre. | |
Charlotte Ashley, whose home in Appleby has been flooded again, called the further deluge “unbelievable”. | Charlotte Ashley, whose home in Appleby has been flooded again, called the further deluge “unbelievable”. |
“No one’s ever seen this,” she told the BBC. “The water two weeks ago was above my head in the garage – you can’t deal with that kind of thing.” | “No one’s ever seen this,” she told the BBC. “The water two weeks ago was above my head in the garage – you can’t deal with that kind of thing.” |
In the village of Glenridding, owners of the beleaguered Glenridding hotel posted a despondent message on their Facebook page, saying they were really “feeling defeated”. | In the village of Glenridding, owners of the beleaguered Glenridding hotel posted a despondent message on their Facebook page, saying they were really “feeling defeated”. |
“The beck is overflowing once again past the bridge and the what was Ratchers Bar and the kitchen is flooding again,” it wrote. “Contractors are in trying to save their equipment. Beer garden starting to recede! Please no more rain.” | “The beck is overflowing once again past the bridge and the what was Ratchers Bar and the kitchen is flooding again,” it wrote. “Contractors are in trying to save their equipment. Beer garden starting to recede! Please no more rain.” |
Cumbria police said they did not expect the disruption caused by Storm Desmond to be repeated after Eva hits, but said rainfall would be falling on already saturated ground and is likely to cause surface water flooding on roads across the county. | |
Police said they had received reports of motorists ignoring road closure signs and continuing on their journey, which they said was “extremely dangerous and is putting your lives at risk and causing a strain on emergency services availability”. | Police said they had received reports of motorists ignoring road closure signs and continuing on their journey, which they said was “extremely dangerous and is putting your lives at risk and causing a strain on emergency services availability”. |
Ch Insp Matt Kennerley, of Cumbria Constabulary, said: “It is imperative that motorists react to the weather conditions and adapt their driving style accordingly. Please do not in any circumstance ignore road closure signs and continue on your journey. Driving through flood water is extremely dangerous as you cannot determine the depth.” | |
Though parts of the country face having festivities ruined by the wet weather and flooding, temperatures remain high, with bookies slashing odds on Friday being the warmest Christmas Day ever. Coral has it odds on at 1-2 that this December will be the warmest since records began. | |
The Met Office forecasts wet and windy weather over Christmas Eve, with gales in the north-west of the UK and the potential for storms in parts of the Outer Hebrides. | |
Gales are forecast to reach 60mph in parts of Wales and Scotland overnight into Christmas Eve, reaching 70mph in the Western Isles. | Gales are forecast to reach 60mph in parts of Wales and Scotland overnight into Christmas Eve, reaching 70mph in the Western Isles. |