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Cobra committee to meet over new Cumbria flooding fears Army deployed in Cumbria over new flooding fears
(about 2 hours later)
The government's emergency committee, Cobra, is set to meet on Christmas Day to discuss fears more rain later could bring further flooding to Cumbria. The Army has been called in to support efforts to protect flood-hit areas of Cumbria amid fears that more heavy rain will fall on Christmas Day.
The county has suffered flooding this month and is braced for further problems over the next couple of days. People are set to spend the day putting out sandbags in preparation and flood defence gates have been closed in Cockermouth, Carlisle and Keswick.
People are set to spend Christmas Day putting out sandbags in preparation. The government's emergency committee, Cobra, will also discuss the situation later.
Heavy rain is forecast to fall on already high rivers and saturated ground later on Friday. Flooding has hit the county three times this month. Cumbria has suffered severe flooding three times this month.
And the county has already recorded the wettest December since records began in 1910. The Ministry of Defence said one company from 2nd Battalion Duke of Lancaster's Regiment (2LANCS), based at Weeton Barracks near Preston, was deployed to help build flood defences in Appleby early on Friday morning.
Burst banks Heavy rain is forecast to fall on already high rivers and saturated ground later on Friday.
The armed forces have been put on a four-hour standby to help with evacuations if needed and 700 Environment Agency staff are ready to bolster flood defences as more sandbags and water pumps are delivered. Rain will spread across Wales and northern England through the course of Christmas Day, reaching southern parts of Scotland during the early hours of Boxing Day, with prolonged spells forecast for south Cumbria.
Flood defence gates have been closed in Cockermouth, Carlisle and Keswick. The county has already recorded the wettest December since records began in 1910.
Thousands of properties were affected when Storm Desmond brought a record amount of rainfall to Cumbria during the weekend of 5 and 6 December. The Met Office has issued an amber warning for rain - meaning "be prepared".
As well as the Army, the Environment Agency has 700 staff on stand-by to help people. It has also transported over two kilometres of temporary flood barriers and more than 20 extra pumps to the north of England and teams of workers have been out checking and maintaining flood defences, clearing blockages in watercourses and monitoring water levels.
Thousands of properties were affected when Storm Desmond brought a record amount of rainfall to Cumbria during the weekend of 5-6 December.
Four days later, further rain led to more flooding, and some parts of the county were inundated for a third time in a month on Tuesday after another deluge.Four days later, further rain led to more flooding, and some parts of the county were inundated for a third time in a month on Tuesday after another deluge.
Storm Eva
The Met Office has issued an amber warning for rain - meaning "be prepared" - which will begin on Boxing Day, and up to 120mm (4.7in) of rain is forecast to fall some areas, which could cause further flooding and travel disruption.
About 40 bridges and roads remain damaged or closed in the area.About 40 bridges and roads remain damaged or closed in the area.
Flood alerts have also been issued across many parts of the UK, with around 30 flood warnings in place from Wales to Scotland as the effects of Storm Eva take hold. Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said: "Even at Christmas our Armed Forces are keeping us safe. Once again they are responding to the Cumbria floods with a level of commitment that is to be applauded."
Flood alerts have also been issued across other parts of the UK, with around 30 flood warnings in place from Wales to Scotland as the effects of Storm Eva take hold.
The Environment Agency said for the next three days along the River Severn in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin and Worcestershire, and the River Ouse in York, there is a possibility of sections of roads being flooded.
Cluanie Inn in Inverness was where the most rain fell overnight from Christmas Eve to Christmas Day, with 19.8mm (0.78in) recorded in the 12-hour period to 05:00 GMT, the Met Office said.Cluanie Inn in Inverness was where the most rain fell overnight from Christmas Eve to Christmas Day, with 19.8mm (0.78in) recorded in the 12-hour period to 05:00 GMT, the Met Office said.
The storm left more than 2,000 homes and businesses in Ireland without electricity on Christmas Eve.The storm left more than 2,000 homes and businesses in Ireland without electricity on Christmas Eve.
Paul Mustow, deputy director in flood risk management at the Environment Agency, said his thoughts were with those who have had homes flooded in the run-up to Christmas.Paul Mustow, deputy director in flood risk management at the Environment Agency, said his thoughts were with those who have had homes flooded in the run-up to Christmas.
"Our operational teams are working throughout the Christmas period to take action to reduce the potential impacts of flooding and support those communities affected," he said."Our operational teams are working throughout the Christmas period to take action to reduce the potential impacts of flooding and support those communities affected," he said.
Meanwhile, Superintendent Justin Bibby of Cumbria Police urged people to "keep up to date with weather conditions".Meanwhile, Superintendent Justin Bibby of Cumbria Police urged people to "keep up to date with weather conditions".
Elsewhere, the Environment Agency has said that for the next three days along the River Severn in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin and Worcestershire, and the River Ouse in York, there is a possibility of sections of roads being flooded.
People can access information from council websites and the Environment Agency Floodline.People can access information from council websites and the Environment Agency Floodline.
The agency is also operating a phone line - 0345 988 1188 - which will be staffed rather than offering recorded information.The agency is also operating a phone line - 0345 988 1188 - which will be staffed rather than offering recorded information.
Live flood warnings from the Environment Agency and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.Live flood warnings from the Environment Agency and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.