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Christmas Day flood warnings prompt meeting of emergency Cobra committee Soldiers sent to flood-hit areas of Cumbria on Christmas Day
(about 7 hours later)
The government’s emergency Cobra committee is to meet as thousands pray for a dry Christmas Day with another storm rolling across the UK prompting more flood warnings. Members of the armed forces were deployed across flood-hit areas of Cumbria on Christmas Day, with yet more flood warnings issued as the government’s emergency Cobra committee met
Heavy rain is forecast to fall on Friday evening, feeding already swollen rivers in Cumbria, where flooding has hit some areas three times previously this month. Troops have been helping local people put out sandbags in preparation for yet more heavy rain, in a region where some areas have been flooded three times this month. The Met Office said December had been the wettest since records began.
About 30 flood warnings have been issued across a swath of the country, stretching from Wales to Scotland. Around 30 flood warnings were issued in advance of Storm Eva, which is expected to roll across northern England and Wales through Christmas night, reaching southern Scotland on Boxing Day.
But the north of England is expected to bear the brunt again as Storm Eva rolls in. Soldiers from 2nd Battalion Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, based at Weeton barracks near Preston, deployed early on Friday morning to the beleaguered Cumbrian town of Appleby to help build new flood defences, the Ministry of Defence said.
A Defra spokeswoman said: “As a result of the weather forecast, there will be a ministerial Cobra on Christmas Day to review the latest situation and receive further updates.” The environment secretary, Liz Truss, chaired the government’s Cobra committee, which was also attended by Environment Agency chief executive Sir James Bevan, to coordinate the response in areas expected to be worst hit overnight.
Another deluge of up to 6in (15cm) of rain is expected in Cumbria, which has already suffered the wettest December since records began in 1910. “While we continue to monitor forecasts to model the precise impacts, we know rain will be falling on already saturated ground in Cumbria,” Truss said in a statement on Friday. “People are working round the clock, and through Christmas Day, to help communities prepare.”
A multi-agency Strategic Coordination Group has been set up to combat the expected flooding. Defra said more than 700 Environment Agency staff were on standby, many already checking flood defences, clearing blockages and monitoring water levels, with 85% of the country’s temporary flood barriers now in use in Cumbria. More than 20 pumps have also been set up, four of them capable of moving one metric tonne of water per second.
Armed forces personnel have been called in and 700 Environment Agency staff are on standby to bolster flood defences as more sandbags and water pumps are rushed to Cumbria. Proud of the work @EnvAgency teams are doing to prepare for heavy rain on Xmas night and Boxing Day https://t.co/ZBfy9hYrQs
Flood defence gates have been closed in Carlisle, Keswick and Cockermouth, and the EA has transported over 2km of temporary flood barriers and more than 20 extra pumps to the north of England. “This has been a very difficult time for all involved, especially people flooded out of their homes at Christmas for which I have enormous sympathy,” Truss said. “I want to assure them we are doing all we can to keep them safe and help them recover.”
Teams of workers from the agency have also been out checking and maintaining flood defences, clearing blockages in watercourses and monitoring water levels. The 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.”
The Met Office has issued an amber alert for the county, highlighting the increased likelihood of “medium impacts” from the rain, meaning some flooding of homes, businesses and transport links is possible. Paul Mustow, the EA’s deputy director in flood and coastal risk management, said: “Our thoughts are with all those who have had their homes and businesses flooded, some several times, in the run-up to Christmas.
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. “On Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and throughout the Christmas period our operational teams, contractors, and the military will be working around the clock to do all we can to reduce the potential impacts of flooding and support those communities affected.
The latest deluge will come as towns and villages across the county are still clearing up the aftermath of Storm Desmond earlier this month, which left hundreds of homes and businesses under water. “With heavy rain expected later today and tonight, we urge people to remain vigilant. We also want to remind people never to drive through flood water: just 30cm of flowing water is enough to move your car.”
About 40 roads and bridges remain damaged and closed, along with hundreds of homes left uninhabitable. The EA has also issued flood warnings for the next three days along the river Severn in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, and Worcestershire, and the river Ouse in York, with the possibility of roads being flooded.
Cluanie Inn in Inverness, Scotland, was where the most rain fell overnight, with 0.78in (19.8mm) recorded between 5pm and 5am, a Met Office spokesman said. High tides and strong waves are expected to hit the south and west coast of England over the coming days, with the EA warning Boxing Day walkers to take special care on coastal paths and promenades.
Elsewhere, the EA 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, travel disruption and delays due to temporary flood defences being deployed. The Met Office has issued an amber warning for heavy rain in the north-west of England over Boxing Day, with downpours forecast also in north Wales and Northern Ireland, with some snow over the Scottish hills.
High tides are also expected, bringing with them the potential for large waves and spray along parts of the south and west coast of England.
Sir James Bevan, chief executive of the EA, said that after the latest run of bad weather the agency will talk to the communities affected to look at how they can be better protected in the future.
More information and help is available at gov.uk or follow EnvAgency and #floodaware on Twitter for the latest flood updates.
Traffic and travel information is available at the Cumbria Constabulary website and a helpline has been opened on 0345 988 1188.