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Soldiers sent to flood-hit areas of Cumbria on Christmas Day More flood warnings issued for north England and Wales
(about 5 hours later)
Members of the armed forces were deployed across flood-hit areas of Cumbria on Christmas Day, with more flood warnings issued as the government’s emergency Cobra committee met. 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. As members of the armed forces continued to assist in inundated areas of Cumbria on Christmas Day, the government’s emergency Cobra committee met and further flood warnings were issued.
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. The Met Office said December had been the wettest since records began. More than 110 flood alerts and warnings have been 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.
Soldiers from 2nd Battalion Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, based at Weeton barracks near Preston, were deployed early on Friday morning to the beleaguered Cumbrian town of Appleby to help build new flood defences, the Ministry of Defence said.The environment secretary, Liz Truss, chaired the meeting of 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. The Army was deployed to towns across Cumbria to build up flood defences before Eva makes landfall, bringing winds of up to 80mph and persistent downpours with it, Met Office forecasters issued an amber warning of rain for Cumbria, the north-west and parts of West Yorkshire lasting into Saturday night. They estimated that 50-80mm of rain would fall on high ground, and up to 120mm over exposed Lakeland areas.
By late afternoon on Christmas Day, the Environment Agency (EA) had issued 100 flood alerts across England and Wales, plus six warnings in the North East, two in the north-west, one in the south-west and three for Wales that flooding was “imminent”.
Troops have been helping locals in the north of England put out sandbags in preparation for yet more heavy rain, in a region where some areas have been flooded three times this month. Soldiers from 2nd Battalion Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, based at Weeton barracks near Preston, arrived in the beleaguered Cumbrian town of Appleby early on Friday morning to help build new flood defences, the Ministry of Defence said.
The environment secretary, Liz Truss, chaired the meeting of the government’s Cobra committee, which was also attended by EA chief executive Sir James Bevan, to coordinate the response in areas expected to be worst hit overnight.
“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.”“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.”
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. Defra said more than 700 EA 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.
Proud of the work @EnvAgency teams are doing to prepare for heavy rain on Xmas night and Boxing Day https://t.co/ZBfy9hYrQsProud of the work @EnvAgency teams are doing to prepare for heavy rain on Xmas night and Boxing Day https://t.co/ZBfy9hYrQs
“This has been a very difficult time for all involved, especially people flooded out of their homes at Christmas, for whom 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.”“This has been a very difficult time for all involved, especially people flooded out of their homes at Christmas, for whom 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.”
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 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.”
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 runup to Christmas. 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.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 runup to Christmas. 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.
Related: Cumbria floods: my week covering stories of loss, heartache and devotion
“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.”“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.”
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.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.
High tides and strong waves are expected to hit the south and west coasts of England over the coming days, with the EA warning Boxing Day walkers to take special care on coastal paths and promenades.High tides and strong waves are expected to hit the south and west coasts of England over the coming days, with the EA warning Boxing Day walkers to take special care on coastal paths and promenades.
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.