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Flooding warnings for parts of UK Flood warnings as rain batters UK
(about 4 hours later)
People in north-west England and south-west Scotland face a high risk of their homes being damaged by flooding, the Environment Agency is warning. Householders are braced for flooding after heavy rain battered parts of northern England, north-west Wales and western Scotland - with more to come.
There are 37 flood warnings in place across Britain, but BBC forecasters said Cumbria and Dumfries and Galloway were at greatest risk on Thursday. Cumbria bore the brunt with the village of Shap witnessing 40mm (1.6in) in 12 hours and Keswick 30mm (1.2in) of rain.
North Wales has already been hit by heavy rain and has had some flooding. Severe weather warnings are in place and there are 30 flood warnings across England and Wales and 10 in Scotland.
BBC forecasters said Cumbria and Dumfries and Galloway were at greatest risk on Thursday.
The Environment Agency said a handful of properties in Cumbria and north-west Wales had already flooded.
And the BBC Weather Centre said winds would gust up to 70mph (112km/h) in some areas, but added the extremely wet weather was the main concern.
SCOTLAND'S FLOOD WARNINGS Tidal Clyde between Dumbarton and Kingston Bridge in Glasgow and on the Renfrewshire coastWater of LeithJed WaterRiver Earn from Comrie to Crieff and from Crieff to Bridge of EarnRiver LyonRiver Nith downstream of Auldgirth including DumfriesRiver Isla from Bridge of Ruthven to River TayArgyll and Bute coast from Campbeltown to Cardross including HelensburghLiddel Water
Forecaster Tomasz Schafernaker said he expected there to be a brief respite from the rain on Friday, but this would be followed by another spell of wet weather on Saturday.
He said the threat of flooding was not necessarily because of torrential rain but because the ground had become saturated from persistent, heavy downpours.
As well as a total of 30 flood warnings in the Midlands, Wales and north-east and north-west England, there are also a further 55 less serious flood watches.
In Scotland, 10 flood warnings and 17 flood watches are in force.
The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings, with up to 250mm of rain (9.8in) possible on higher ground.The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings, with up to 250mm of rain (9.8in) possible on higher ground.
The Cumbrian Fells, in particular, could experience significant downpours.The Cumbrian Fells, in particular, could experience significant downpours.
An Environment Agency spokesman said: "Due to recent heavy rain and the current weather forecast, we are expecting flooding to property in the north west of England, particularly Cumbria, from late tonight and into tomorrow. The Environment Agency advised people to check on elderly neighbours, move valuables to safety and be ready to turn off power supplies.
A spokesperson said: "Due to recent heavy rain and the current weather forecast, we are expecting flooding to property in the north west of England, particularly Cumbria, from late tonight and into tomorrow.
People trapped
"Environment Agency teams are working around the clock, monitoring river levels and are out on the ground checking flood defences and clearing debris from rivers.""Environment Agency teams are working around the clock, monitoring river levels and are out on the ground checking flood defences and clearing debris from rivers."
The spokesman also warned of a possible tidal surge on Thursday in the northern Irish Sea which could increase the flood risk along the west coast from Aberystwyth northwards.The spokesman also warned of a possible tidal surge on Thursday in the northern Irish Sea which could increase the flood risk along the west coast from Aberystwyth northwards.
The BBC Weather Centre says winds will gust up to 70mph (112km/h) in some areas, but adds that the extremely wet weather is the main concern.
Forecaster Tomasz Schafernaker said he expected there to be a brief respite from the rain on Friday, but this would be followed by another spell of wet weather on Saturday.
He said the threat of flooding was not necessarily because of torrential rain but because the ground had become saturated from persistent, heavy downpours.
As well as a total of 31 flood warnings in the Midlands, Wales and north east and north west England, there were also a further 64 less serious flood watches on Thursday morning.
In Scotland, six flood warnings are in force. They are for the tidal Clyde between Dumbarton and the Kingston Bridge in Glasgow and on the Renfrewshire coast, the Water of Leith, Ettrick Water, Jed Water and the River Earn from Comrie to Crieff and downstream from Crieff to Bridge of Earn.
There are 15 flood watches elsewhere in the country.
Flood warnings
Cumbria Police said on Wednesday night there was a large flood on the A69 at Warwick Bridge, in Carlisle, which was approximately 70 yards (64m) long, but that the road was passable with care.Cumbria Police said on Wednesday night there was a large flood on the A69 at Warwick Bridge, in Carlisle, which was approximately 70 yards (64m) long, but that the road was passable with care.
The force added that flooding in the area was expected to peak in the latter part of the night.The force added that flooding in the area was expected to peak in the latter part of the night.
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Elliot Robertson from the Environment Agency on heavy rain affecting parts of Cumbria and the Yorkshire Dales
In Wales, dozens of roads were impassable on Wednesday night and a number of bridges closed to vehicles.In Wales, dozens of roads were impassable on Wednesday night and a number of bridges closed to vehicles.
The fire service said it had rescued people trapped in cars in Bala, Gwynedd.The fire service said it had rescued people trapped in cars in Bala, Gwynedd.
Roads have also been closed and homes are at risk in towns across Lancashire, especially in areas near to the River Calder and River Irwell, which has already burst its banks.Roads have also been closed and homes are at risk in towns across Lancashire, especially in areas near to the River Calder and River Irwell, which has already burst its banks.
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Elliot Robertson from the Environment Agency on heavy rain affecting parts of Cumbria and the Yorkshire Dales
Roads in Todmorden were shut because of flooding, and homeowners in Chatterton and Strongstry have been warned they could be at risk.Roads in Todmorden were shut because of flooding, and homeowners in Chatterton and Strongstry have been warned they could be at risk.
Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said it had seen an increase in calls, and had attended 13 weather-related incidents. Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said it had seen an increase in calls.
A spokesman for Lancashire County Council said the authority was prepared. A spokesman for Lancashire County Council said: "We do have contingency plans in place; Lancashire County Council is working with the emergency services and relevant agencies, and we're fully prepared for this situation."
He said: "We do have contingency plans in place; Lancashire County Council is working with the emergency services and relevant agencies, and we're fully prepared for this situation."
Flooding also hit sections of the West Coast Mainline in Cumbria causing disruption to train services, with passengers experiencing delays of up to an hour before the flooded sections were cleared.Flooding also hit sections of the West Coast Mainline in Cumbria causing disruption to train services, with passengers experiencing delays of up to an hour before the flooded sections were cleared.
Are you in one of the areas on flood alert? What are conditions like where you are? Send us your comments and pictures.Are you in one of the areas on flood alert? What are conditions like where you are? Send us your comments and pictures.
Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to 61124 or you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to 61124 or you have a large file you can upload here.
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