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Flood warnings as rain batters UK Flood warnings as rain batters UK
(20 minutes later)
Householders are braced for flooding after heavy rain battered parts of northern England, north-west Wales and western Scotland - with more to come.Householders are braced for flooding after heavy rain battered parts of northern England, north-west Wales and western Scotland - with more to come.
Cumbria bore the brunt with the village of Shap witnessing 40mm (1.6in) in 12 hours and Keswick 30mm (1.2in) of rain.Cumbria bore the brunt with the village of Shap witnessing 40mm (1.6in) in 12 hours and Keswick 30mm (1.2in) of rain.
Severe weather warnings are in place and there are 30 flood warnings across England and Wales and 10 in Scotland.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.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.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.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.
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.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.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.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.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.
The Environment Agency advised people to check on elderly neighbours, move valuables to safety and be ready to turn off power supplies. The Environment Agency said the towns of Cockermouth, Kendal and Keswick in Cumbria were causing most concern.
Its Floodline service has received more than 7,000 calls from members of the public over the last 24 hours.
The 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.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 trappedPeople 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.
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.
Officials worked through the night in the city putting up temporary flood defences for 400 properties.
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 DalesElliot 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.
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.Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said it had seen an increase in calls.
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."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."
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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