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Flooding hits rain-battered north Flooding hits rain-battered north
(about 1 hour later)
Heavy rain has brought floods to north-western parts of the UK, with Dumfries and Galloway and Cumbria the worst hit.Heavy rain has brought floods to north-western parts of the UK, with Dumfries and Galloway and Cumbria the worst hit.
The Environment Agency has now issued six severe flood warnings in Cumbria and four in Scotland.The Environment Agency has now issued six severe flood warnings in Cumbria and four in Scotland.
Its Floodline service has received more than 7,000 calls from members of the public in the past 24 hours. Its Floodline service has received more than 7,000 calls from members of the public in the past 36 hours.
Dozens of people, many of them elderly, have sought shelter at emergency rescue centres set up across Cumbria and are expected to stay overnight.Dozens of people, many of them elderly, have sought shelter at emergency rescue centres set up across Cumbria and are expected to stay overnight.
One centre manager likened the weather situation to the flooding in 2005, saying: "This may get worse before it gets better."One centre manager likened the weather situation to the flooding in 2005, saying: "This may get worse before it gets better."
Seathwaite, Shap and Keswick in Cumbria recorded rainfall of 173mm (6.8in), 71.6mm (2.8in) and 64.2mm (2.5in) respectively in a 24-hour period. Some 20 schools were forced to close, as rising waters flooded Cockermouth high street and riverside properties in Kendall, including a care home, were evacuated.
Eskdalemuir in Dumfries and Galloway had 57.8mm (2.3in). At the Sellafield nuclear reprocessing plant, almost 5,000 workers were sent home because of difficult road conditions.
The six severe flood warnings in Cumbria are in Cockermouth, Keswick, Southwaite Bridge and Eamont Bridge plus two in Burneside. In Scotland they are at the River Tweed, Ettrick Water, Yarrow Water and Teviot Water.

BBC WEATHER24-hour forecast

Forecast published at 1200 BST, 19 November 2009UK forecast at BBC Weather

BBC WEATHER24-hour forecast

Forecast published at 1200 BST, 19 November 2009UK forecast at BBC Weather
Meanwhile, in the Scottish Borders, the Teviot Water overflowed and people living nearby have been warned to take action.
Fire and rescue teams in Dumfries and Galloway have been called out to reports of animals trapped by flood waters and stranded vehicles.
Drivers are being warned of "treacherous" conditions in the area.
Over a 24-hour period, Seathwaite, Shap and Keswick in Cumbria recorded rainfall of 173mm (6.8in), 71.6mm (2.8in) and 64.2mm (2.5in) respectively.
Eskdalemuir in Dumfries and Galloway had 57.8mm (2.3in).
The six severe flood warnings in Cumbria are in Cockermouth, Keswick, Southwaite Bridge and Eamont Bridge plus two in Burneside. In Scotland they are at the River Tweed, Ettrick Water, Yarrow Water and Teviot Water in the borders.
The BBC Weather Centre said winds are expected to gust up to 70mph (112km/h) in some areas.The BBC Weather Centre said winds are expected to gust up to 70mph (112km/h) in some areas.
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 there would be a brief respite from the rain on Friday, but more wet weather would follow on Saturday.
Dozens are expected to spend the night in rescue centres in Cumbria
The threat of flooding came from saturated ground from persistent heavy downpours rather than the latest torrential rain, he added.The threat of flooding came from saturated ground from persistent heavy downpours rather than the latest torrential rain, he added.
As well as a total of 26 flood warnings in the Midlands, Wales and north-east and north-west England, there are also a further 51 less serious flood watches. As well as 26 flood warnings in the Midlands, Wales and north-east and north-west England, there are also a further 51 less serious flood watches.
In Scotland, 17 flood warnings and 18 flood watches are in force.In Scotland, 17 flood warnings and 18 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 Cumbrian Fells, in particular, could experience significant downpours. The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings, with up to 250mm (9.8in) of rain possible on higher ground.
People caught up in floods are being warned not to walk through flood waters or try to unblock drains. Police are also advising against fell-walking in Cumbria. Residents and businesses in Carlisle, hit by devastating floods in 2005, were also braced for flooding.
In Carlisle, officials worked through the night to erect temporary flood defences for 400 properties. Temporary defences were erected overnight, while some 2,500 properties are expected to be protected by defences installed after the 2005 floods.
The Environment Agency has advised people to check on elderly neighbours, move valuables to safety and be ready to turn off power supplies.
People trappedPeople trapped
A spokesperson said: "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." In mid and north Wales, there have been road closures, disruption to train services and a brief power cut affecting 2,000 homes in Anglesey.
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. On Wednesday night, fire crews rescued people trapped in cars in Bala, Gwynedd.
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.
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.
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. People caught up in floods are being warned not to walk through flood waters or try to unblock drains. Police are also advising against fell-walking in Cumbria.
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." The Environment Agency has advised people to check on elderly neighbours, move valuables to safety and be ready to turn off power supplies.
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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