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Flooding hits rain-battered north Rescue under way as floods worsen
(20 minutes later)
The fire service and RAF are trying to rescue about 200 people, via helicopter, from the centre of the Cumbrian town of Cockermouth.
Heavy rain has brought floods to north-western parts of the UK, with Cumbria and Dumfries and Galloway worst hit.Heavy rain has brought floods to north-western parts of the UK, with Cumbria and Dumfries and Galloway worst hit.
The Environment Agency has now issued six severe flood warnings in Cumbria and four in Scotland. There are currently six severe flood warnings in Cumbria and 10 in Scotland.
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.
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BBC WEATHER24-hour forecast

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Forecast published at 1200 BST, 19 November 2009UK forecast at href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/weather/">BBC Weather 		A spokesman for Cumbria Police said about 1,145 homes in the Cockermouth area and 345 around Keswick were without power on Thursday night.
One centre manager likened the weather situation to the flooding in 2005, saying: "This may get worse before it gets better." Some 20 schools in the area were earlier forced to close and riverside properties in Kendall, including a care home, have been evacuated.
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.
At the Sellafield nuclear reprocessing plant, almost 5,000 workers were sent home because of difficult road conditions.At the Sellafield nuclear reprocessing plant, almost 5,000 workers were sent home because of difficult road conditions.
Meanwhile, in the Scottish Borders, the Teviot Water overflowed and people living nearby have been warned to take action. href="/nol/shared/bsp/hi/image_sliders/css/default_v4.css" type="text/css" media="screen" rel="stylesheet" /> href="/nol/shared/bsp/hi/image_sliders/css/default_v4ie.css" type="text/css" media="screen" rel="stylesheet" />

BBC WEATHER24-hour forecast

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Forecast published at 1200 BST, 19 November 2009UK forecast at href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/weather/">BBC Weather
The Environment Agency, which covers England and Wales, has received more than 7,000 calls to its Floodline service from members of the public in the past 36 hours.
The six severe flood warnings in Cumbria are in Cockermouth, Keswick, Southwaite Bridge and Eamont Bridge plus two in Burneside.
'Treacherous'
Meanwhile, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency said on Thursday night there was particular concern about the towns of Kelso and Coldstream in the Borders where there are fears that the Tweed could burst its banks at around 0300 GMT.
The 10 severe flood warnings in place cover three sections of the River Tweed, two sections of the River Earn and the River Isla in Perthshire and the River Nith in Dumfries and Galloway.
Fire and rescue teams in Dumfries and Galloway have been called out to reports of animals trapped by flood waters and stranded vehicles.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.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.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.
Hilary Benn: "The situation is changing quite fast; further rain is forecast"Hilary Benn: "The situation is changing quite fast; further rain is forecast"
Eskdalemuir in Dumfries and Galloway had 57.8mm (2.3in).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.
TrappedTrapped
The BBC Weather Centre said winds were expected to gust up to 70mph (112km/h) in some areas.The BBC Weather Centre said winds were expected to gust up to 70mph (112km/h) in some areas.
Forecaster Tomasz Schafernaker said there would be a brief respite from the rain on Friday, but more wet weather would follow 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.
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 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.
ON THE SCENE IN DUMFRIES Lorna Gordan Scotland correspondent BBC NewsON THE SCENE IN DUMFRIES Lorna Gordan Scotland correspondent BBC News
Ask anyone in Dumfries about flooding and they'll immediately point you to the Whitesands area of the town.Ask anyone in Dumfries about flooding and they'll immediately point you to the Whitesands area of the town.
When the River Nith is running high, the road here is the first to be closed, and the shops and businesses alongside are the ones most at risk of flooding.When the River Nith is running high, the road here is the first to be closed, and the shops and businesses alongside are the ones most at risk of flooding.
The first signs are obvious. The fast-flowing murky brown waters first splashing onto the pavement; then flooding a nearby car park; and then creeping across the empty road - all traffic diverted, all cars which would have been in the path of the water earlier removed.The first signs are obvious. The fast-flowing murky brown waters first splashing onto the pavement; then flooding a nearby car park; and then creeping across the empty road - all traffic diverted, all cars which would have been in the path of the water earlier removed.
It is now hard to spot where the river ends, and the road would ordinarily be.It is now hard to spot where the river ends, and the road would ordinarily be.
But one shop owner told me that along this particular stretch they are used to the river bursting its banks. It floods here at least once a year, if not more, and today they have their flood defences in place.But one shop owner told me that along this particular stretch they are used to the river bursting its banks. It floods here at least once a year, if not more, and today they have their flood defences in place.
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 (9.8in) of rain possible on higher ground.The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings, with up to 250mm (9.8in) of rain possible on higher ground.
Residents and businesses in Carlisle, hit by devastating floods in 2005, were also braced for flooding.Residents and businesses in Carlisle, hit by devastating floods in 2005, were also braced for flooding.
Temporary defences were erected overnight, while some 2,500 properties are expected to be protected by defences installed after the 2005 floods.Temporary defences were erected overnight, while some 2,500 properties are expected to be protected by defences installed after the 2005 floods.
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.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.
On Wednesday night, fire crews rescued people trapped in cars in Bala, Gwynedd.On Wednesday night, fire crews 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.
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.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.
The Environment Agency has advised people to check on elderly neighbours, move valuables to safety and be ready to turn off power supplies.The Environment Agency has advised people to check on elderly neighbours, move valuables to safety and be ready to turn off power supplies.
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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