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Rescue under way as floods worsen Rescue under way as floods worsen
(10 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.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.
There are currently six severe flood warnings in Cumbria and 10 in Scotland.There are currently six severe flood warnings in Cumbria and 10 in Scotland.
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.
About 1,145 homes in the Cockermouth area and 349 around Keswick were without power on Thursday night and water levels in both towns are predicted to rise further during the night.About 1,145 homes in the Cockermouth area and 349 around Keswick were without power on Thursday night and water levels in both towns are predicted to rise further during the night.
Ch Supt Steve Johnson told BBC Radio Cumbria said: "I would like to say it has reached its peak, but I cannot say that.Ch Supt Steve Johnson told BBC Radio Cumbria said: "I would like to say it has reached its peak, but I cannot say that.
"The emergency services are all clubbing together. We are trying to get to all those houses that are in trouble where people are trapped and to get them to the reception centres.""The emergency services are all clubbing together. We are trying to get to all those houses that are in trouble where people are trapped and to get them to the reception centres."
He said flood defences installed in Carlisle following the 2005 floods appeared to have worked, but added: "We are not taking anything for granted."He said flood defences installed in Carlisle following the 2005 floods appeared to have worked, but added: "We are not taking anything for granted."
John Carlin, owner of the Allerdale Court Hotel, in Cockermouth, said the amount of rainfall was "staggering".John Carlin, owner of the Allerdale Court Hotel, in Cockermouth, said the amount of rainfall was "staggering".
"I have lived here for 15 years and have never seen anything like it," he said."I have lived here for 15 years and have never seen anything like it," he said.
"At two o'clock it was raining heavily, but there was nothing here. But now there is four feet of water outside my front door."At two o'clock it was raining heavily, but there was nothing here. But now there is four feet of water outside my front door.

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
"It's desperate. The town centre is completely flooded, the only people out there at the moment are the emergency services. The water is up to the waists of the firefighters.""It's desperate. The town centre is completely flooded, the only people out there at the moment are the emergency services. The water is up to the waists of the firefighters."
Some 20 schools in the area were earlier forced to close and riverside properties in Kendal, including a care home, have been evacuated.Some 20 schools in the area were earlier forced to close and riverside properties in Kendal, including a care home, have been 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.
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 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.The six severe flood warnings in Cumbria are in Cockermouth, Keswick, Southwaite Bridge and Eamont Bridge plus two in Burneside.
The RNLI has sent seven lifeboats from north east England to assist the rescue effort and several schools are acting as reception centres for those evacuated. The RNLI has sent several lifeboats from north east England to assist the rescue effort and several schools are acting as reception centres for those evacuated.
'Treacherous''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.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.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.
The main street and square in Cockermouth have been inundatedThe main street and square in Cockermouth have been inundated
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.
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 27 flood warnings in the Midlands, Wales and north-east and north-west England, there are also a further 52 less serious flood watches.As well as 27 flood warnings in the Midlands, Wales and north-east and north-west England, there are also a further 52 less serious flood watches.
In Scotland, 13 flood warnings and 15 flood watches are in force.In Scotland, 13 flood warnings and 15 flood watches are in force.
Elderly neighboursElderly neighbours
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.
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.
CUMBRIA RECEPTION CENTRES Cockermouth Secondary SchoolKeswick Convention CentreUlverston Victoria Hall SchoolPenrith Leisure CentreCUMBRIA RECEPTION CENTRES Cockermouth Secondary SchoolKeswick Convention CentreUlverston Victoria Hall SchoolPenrith Leisure Centre
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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