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North of England on flood alert Alert as flood risk increases
(about 2 hours later)
The North of England is braced for more heavy rain, with the risk of flooding particularly high for Cumbria. Severe weather warnings have been issued in Cumbria as people brace themselves for flooding, with 200mm (7.9in) of rain possible in areas.
The River Wear at Bishop Auckland and Durham Riverside and the River Tees at Newbus Grange, Lower Dinsdale and Hurworth Place have flood Warnings. Seven flood warnings are currently in place at Keswick, Cockermouth, Egremont and Eamont Bridge near Penrith.
In Cumbria, warnings are also in place at Keswick Campsite and Carlisle. The Environment Agency said persistent downpours on Thursday would add to ground saturated by overnight rain.
Flood Watches, the least serious of the Environment Agency's alerts, have been placed on the lower and upper River Wear and the River Tyne. The Met Office issued the weather alerts, following forecasts of strong winds also being expected.
The Agency has warned people in areas at risk of flooding to check on the elderly, move valuable items to safety and be prepared to switch off gas and electricity supplies. Craig Cowperthwaite, of the Environment Agency, said: "The rivers nearest the fells will rise this morning, but for the likes of Carlisle it will be afternoon before it gets to high levels.
The Environment Agency's Glyn Vaughn says homeowners should prepare "People need to be vigilant all day and look out for flooding on roads when they are out and about in the county."
A 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 Met Office said between 50mm to 70mm of rain could fall widespread across the county before 0600 GMT on Friday with the possibility of 200mm across the most exposed fells.
"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." Fourteen flood watches, the least serious of the Environment Agency's alerts, have also been placed throughout the county.
Cumbria Police say there is a large flood on the A69 at Warwick Bridge in Carlisle, which is approximately 70 yards (64m) long, but that the road is passable with care. Surface water flooding has been reported in Ambleside and Windermere.
Flood watches indicate water is expected to build up on low lying land and roads, but flood warnings mean homes and businesses are likely to be affected. 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.
Earlier, heavy rainfall hit sections of the West Coast Mainline in Cumbria causing disruption to trains, although normal services have since resumed.
Are you in one of the areas on flood alert? What are conditions like where you live? Send us your comments and pictures.Are you in one of the areas on flood alert? What are conditions like where you live? Send us your comments and pictures.
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