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Residents seek refuge from floods Major floods hit parts of Cumbria
(about 1 hour later)
Flooding has hit parts of Cumbria as the county battles severe weather conditions, with 200mm (8in) of rain predicted for some areas.Flooding has hit parts of Cumbria as the county battles severe weather conditions, with 200mm (8in) of rain predicted for some areas.
Nineteen flood warnings are in place at Keswick, Cockermouth, Kendal, Egremont, Eamont Bridge, and Burneside. Nineteen flood warnings are in place at Keswick, Cockermouth, Kendal, Egremont, Eamont Bridge and Burneside.
More than 20 schools have been closed across the county and a nursing home in Keswick was evacuated as a precaution.More than 20 schools have been closed across the county and a nursing home in Keswick was evacuated as a precaution.
Rescue centres have been set up in Keswick and Cockermouth as river levels continue to rise.Rescue centres have been set up in Keswick and Cockermouth as river levels continue to rise.
Up to 40 residents in the Waterloo Street and Gote Street areas of Cockermouth sought refuge in an evacuation centre as water up to three feet (one metre) deep entered properties. Up to 40 residents in the Waterloo Street and Gote Street areas of Cockermouth sought refuge in an evacuation centre as water up to 3ft (1m) deep entered properties.
The Environment Agency said the rivers Cocker and Derwent have burst their banks. The Environment Agency said the rivers Cocker and Derwent had burst their banks.
Cut off More than 20 riverside properties in Kendal were evacuated, including a residential care centre.
More than 20 riverside properties in Kendal were evacuated, includes a residential care centre. Mountain rescue volunteers helped lead residents in Keswick to safety
Allerdale County Council said it had received more than 100 requests for sandbags in Keswick and Cockermouth, causing the supply to run out. Allerdale Council said it had received more than 100 requests for sandbags in Keswick and Cockermouth.
The River Kent at Burneside burst its banks early on Thursday, with the village now virtually cut off, with residents reporting cars covered by floodwaters.The River Kent at Burneside burst its banks early on Thursday, with the village now virtually cut off, with residents reporting cars covered by floodwaters.
Residents and businesses in Carlisle, which was hit by devastating floods in 2005, have also been bracing themselves for flooding.Residents and businesses in Carlisle, which was hit by devastating floods in 2005, have also been bracing themselves for flooding.
Defences installed after the 2005 floods are expected to offer protection to more than 2,500 properties in the city. Defences installed after the 2005 event are expected to offer protection to more than 2,500 properties in the city.
Environment Agency and local authority staff worked throughout the night to erect temporary defences for an extra 400 properties.Environment Agency and local authority staff worked throughout the night to erect temporary defences for an extra 400 properties.
Exposed fells
Agency spokesman Craig Cowperthwaite said persistent downpours on Thursday would add to ground saturated by overnight rain.Agency spokesman Craig Cowperthwaite said persistent downpours on Thursday would add to ground saturated by overnight rain.
He 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.He 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.
"People need to be vigilant all day and look out for flooding on roads when they are out and about in the county.""People need to be vigilant all day and look out for flooding on roads when they are out and about in the county."
Early on Thursday Cumbria County Council moved all residents at Ravensfield Residential Home on High Hill in Keswick to safety because of the threat of flooding. Early on Thursday Cumbria County Council moved all residents at Ravensfield Residential Home, on High Hill in Keswick, to safety because of the threat of flooding.
The Met Office said between 50mm and 70mm (2-2.75ins) of rain could fall in widespread parts of the county before 0600 GMT on Friday, with the possibility of 200mm (8ins) across the most exposed fells. The Met Office said between 50mm and 70mm (2-2.75in) of rain could fall in widespread parts of the county before 0600 GMT on Friday, with the possibility of 200mm (8in) across the most exposed fells.
Fourteen flood watches, the least serious of the Environment Agency's alerts, have also been placed throughout the county.Fourteen flood watches, the least serious of the Environment Agency's alerts, have also been placed throughout the county.


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.
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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