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Rescuers help 200 in flooded town Rescuers help 200 in flooded town
(about 1 hour later)
About 200 people have been rescued in the town of Cockermouth, as floods struck across Cumbria. About 200 people have been rescued in the town of Cockermouth after major floods struck across Cumbria.
RAF helicopters airlifted at least 50 to safety, with some forced to break through the roofs of their houses. Dozens more have been rescued by boat.RAF helicopters airlifted at least 50 to safety, with some forced to break through the roofs of their houses. Dozens more have been rescued by boat.
Water levels in some parts of the town centre were more than 2.5m (8.2ft).Water levels in some parts of the town centre were more than 2.5m (8.2ft).
Meanwhile, a search operation is under way for a police officer feared missing after flooding caused a local bridge to collapse in nearby Workington.Meanwhile, a search operation is under way for a police officer feared missing after flooding caused a local bridge to collapse in nearby Workington.
A Cumbria Police spokesman said: "Unfortunately we can confirm that one of our police officers is unaccounted for after a bridge collapsed at Northside in Workington.
"A search operation is under way and we have assigned a liaison officer to support the family. This is an extremely difficult time for the officer's colleagues."
In pictures: flooding in Cumbria Hundreds rescued from flood town
Police are now warning people to stay away from bridges after water pressure also destroyed the Southwaite footbridge in Cockermouth and the nearby Lorton Bridge.
Rail services are delayed on the West Coast Mainline after heavy rain caused a landslip between Carlisle and Penrith North Lakes stations.
By 0400 GMT police said floodwater levels in Cockermouth had stabilised, with rescuers able to reach people trapped in their homes by boat.By 0400 GMT police said floodwater levels in Cockermouth had stabilised, with rescuers able to reach people trapped in their homes by boat.
In pictures: flooding in Cumbria
Water levels in Keswick, which was also badly hit, were not expected to rise any further, police added.Water levels in Keswick, which was also badly hit, were not expected to rise any further, police added.
A police spokesman said: "The flood levels have stabilised enough to get boats in which is making the operation a lot easier."A police spokesman said: "The flood levels have stabilised enough to get boats in which is making the operation a lot easier."
He added: "There have been no serious injuries as a result of the floods, just a few people treated at the scene for minor bumps and scrapes."He added: "There have been no serious injuries as a result of the floods, just a few people treated at the scene for minor bumps and scrapes."
'Raging torrents'
RAF squadron leader Dave Webster said the air search and rescue operation was beginning to wind down, although a helicopter would remain on standby.RAF squadron leader Dave Webster said the air search and rescue operation was beginning to wind down, although a helicopter would remain on standby.
Earlier, up to 20 people were thought to be trapped in their homes in the Main Street area of the town, and Southwaite Bridge in Cockermouth and nearby Lorton Bridge were destroyed. Earlier, up to 20 people were thought to be trapped in their homes in the Main Street area of the town.
Lifeboat crews helped the RAF and mountain rescue teams to carry out evacuations in the town.Lifeboat crews helped the RAF and mountain rescue teams to carry out evacuations in the town.
'Raging torrents' Don Hindmoor, who was trapped inside a flat, said: "There's three people trapped in a one-bedroom upstairs flat. We've been stuck here all day.
Don Hindmoor, who was trapped inside a flat, said: "There's three people trapped in a one-bedroomed upstairs flat. We've been stuck here all day. "We're not in any danger, it's warm enough, we still have electricity and so we're OK where we are for the time being, but there's a lot of people stuck in upstairs flats in this area.
"We're not in any danger, it's warm enough, we still have electricity and so we're OK where we are for the time being but there's a lot of people stuck in upstairs flats in this area.
"It's not just water outside, it's raging torrents. It's like white water rapids."
The BBC's Alison Freeman saw how the floods in Keswick are being tackledThe BBC's Alison Freeman saw how the floods in Keswick are being tackled
"It's not just water outside, it's raging torrents. It's like white water rapids."
Andy Coon, who was led to safety from his home, said: "At the moment there's Sea King helicopters flying overhead, winching people to safety.Andy Coon, who was led to safety from his home, said: "At the moment there's Sea King helicopters flying overhead, winching people to safety.
"Half the town is in darkness, all you can see is helicopters flying ahead and loads and loads of police and mountain rescue.""Half the town is in darkness, all you can see is helicopters flying ahead and loads and loads of police and mountain rescue."
Cockermouth and Keswick were thought to be the worst affected areas, along with Kendal and Burneside, after 175mm (6.9in) of rain fell in 14 hours. More than 200 Cockermouth residents spent the night in emergency reception centres.
More than 200 Cockermouth residents were spending the night in emergency reception centres. As well as Cockermouth and Keswick, Kendal and Burneside were also badly hit, after 175mm (6.9in) of rain fell in 14 hours.
Residents were being warned not to drive or walk through flood water or attempt to unblock drains themselves. The Met Office said the village of Seathwaite in Cumbria recorded 6.8in (173mm) of rain in 24 hours.
They were also being urged to check on vulnerable friends and neighbours and ensure they were equipped with torches, mobile phones, waterproofs, water, radios with batteries, medication and other essential items. Another 5.9in (150mm) could fall on the Lake District's higher fells by 1200 GMT.
Roads closed Four severe flood warnings remain in place on rivers in Cockermouth, Keswick and Eamont Bridge.
In Keswick, almost 350 homes in Elliot Park were without power, and residents were advised to stay with friends or family as it could take up to three days for repairs to be completed. United Utilities said about 1,200 people were still without power across Cumbria, though electricity has been restored to 660 properties.
The Environment Agency said emergency services and local authority staff went house-to-house evacuating properties in Keswick, Kendal and Cockermouth, as well as ensuring people were taking precautions in Carlisle, Appleby, and Low Crosby. Residents are being warned not to drive or walk through flood water or attempt to unblock drains themselves.
The agency said an additional 100mm (3.9in) of rain was expected over Cumbria by early Friday.
Keswick has been one of the worst affected areasKeswick has been one of the worst affected areas
Several major roads were closed, including parts of the A591, the A6 and the A595. class="bodl" href="/2/hi/uk_news/8366360.stm">
Emergency reception centres were opened at Cockermouth School, Keswick Convention Centre, Southey Street Methodist Hall and Skiddaw Hotel. They are also being urged to check on vulnerable friends and neighbours and ensure they are equipped with torches, mobile phones, waterproofs, water, radios with batteries, medication and other essential items.
The Environment Agency said emergency services and local authority staff went house-to-house evacuating properties in Keswick, Kendal and Cockermouth, as well as ensuring people were taking precautions in Carlisle, Appleby, and Low Crosby.
Several major roads are closed, including parts of the A591, the A6 and the A595.
Sandbag requests
Emergency reception centres have been opened at Cockermouth School, Keswick Convention Centre, Southey Street Methodist Hall and Skiddaw Hotel.
Up to 40 residents in the Waterloo Street and Gote Street areas of Cockermouth were moved to one of the centres as water up to 3ft (1m) deep entered properties.Up to 40 residents in the Waterloo Street and Gote Street areas of Cockermouth were moved to one of the centres as water up to 3ft (1m) deep entered properties.
Scores of police officers and mountain rescue volunteers helped evacuate others in the town, where the River Derwent burst its banks.Scores of police officers and mountain rescue volunteers helped evacuate others in the town, where the River Derwent burst its banks.
Allerdale Borough Council said it had been inundated with requests for sandbags. Demand for sandbags was also high in Kendal, where river levels also rose drastically.Allerdale Borough Council said it had been inundated with requests for sandbags. Demand for sandbags was also high in Kendal, where river levels also rose drastically.
A spokesman for South Lakeland District Council said: "More than 1,000 sandbags have already been collected from our depot and we have ordered 4,000 more to meet the demand."A spokesman for South Lakeland District Council said: "More than 1,000 sandbags have already been collected from our depot and we have ordered 4,000 more to meet the demand."
Twelve flood warnings, the second most 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 flooded areas? 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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