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Hundreds flee flooding in Cumbria Bid to rescue 200 caught in flood
(about 2 hours later)
Hundreds of people have been forced to flee severe flooding in parts of Cumbria as the county is battered by high winds and torrential rain. A major rescue operation is under way to help scores of people trapped by severe flooding in part of Cumbria.
Keswick and Cockermouth are thought to be the worst affected areas, along with Kendal and Burneside, after 175mm (6.9in) of rain fell in 14 hours. Fire crews and the RAF are trying to rescue about 200 people via helicopter from the centre of Cockermouth.
Fire crews and the RAF were trying to rescue about 200 people via helicopter from the centre of Cockermouth. An RAF spokesman said that by 0130 the situation had deteriorated, with people being forced to break through rooftops to escape rising floodwaters.
Several rivers burst their banks and forecasters warned of worse to come. More than 20 people were rescued as five RAF Sea King helicopters attended "many tens" of incidents in the area.
Alongside the RAF, RNLI crews were drafted in to help reach those trapped by rising water. An RNLI official described the situation as "dire". Requests for helicopter assistance were coming in "thick and fast", the RAF said.
Six severe flood warnings are in force across the county. " We are concentrating on getting people away from imminent danger and delivering them to what is comparative safety," said Wing Commander Peter Lloyd, the RAF Search and Rescue Force's Chief of Staff.
Nine people were reported stranded in properties in Cockermouth, where the town's Main Street was under several feet of water. class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/england/cumbria/8368983.stm">In pictures: flooding in Cumbria
RAF support Lifeboat crews helped the RAF and mountain rescue teams to carry out evacuations in the town.
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.
"I mean, 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."
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."
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.
A Cumbria Police spokesman said: "The fire service and RAF are in the process of evacuating around 200 people, via helicopter, from the Main Street and The Square areas of Cockermouth, which have been cut off by floodwater.A Cumbria Police spokesman said: "The fire service and RAF are in the process of evacuating around 200 people, via helicopter, from the Main Street and The Square areas of Cockermouth, which have been cut off by floodwater.
"They are being moved to a reception centre at Cockermouth Secondary School. United Utilities have confirmed that around 1,145 homes are without electricity in the Cockermouth area as well as 349 in Keswick."They are being moved to a reception centre at Cockermouth Secondary School. United Utilities have confirmed that around 1,145 homes are without electricity in the Cockermouth area as well as 349 in Keswick.
The BBC's Alison Freeman saw how the floods in Keswick are being tackled
"Fire crews are now beginning to receive calls for service from the Broughton, Egremont and Frizington areas of West Cumbria. The RAF is supporting the rescue and recovery operation with three helicopters and two RAF mountain rescue teams.""Fire crews are now beginning to receive calls for service from the Broughton, Egremont and Frizington areas of West Cumbria. The RAF is supporting the rescue and recovery operation with three helicopters and two RAF mountain rescue teams."
In Keswick, almost 350 homes in Elliot Park are without power, and residents have been advised to stay with friends or family as it could take up to three days for repairs to be completed. In Keswick, almost 350 homes in Elliot Park were without power, and residents have been advised to stay with friends or family as it could take up to three days for repairs to be completed.
class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/england/cumbria/8368983.stm">In pictures: flooding in Cumbria Police said more than 100 people had sought shelter at rescue centres in both towns. More than 20 Cumbrian schools have also been closed.
Police said more than 100 people have sought shelter at rescue centres in both towns. More than 20 Cumbrian schools have also been closed.
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.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.
The agency said an additional 100mm (3.9in) of rain was expected over Cumbria by early Friday.The agency said an additional 100mm (3.9in) of rain was expected over Cumbria by early Friday.
Robert Runcie, the agency's director of flood and coastal risk, said: "After persistent heavy rain combined with saturated ground and full rivers across Cumbria, the decision was taken to evacuate residents in towns and villages across the Lake District, before the onset of serious flooding.
"Since early on Thursday we have been helping emergency services coordinate community groups that are going house-to-house ensuring people were taking precautions and evacuated where necessary."
Cumbria Police said it had received 90 flood-related calls for help, while Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service said it had responded to 150 incidents, including multiple rescues.Cumbria Police said it had received 90 flood-related calls for help, while Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service said it had responded to 150 incidents, including multiple rescues.
Several major roads were closed, including parts of the A591, the A6 and the A595.Several major roads were closed, including parts of the A591, the A6 and the A595.
Emergency reception centres were opened at Cockermouth School, Keswick Convention Centre, Southey Street Methodist Hall and Skiddaw Hotel.Emergency reception centres were opened at Cockermouth School, Keswick Convention Centre, Southey Street Methodist Hall and Skiddaw Hotel.
The BBC's Alison Freeman saw how the floods in Keswick are being tackled Keswick has been one of the worst affected areas
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.
Keswick Convention Centre manager Simon Overend said: "We are taking people from the Lakehead Court residential care home.Keswick Convention Centre manager Simon Overend said: "We are taking people from the Lakehead Court residential care home.
"We have capacity of 41 beds but we're getting in sleeping bags to accommodate more if needed.""We have capacity of 41 beds but we're getting in sleeping bags to accommodate more if needed."
Around half a dozen elderly householders were being accommodated at Cockermouth School, a school spokeswoman said.Around half a dozen elderly householders were being accommodated at Cockermouth School, a school spokeswoman said.
A number of elderly residents from Victoria Court in Cockermouth were also evacuated to the town's Sheep and Wool Centre.A number of elderly residents from Victoria Court in Cockermouth were also evacuated to the town's Sheep and Wool Centre.
Allerdale Borough Council said it had been inundated with requests for sandbags. 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.
The council's interim deputy chief executive David Martin said: "Staff are working hard to clear a backlog of requests.
"But residents are being warned it may take some time to get sandbags out to properties due to the sheer volume of inquiries."
Demand for sandbags was also high in Kendal, where river levels also rose drastically.
Keswick has been one of the worst affected areas
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."
The mayor of Keswick, Andrew Lysser, said homes in the lower lying western part of the town had been evacuated after the River Greta burst its banks.
Fire crews were called in from surrounding towns to help paramedics, mountain rescue teams and police evacuate at-risk homes.
Mr Lysser said: "It is all hands to the pump, really. The emergency services are well co-ordinated and have been fantastic."
Kevin Curran, general manager of the Skiddaw Hotel in Keswick, said around 30 people had been given shelter there.
He said: "People are upset, especially some of the elderly ones - it is not the first time for a lot of them.
"We are going to feed them and allocate them rooms and get them settled down for the night."
Twelve flood warnings, the second most serious of the Environment Agency's alerts, have also been placed throughout the county.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 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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