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Bid to rescue 200 caught in flood | Bid to rescue 200 caught in flood |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A major rescue operation was mounted overnight to help scores of people trapped by severe flooding in Cumbria. | |
Fire crews and the RAF spent the early hours trying to rescue about 200 people from the centre of Cockermouth. | |
More than 20 people were airlifted to safety as RAF Sea King helicopters attended "many" incidents in the area. | |
At the height of the emergency, water levels reached almost 8ft (2.5m) on the worst affected streets, police said. | |
By 0400 GMT police said floodwater levels had stabilised, with rescuers able to reach people trapped in their homes by boat. Water levels in Keswick, which was also badly hit, were not expected to rise any further, police added. | |
A police spokesman said: "There are fewer than 10 people left to be rescued in Cockermouth. The flood levels have stabilised enough to get boats in which is making the operation a lot easier." | |
In pictures: flooding in Cumbria | In pictures: flooding in Cumbria |
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." | |
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. | |
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. |
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. | 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." | "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." |
Rescue priority | Rescue priority |
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." | 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. | 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. |
Chief Superintendent Don Spiller, of Cumbria Police, said the priority was to rescue people. | Chief Superintendent Don Spiller, of Cumbria Police, said the priority was to rescue people. |
He said: "We believe there are a small number and we are working with the helicopters and the coastguard and the fire and rescue service to try and reach those people. And hopefully they will be taken to the reception centres shortly." | He said: "We believe there are a small number and we are working with the helicopters and the coastguard and the fire and rescue service to try and reach those people. And hopefully they will be taken to the reception centres shortly." |
The BBC's Alison Freeman saw how the floods in Keswick are being tackled | The BBC's Alison Freeman saw how the floods in Keswick are being tackled |
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. | 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. |
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 had 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. |
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. |
Keswick has been one of the worst affected areas | 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. 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. | 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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