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| Policeman missing in floods chaos | Policeman missing in floods chaos |
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| A search is under way for a missing policeman after a bridge collapsed in Cumbria amid devastating floods. | A search is under way for a missing policeman after a bridge collapsed in Cumbria amid devastating floods. |
| The officer was unaccounted for after Workington's Northside bridge caved in, which also cut off local gas supplies. | The officer was unaccounted for after Workington's Northside bridge caved in, which also cut off local gas supplies. |
| In Cockermouth, more than 200 people were rescued by emergency services - 50 by RAF helicopters and others by boat. | In Cockermouth, more than 200 people were rescued by emergency services - 50 by RAF helicopters and others by boat. |
| The Environment Agency said the scale of the flooding was unprecedented while Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: "Our thoughts are with all those impacted." | The Environment Agency said the scale of the flooding was unprecedented while Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: "Our thoughts are with all those impacted." |
| ON THE SCENE - 0500 GMT The BBC's Laura Bicker, in Cockermouth Cockermouth High Street looks more like a rapidly flowing river at the moment. Shops that had just done up their fronts for Christmas are now only accessible by boat. The RNLI, the fire service, mountain rescue and the police are all here working together to try to evacuate people from their houses. Overhead, there's a helicopter from the RAF taking people off the roofs of their houses and from windows. It looks very much like a disaster zone and it's feared that the river levels are still due to rise further. Flood concerns in Scotland Wales warning over rising rivers class="" href="/local/cumbria/hi/people_and_places/nature/newsid_8369000/8369753.stm">Get the latest from BBC Cumbria class="" href="/2/hi/in_pictures/8369966.stm">In Pictures: Cumbria floods | |
| Police in Cumbria have received a high volume of calls about missing people and more than 1,200 people were left without electricity overnight. | Police in Cumbria have received a high volume of calls about missing people and more than 1,200 people were left without electricity overnight. |
| In Cockermouth centre, water levels had reached more than 2.5m (8.2ft) and the Army was also drafted in to help with the rescue operation. | In Cockermouth centre, water levels had reached more than 2.5m (8.2ft) and the Army was also drafted in to help with the rescue operation. |
| Andy Clift, the RNLI's divisional inspector for the north, said the service had rescued dozens of people in dangerous conditions. | Andy Clift, the RNLI's divisional inspector for the north, said the service had rescued dozens of people in dangerous conditions. |
| He said: "We've experienced very strong river flows, over 20 knots, which make operating boats in those conditions quite hazardous. | He said: "We've experienced very strong river flows, over 20 knots, which make operating boats in those conditions quite hazardous. |
| "Certainly earlier on, when the flood water was at its peak, we were getting a lot of debris, including cars, being swept down the river and that also was very hazardous in the darkness, for our crews." | "Certainly earlier on, when the flood water was at its peak, we were getting a lot of debris, including cars, being swept down the river and that also was very hazardous in the darkness, for our crews." |
| In Workington, Northside Bridge - the main bridge on the A597 into the town - collapsed, as did Lorton Bridge near Cockermouth and Southwaite footbridge in the town. | In Workington, Northside Bridge - the main bridge on the A597 into the town - collapsed, as did Lorton Bridge near Cockermouth and Southwaite footbridge in the town. |
| Mr Brown said: "Our thanks go out to the emergency services who continue in their extraordinary efforts to help the people affected." | Mr Brown said: "Our thanks go out to the emergency services who continue in their extraordinary efforts to help the people affected." |
| Environment Secretary Hilary Benn, who is travelling to the town, said the situation was "very serious". | Environment Secretary Hilary Benn, who is travelling to the town, said the situation was "very serious". |
| He told the BBC: "We have seen extraordinary amounts of rainfall. The rain gauge at Seathwaite registered 314mm [12.4in] in 24 hours which could make it the wettest day ever recorded, and we've seen the impact of that with the terrible flooding which has affected people." | He told the BBC: "We have seen extraordinary amounts of rainfall. The rain gauge at Seathwaite registered 314mm [12.4in] in 24 hours which could make it the wettest day ever recorded, and we've seen the impact of that with the terrible flooding which has affected people." |
| 'Atrocious conditions' | 'Atrocious conditions' |
| Flooding was also reported in Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland, where 30 roads closed in "treacherous" conditions. | Flooding was also reported in Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland, where 30 roads closed in "treacherous" conditions. |
| In mid- and north Wales, roads were closed and train services disrupted, and a brief power cut in Anglesey affected 2,000 homes. | In mid- and north Wales, roads were closed and train services disrupted, and a brief power cut in Anglesey affected 2,000 homes. |
| The Environment Agency has in place four severe flood warnings - all in Cumbria - 28 flood warnings in the Midlands, Wales and north-east and north-west England and 60 less serious flood watches. | The Environment Agency has in place four severe flood warnings - all in Cumbria - 28 flood warnings in the Midlands, Wales and north-east and north-west England and 60 less serious flood watches. |
| FLOOD ADVICE Do not drive unless essentialDo not walk through floodwatersDo not try and unblock drains yourselfLook out for vulnerable friends and neighboursHave torches, waterproofs, water, radios, medication and other essential items at hand in case you cannot get home or need to be evacuated.Take essential items upstairs or to a high point in your propertyListen to the emergency services and evacuate when told toCumbria Police casualty bureau: 0800 0560944 or 0207 1580010Floodline number 0845 988 1188 Environment Agency (England and Wales) Scottish Environment Protection Agency BBC Cumbria The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites | FLOOD ADVICE Do not drive unless essentialDo not walk through floodwatersDo not try and unblock drains yourselfLook out for vulnerable friends and neighboursHave torches, waterproofs, water, radios, medication and other essential items at hand in case you cannot get home or need to be evacuated.Take essential items upstairs or to a high point in your propertyListen to the emergency services and evacuate when told toCumbria Police casualty bureau: 0800 0560944 or 0207 1580010Floodline number 0845 988 1188 Environment Agency (England and Wales) Scottish Environment Protection Agency BBC Cumbria The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites |
| The Scottish Environment Protection Agency reported nine severe flood warnings, 10 flood warnings and 15 flood watches in force. | The Scottish Environment Protection Agency reported nine severe flood warnings, 10 flood warnings and 15 flood watches in force. |
| Five RAF Sea King helicopters were sent to the Cockermouth area, along with RNLI lifeboats and coastguard teams, to help with the rescue effort. | Five RAF Sea King helicopters were sent to the Cockermouth area, along with RNLI lifeboats and coastguard teams, to help with the rescue effort. |
| The RAF said conditions were "atrocious", with water levels in some parts of the town reaching about 8ft (almost 2.5m). | The RAF said conditions were "atrocious", with water levels in some parts of the town reaching about 8ft (almost 2.5m). |
| "The situation has continued to deteriorate over the past two hours with people being forced to break through the rooftops of houses as they frantically seek escape from rising floodwaters," it said in a statement. | "The situation has continued to deteriorate over the past two hours with people being forced to break through the rooftops of houses as they frantically seek escape from rising floodwaters," it said in a statement. |
| Wing Commander Peter Lloyd said: "We are concentrating on getting people away from imminent danger and delivering them to what is comparative safety." | Wing Commander Peter Lloyd said: "We are concentrating on getting people away from imminent danger and delivering them to what is comparative safety." |
| 'Desperate' | 'Desperate' |
| RAF Squadron Leader Dave Webster later said more than 50 people had been rescued by helicopter, while about 150 more had been helped to safety by the RNLI and other emergency crews. | RAF Squadron Leader Dave Webster later said more than 50 people had been rescued by helicopter, while about 150 more had been helped to safety by the RNLI and other emergency crews. |
| "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," he added. |
| This is a very, very serious situation Robert Runcie, Environment Agency Floods: Your pictures | This is a very, very serious situation Robert Runcie, Environment Agency Floods: Your pictures |
| Earlier, Ch Supt Steve Johnson said flood defences installed in Carlisle following the 2005 floods appeared to have worked, but added: "We are not taking anything for granted." | Earlier, Ch Supt Steve Johnson said flood defences installed in Carlisle following the 2005 floods appeared to have worked, but added: "We are not taking anything for granted." |
| John Carlin, owner of the Allerdale Court Hotel, said the amount of rainfall was "staggering". | John Carlin, owner of the Allerdale Court Hotel, said the amount of rainfall was "staggering". |
| "I have lived here for 15 years and have never seen anything like it," he said. | "I have lived here for 15 years and have never seen anything like it," he said. |
| "It's desperate. The town centre is completely flooded, the only people out there at the moment are the emergency services. The water is up to the waists of the firefighters." | "It's desperate. The town centre is completely flooded, the only people out there at the moment are the emergency services. The water is up to the waists of the firefighters." |
| About 1,200 homes in the Cockermouth area and 349 around Keswick lost power on Thursday night, although United Utilities said later that services had been restored to 660 properties. | About 1,200 homes in the Cockermouth area and 349 around Keswick lost power on Thursday night, although United Utilities said later that services had been restored to 660 properties. |
| Some 20 schools in the area were earlier forced to close and several were turned into emergency shelters for more than 200 Cockermouth evacuees. | Some 20 schools in the area were earlier forced to close and several were turned into emergency shelters for more than 200 Cockermouth evacuees. |
| Robert Runcie, the Environment Agency's director of flood and coastal risk management, said at least 500 homes could be flooded in and around Cockermouth. | Robert Runcie, the Environment Agency's director of flood and coastal risk management, said at least 500 homes could be flooded in and around Cockermouth. |
| There are currently four severe flood warnings in Cumbria, in Cockermouth, Keswick, Southwaite Bridge and Eamont Bridge. | There are currently four severe flood warnings in Cumbria, in Cockermouth, Keswick, Southwaite Bridge and Eamont Bridge. |
| How much rain has fallen in the Lake District? | How much rain has fallen in the Lake District? |
| The Environment Agency describes a severe flood warning as a threat of "extreme danger to life and property". | The Environment Agency describes a severe flood warning as a threat of "extreme danger to life and property". |
| There are nine severe flood warnings in place in Scotland, covering three sections of the River Tweed, two sections of the River Earn, Yarrow Water, Teviot Water, the River Isla in Perthshire and the River Teith at Callander. | There are nine severe flood warnings in place in Scotland, covering three sections of the River Tweed, two sections of the River Earn, Yarrow Water, Teviot Water, the River Isla in Perthshire and the River Teith at Callander. |
| A landslip between Carlisle and Penrith caused the West Coast Main Line from London to Glasgow to close - but it has since re-opened. | A landslip between Carlisle and Penrith caused the West Coast Main Line from London to Glasgow to close - but it has since re-opened. |
| Drivers are being warned of "treacherous" conditions in much of Dumfries and Galloway and fire crews have been called to rescue a number of stranded motorists. | Drivers are being warned of "treacherous" conditions in much of Dumfries and Galloway and fire crews have been called to rescue a number of stranded motorists. |
| High winds | High winds |
| In mid and north Wales, there have also been road closures, disruption to train services and a brief power cut affecting 2,000 homes in Anglesey. | In mid and north Wales, there have also been road closures, disruption to train services and a brief power cut affecting 2,000 homes in Anglesey. |
| The AA said it was "flat out" rescuing stricken cars and advised against all but essential travel. | The AA said it was "flat out" rescuing stricken cars and advised against all but essential travel. |
| Richard Westmoreland, the motoring organisation's water rescue technician, said: "Conditions in Cumbria have been horrendous - the worst I've seen." | Richard Westmoreland, the motoring organisation's water rescue technician, said: "Conditions in Cumbria have been horrendous - the worst I've seen." |
| During a 24-hour period Shap and Keswick in Cumbria recorded rainfall of 71.6mm (2.8in) and 64.2mm (2.5in) respectively. | During a 24-hour period Shap and Keswick in Cumbria recorded rainfall of 71.6mm (2.8in) and 64.2mm (2.5in) respectively. |
| The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings, with up to 250mm (9.8in) of rain possible on higher ground. | The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings, with up to 250mm (9.8in) of rain possible on higher ground. |
| People caught up in floods are being warned not to walk through flood waters or try to unblock drains. Police are also advising against fell-walking in Cumbria. | People caught up in floods are being warned not to walk through flood waters or try to unblock drains. Police are also advising against fell-walking in Cumbria. |
| Are you in one of the areas on flood alert? What are conditions like where you are? Send us your comments and pictures. | Are you in one of the areas on flood alert? What are conditions like where you are? 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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