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| Policeman missing in floods chaos | Policeman missing in floods chaos |
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| The 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 In Pictures: Cumbria floods | 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 In Pictures: Cumbria floods |
| The bad weather hampered the search for the missing officer, forcing a lifeboat to stop after three hours. | |
| RNLI lifeboat operations manager Captain Brian Ashbridge said there was a "massive current" travelling down the Derwent, making conditions for the searchers "very challenging". | |
| 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 (8ft 2in) and the Armed forces were also drafted in to help with the rescue operation. | |
| This included three RAF search and rescue helicopters from bases at Valley, Leconfield and Boulmer and two RAF mountain rescue teams. | This included three RAF search and rescue helicopters from bases at Valley, Leconfield and Boulmer and two RAF mountain rescue teams. |
| Five RAF Sea King helicopters were sent to the Cockermouth area, along with RNLI lifeboats and coastguard teams. | Five RAF Sea King helicopters were sent to the Cockermouth area, along with RNLI lifeboats and coastguard teams. |
| 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." |
| The Environment Agency said rainfall in Cumbria reached record levels with Seawaite Farm recording 314.4mm (12.3 inches) in 24 hours. | The Environment Agency said rainfall in Cumbria reached record levels with Seawaite Farm recording 314.4mm (12.3 inches) in 24 hours. |
| This is an extremely serious incident - our thoughts are with those people whose homes have been flooded Lord Smith, Environment Agency Floods: Your pictures Key local info from BBC Cumbria | This is an extremely serious incident - our thoughts are with those people whose homes have been flooded Lord Smith, Environment Agency Floods: Your pictures Key local info from BBC Cumbria |
| Its Floodline service received more than 12,000 calls in 48 hours. | Its Floodline service received more than 12,000 calls in 48 hours. |
| 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." |
| Downing Street said Environment Secretary Hilary Benn was in Cockermouth to meet the emergency services and assess what assistance was needed. | |
| Mr Benn earlier told the BBC: "We have seen extraordinary amounts of rainfall. 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 north and mid-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 - 27 flood warnings in the Midlands, Wales and north-east and north-west England and 54 less serious flood watches. | The Environment Agency has in place four severe flood warnings - all in Cumbria - 27 flood warnings in the Midlands, Wales and north-east and north-west England and 54 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 (Sepa) reported six severe flood warnings, 10 flood warnings and 15 flood watches in force. | The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) reported six severe flood warnings, 10 flood warnings and 15 flood watches in force. |
| RAF Squadron Leader Dave Webster 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 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. |
| 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. |
| Environment Agency chairman Lord Smith said: "This is an extremely serious incident - our thoughts are with those people whose homes have been flooded." | Environment Agency chairman Lord Smith said: "This is an extremely serious incident - our thoughts are with those people whose homes have been flooded." |
| 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". |
| Sepa has 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. | Sepa has 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. |
| The flooding in Cumbria is the latest in a series of severe flooding events to hit the UK in recent years. | The flooding in Cumbria is the latest in a series of severe flooding events to hit the UK in recent years. |
| More than 1,000 houses and businesses in Carlisle, Cumbria, were overwhelmed by water in January 2005, when the city suffered its worst floods since the 1820s. | More than 1,000 houses and businesses in Carlisle, Cumbria, were overwhelmed by water in January 2005, when the city suffered its worst floods since the 1820s. |
| In June and July, 2007, torrential rain lashed the country, flooding Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Wales, the Midlands and the West Country. Among the worst-hit towns were Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire and Upton upon Severn in Worcestershire. | In June and July, 2007, torrential rain lashed the country, flooding Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Wales, the Midlands and the West Country. Among the worst-hit towns were Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire and Upton upon Severn in Worcestershire. |
| 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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