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| Body found in flood is missing Pc | Body found in flood is missing Pc |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| The body of a man found after a bridge collapsed over a flooded river is Pc Bill Barker, police have confirmed. | The body of a man found after a bridge collapsed over a flooded river is Pc Bill Barker, police have confirmed. |
| Pc Barker, 44, was directing motorists off the bridge in Workington "saving lives" when it caved in as Cumbria was hit by record rainfall, police said. | Pc Barker, 44, was directing motorists off the bridge in Workington "saving lives" when it caved in as Cumbria was hit by record rainfall, police said. |
| Prime Minister Gordon Brown described him as a "very heroic, very brave man". | |
| In Cockermouth, where water levels reached 2.5m (8ft 2in), more than 200 people were rescued by emergency services - 50 by RAF helicopters. | In Cockermouth, where water levels reached 2.5m (8ft 2in), more than 200 people were rescued by emergency services - 50 by RAF helicopters. |
| The Environment Agency said the scale of the flooding was unprecedented. | The Environment Agency said the scale of the flooding was unprecedented. |
| Assistant Chief Constable Jerry Graham said both the flooding and the incident involving Pc Barker had left him "devastated". | Assistant Chief Constable Jerry Graham said both the flooding and the incident involving Pc Barker had left him "devastated". |
| He said the constable was a roads policing officer in Workington. | He said the constable was a roads policing officer in Workington. |
| 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 What to do if floods hit Key local info from BBC Cumbria 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 What to do if floods hit Key local info from BBC Cumbria Environment Agency (England and Wales) Scottish Environment Protection Agency BBC Cumbria The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites |
| RNLI lifeboat operations manager Captain Brian Ashbridge said there was a "massive current" travelling down the Derwent, making conditions for the searchers "very challenging". | 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. | 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. |
| Pc Bill Barker is a father of four with 25 years service | Pc Bill Barker is a father of four with 25 years service |
| Environment Agency chairman Chris Smith described the rainfall as "unprecedented". | Environment Agency chairman Chris Smith described the rainfall as "unprecedented". |
| The agency said the rainfall at Seawaite Farm was a record for a 24-hour period in England, while the Met Office said the amount of rain expected in the west Cumbria area during the entire month of November had fallen in 24 hours. | The agency said the rainfall at Seawaite Farm was a record for a 24-hour period in England, while the Met Office said the amount of rain expected in the west Cumbria area during the entire month of November had fallen in 24 hours. |
| 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. |
| The prime minister said: "Everybody's thoughts and prayers are with those whose people who have suffered the impact of the most terrible floods in Cumbria and in other parts of England, Scotland and Wales. | |
| "All the emergency services are doing everything they can to help people who are in difficulty as a result of the floods. | "All the emergency services are doing everything they can to help people who are in difficulty as a result of the floods. |
| "It has been the worst rainfall according to records that we've seen in Britain at any time since records began and these last 36 hours have been particularly difficult for the people of Cockermouth and other people in the Cumbria area." | "It has been the worst rainfall according to records that we've seen in Britain at any time since records began and these last 36 hours have been particularly difficult for the people of Cockermouth and other people in the Cumbria area." |
| 'Staggering' | |
| Downing Street said Environment Secretary Hilary Benn was in Cockermouth to meet the emergency services and assess what assistance was needed. | 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." | 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." |
| This is an extremely serious incident - our thoughts are with those people whose homes have been flooded Lord Smith, Environment Agency Reports from the scene Your stories: Eyewitness accounts Floods: Your pictures | This is an extremely serious incident - our thoughts are with those people whose homes have been flooded Lord Smith, Environment Agency Reports from the scene Your stories: Eyewitness accounts Floods: Your pictures |
| 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. | 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 - 23 flood warnings in the Midlands, Wales and north-east and north-west England and 51 less serious flood watches. | The Environment Agency has in place four severe flood warnings - all in Cumbria - 23 flood warnings in the Midlands, Wales and north-east and north-west England and 51 less serious flood watches. |
| 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. |
| 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. In Pictures: Cumbria floods Wettest day sparks Scottish floods Wales warning over rising rivers | 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. In Pictures: Cumbria floods Wettest day sparks Scottish floods Wales warning over rising rivers |
| 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. |
| 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 six severe flood warnings in place in Scotland, covering three sections of the River Tweed, the River Earn, Yarrow Water and the River Isla in Perthshire. | Sepa has six severe flood warnings in place in Scotland, covering three sections of the River Tweed, the River Earn, Yarrow Water and the River Isla in Perthshire. |
| A landslip between Carlisle and Penrith caused the West Coast Main Line from London to Glasgow to close - but it has since reopened. | |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Watch video of flooded areas on interactive map | Watch video of flooded areas on interactive map |
| 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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