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Flood waters force 500 from homes Flood waters force 500 from homes
(about 2 hours later)
More than 500 people across Cumbria have spent the night in emergency shelters or with relatives and friends after "unprecedented" floods. More than 500 people in Cumbria spent the night with relatives and friends or in emergency shelters after floods swept across the county.
Cockermouth and Keswick were worst affected, but communities across the county felt the impact of the deluge. Cockermouth and Keswick were worst affected, but communities across Cumbria felt the impact of the deluge.
In Workington, Pc Bill Barker, 44, died when he was swept away as a bridge collapsed as he helped motorists. More rain is forecast later, but the Environment Agency said the floods should continue to recede.
The floodwaters receded overnight, but up to 20mm of rain is expected to fall across Cumbria from lunchtime. Tributes have been posted on a police Facebook page to Pc Bill Barker, who was swept to his death in Workington.
The downpour over Cumbria was the highest level of rainfall measured in England since records began in 1727, according to forecasters MeteoGroup. The Environment Agency said it hoped Saturday afternoon's rain would pass quickly.
Checks on bridges
A spokesman said: "Whilst it might make life a bit unpleasant, I don't think it will add to the flooding problems.
"We are looking forward to being able to perhaps begin to get people back to look at their houses as the clean-up operation begins and the flood levels I hope will begin to recede."
Cumbria police said emergency services and local authorities had been planning operations for the rest of the weekend.
Checks would be made on bridges and flooded properties.
Pc Bill Barker was swept off a bridge in Workington Tributes to flood death Pc Floods body is missing officer In pictures: flooding rescuesPc Bill Barker was swept off a bridge in Workington Tributes to flood death Pc Floods body is missing officer In pictures: flooding rescues
The Environment Agency's gauging station at Seathwaite Farm recorded 314mm in 24 hours, exceeding the 279mm in Martinstown, Dorset, in July 1955. About 1,100 properties have been inundated.
About 1,100 properties have been flooded across the county.
The RAF, RNLI, mountain rescue teams and emergency services, helped move about 300 people from Cockermouth where parts of the town were more than 2.5m (8ft 2in) under water.The RAF, RNLI, mountain rescue teams and emergency services, helped move about 300 people from Cockermouth where parts of the town were more than 2.5m (8ft 2in) under water.
Cockermouth School and the Sheep and Wool Centre in the town were accommodating about 75 people.Cockermouth School and the Sheep and Wool Centre in the town were accommodating about 75 people.
More than 50 people rescued in Keswick have been taken to the town's convention centre, Skiddaw Hotel and St Joseph's school.More than 50 people rescued in Keswick have been taken to the town's convention centre, Skiddaw Hotel and St Joseph's school.
Police have warned people to stay away from bridges after water pressure also destroyed the Southwaite footbridge in Cockermouth and the nearby Lorton Bridge. Police have warned people to stay away from bridges, after water pressure also destroyed the Southwaite footbridge in Cockermouth and the nearby Lorton Bridge.
Brown tributeBrown tribute
Residents, especially children, are being urged to stay out of the floodwater, which contains sewage.Residents, especially children, are being urged to stay out of the floodwater, which contains sewage.
Cumbria Police said emergency services had been evacuating people from their homes on request, but would only be responding to urgent calls during the night. The prime minster is among those who have paid tribute to Pc Barker, who fell into the River Derwent when Workington's A597 bridge collapsed.
The Prime Minster is among those who have paid tribute to Pc Barker, who fell into the River Derwent when Workington's A597 bridge collapsed.
The father-of-four had been an officer with the force for 25 years and would have celebrated his 45th birthday on Saturday.The father-of-four had been an officer with the force for 25 years and would have celebrated his 45th birthday on Saturday.
Parts of Cockermouth were more than 2m under waterParts of Cockermouth were more than 2m under water
Gordon Brown said: "Police Constable Bill Barker died trying to save the lives of others. Gordon Brown said: "Pc Bill Barker died trying to save the lives of others.
"He was a very heroic, very brave man who will be sorely missed by everybody who was close to him."He was a very heroic, very brave man who will be sorely missed by everybody who was close to him.
"I think we owe him a tremendous debt of gratitude for the service he has shown.""I think we owe him a tremendous debt of gratitude for the service he has shown."
More than 10,000 people have signed up to a tribute page on Cumbria Police's Facebook site, pledging their support to the officers and staff risking their lives to help those affected by the floods . Many people have signed up to a tribute page on Cumbria Police's Facebook site, pledging their support to the officers and staff risking their lives to help those affected by the floods.
The Queen has praised emergency workers who are still providing support for residents in flooded areas.The Queen has praised emergency workers who are still providing support for residents in flooded areas.
She said: "My thoughts and prayers are with all those who have been affected and whose homes and livelihoods have been damaged."She said: "My thoughts and prayers are with all those who have been affected and whose homes and livelihoods have been damaged."
Towns and villages in the south of Cumbria, including Ulverston and Kendal, also experienced flooding.Towns and villages in the south of Cumbria, including Ulverston and Kendal, also experienced flooding.
The BBC Weather presenter Rob McElwee said rain was expected to fall on Cumbria throughout Saturday afternoon. Advertisement
He said it would not be particularly bad in normal circumstances, but it would be falling on ground that is already saturated. Brendan Pickering describes the moment the bridge collapsed