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Flood-hit areas braced for rain Flood-hit areas braced for rain
(about 2 hours later)
Flood-stricken parts of the UK are bracing themselves for more rain after an "unprecedented" deluge swamped homes and brought down bridges.Flood-stricken parts of the UK are bracing themselves for more rain after an "unprecedented" deluge swamped homes and brought down bridges.
Forecasters predict Saturday will bring 15mm (0.5in) to 40mm (1.6in) of rain to Cumbria, where police said 75 people spent the night in emergency shelters.Forecasters predict Saturday will bring 15mm (0.5in) to 40mm (1.6in) of rain to Cumbria, where police said 75 people spent the night in emergency shelters.
There are 20 flood warnings in force across Scotland, northern England, the Midlands and Wales. Four are "severe". There are 19 flood warnings in force across Scotland, northern England, the Midlands and Wales. Four are "severe".
They all affect Cumbria, where Pc Bill Barker died after a bridge collapsed. They are in Cumbria, where Pc Bill Barker died after a bridge collapsed.
Pc Barker, 44, was directing motorists off the bridge in Workington when a swollen river caused it to cave in.Pc Barker, 44, was directing motorists off the bridge in Workington when a swollen river caused it to cave in.

BBC weather36-hour forecast

Forecast published at 1200 BST, 20 November 2009Latest forecast at BBC weather

BBC weather36-hour forecast

Forecast published at 1200 BST, 20 November 2009Latest forecast at BBC weather
The body of the father-of-four, who would have celebrated his 45th birthday on Saturday, was found on a beach almost 10 miles up the coast at Allonby.The body of the father-of-four, who would have celebrated his 45th birthday on Saturday, was found on a beach almost 10 miles up the coast at Allonby.
His wife Hazel said her husband was "my best friend, my forever friend and an amazing dad", while Prime Minister Gordon Brown paid tribute to his "heroic" qualities.His wife Hazel said her husband was "my best friend, my forever friend and an amazing dad", while Prime Minister Gordon Brown paid tribute to his "heroic" qualities.
Cumbria Constabulary said more than 10,000 people had signed up to a tribute on its Facebook page.
In nearby Cockermouth, where water reached 2.5m (8ft 2in), boats and RAF helicopters rescued more than 200 people after rainfall expected for an entire November fell in one day across west Cumbria.In nearby Cockermouth, where water reached 2.5m (8ft 2in), boats and RAF helicopters rescued more than 200 people after rainfall expected for an entire November fell in one day across west Cumbria.
Flood levels were dropping by around two inches an hour as officers on foot patrol conducted searches through the night for any residents still trapped in their homes.Flood levels were dropping by around two inches an hour as officers on foot patrol conducted searches through the night for any residents still trapped in their homes.
Gale-force winds
Forecasters say recovery efforts may be hampered by rain through Saturday but that it is unlikely to cause major problems or get near the record 314.4mm (12.3in) for a 24-hour period recorded at Seathwaite Farm.Forecasters say recovery efforts may be hampered by rain through Saturday but that it is unlikely to cause major problems or get near the record 314.4mm (12.3in) for a 24-hour period recorded at Seathwaite Farm.
The BBC's Peter Gibbs said: "We've got more rain on the way and some gale-force winds - just normal amounts now, not the extreme figures we saw.The BBC's Peter Gibbs said: "We've got more rain on the way and some gale-force winds - just normal amounts now, not the extreme figures we saw.
"It looks like the south-east of the Lakes and the Pennines that gets the heaviest downpours, with southern Scotland also seeing some heavy rain.""It looks like the south-east of the Lakes and the Pennines that gets the heaviest downpours, with southern Scotland also seeing some heavy rain."
The southern Highlands, where river levels remained high, could also get some heavy downpours, he added.The southern Highlands, where river levels remained high, could also get some heavy downpours, he added.
Tributes paid to flood death Pc Your stories: Eyewitness accounts Floods: Your picturesTributes paid to flood death Pc Your stories: Eyewitness accounts Floods: Your pictures
In Cumbria, a police spokesman said the rescue efforts had been scaled down. In Cockermouth, Chief Supt Steve Johnson said the emergency services would carry out a search of 800 premises on Saturday to confirm they are empty or check on the welfare of those who had stayed in their homes.
"Nobody has been reported missing in the area at this time. It is now a police-led operation on foot. "We have a number of people in reception centres," he said. "A number of people have left those centres and gone elsewhere to friends and family."
"Less than 100 people remain in reception centres, with the rest having made alternative arrangements to stay with family and friends. He warned people not to use bridges in the west of the county until they are deemed safe by engineers, and advised drivers to check roads are open in the area before setting off.
"Emergency services are again highlighting the need to exercise caution around bridges in areas affected by flooding. Many bridges are under extreme pressure due to fast flowing flood waters and present a danger to members of the public." 'Extreme danger'
It was estimated that 1,100 homes across Cumbria were affected by flooding, with several hundred people displaced and more than 1,000 households left without power.It was estimated that 1,100 homes across Cumbria were affected by flooding, with several hundred people displaced and more than 1,000 households left without power.
Four bridges collapsed in the county and schools were used as makeshift community centres after the deluge struck.Four bridges collapsed in the county and schools were used as makeshift community centres after the deluge struck.
Three RAF search and rescue helicopters and two RAF mountain rescue teams had been drafted in to help recovery efforts, with more than 50 people rescued by helicopter.Three RAF search and rescue helicopters and two RAF mountain rescue teams had been drafted in to help recovery efforts, with more than 50 people rescued by helicopter.
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 Radio 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 Radio BBC Cumbria The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites
About 150 more had been helped to safety by the RNLI and other emergency crews.About 150 more had been helped to safety by the RNLI and other emergency crews.
The Environment Agency said its Floodline service received more than 12,000 calls in 48 hours after the "unprecedented" rainfall.The Environment Agency said its Floodline service received more than 12,000 calls in 48 hours after the "unprecedented" rainfall.
It says the severe flood warnings still in place in Cumbria describe conditions posing a threat of "extreme danger to life and property".It says the severe flood warnings still in place in Cumbria describe conditions posing a threat of "extreme danger to life and property".
As well as the other 15 standard flood warnings, it has issued 32 less serious flood watches across England and Wales. As well as the other 14 standard flood warnings, it has issued 31 less serious flood watches across England and Wales.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) has five flood warnings and 12 flood watches in force. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) has five flood warnings and 13 flood watches in force.
Drivers have been warned of "treacherous" conditions across much of Dumfries and Galloway where fire crews have been called to rescue a number of stranded motorists.Drivers have been warned of "treacherous" conditions across much of Dumfries and Galloway where fire crews have been called to rescue a number of stranded motorists.
Up to 40 businesses were flooded in Dumfries and about a dozen roads in the surrounding area remain closed.Up to 40 businesses were flooded in Dumfries and about a dozen roads in the surrounding area remain closed.
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 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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