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Urgent tests on flood-hit bridges Urgent tests on flood-hit bridges
(20 minutes later)
A safety review of all 1,800 bridges in Cumbria is being carried out after severe flooding caused extensive damage to homes and roads in the county.A safety review of all 1,800 bridges in Cumbria is being carried out after severe flooding caused extensive damage to homes and roads in the county.
Five bridges have already collapsed and officials believe Calva Bridge in Workington may be about to fall.Five bridges have already collapsed and officials believe Calva Bridge in Workington may be about to fall.
The bridges are being examined by a team of experts, including specialists from the Royal Engineers.The bridges are being examined by a team of experts, including specialists from the Royal Engineers.
More than 1,300 homes were affected and people have been advised not to return. Much of the UK faces more heavy rain.More than 1,300 homes were affected and people have been advised not to return. Much of the UK faces more heavy rain.
Meanwhile, in Powys, the bad weather is hampering the search for a woman who was swept along the River Usk in Brecon.Meanwhile, in Powys, the bad weather is hampering the search for a woman who was swept along the River Usk in Brecon.
See map of affected areaSee map of affected area
In Devon, a canoeist died after being pulled from the River Dart.In Devon, a canoeist died after being pulled from the River Dart.
He had become caught against a tree in stormy weather. Two others were airlifted to hospital suffering hypothermia.He had become caught against a tree in stormy weather. Two others were airlifted to hospital suffering hypothermia.
'Still emergency phase''Still emergency phase'
There are currently 18 flood warnings in force across northern parts of England, Scotland and Wales.There are currently 18 flood warnings in force across northern parts of England, Scotland and Wales.
There is also a Met Office warning for localised flooding in western counties of Northern Ireland.There is also a Met Office warning for localised flooding in western counties of Northern Ireland.
YOUR STORIES Chris FreerCockermouth resident We're staying at a friend's house as we were phoning around all the estate agencies trying to find accommodation but nothing was available.YOUR STORIES Chris FreerCockermouth resident We're staying at a friend's house as we were phoning around all the estate agencies trying to find accommodation but nothing was available.
The estate agents are out of action as they can't get into their offices.The estate agents are out of action as they can't get into their offices.
We need to get back to Cockermouth and we need to support the community to get it up and running.We need to get back to Cockermouth and we need to support the community to get it up and running.
Personal items don't really matter, we are more concerned about the community getting pulled apart and separated.Personal items don't really matter, we are more concerned about the community getting pulled apart and separated.
We've lost everything downstairs so we've got to take care of that.We've lost everything downstairs so we've got to take care of that.
We don't know what timescale we're on but we can't expect it to be back in until well after Christmas.We don't know what timescale we're on but we can't expect it to be back in until well after Christmas.
Floods claims could exceed £100m Fund for flooding victims set up In pictures: Cumbria aftermathFloods claims could exceed £100m Fund for flooding victims set up In pictures: Cumbria aftermath
River levels have subsided but four "severe" flood warnings - posing a threat of "extreme danger to life and property" - still apply to Cumbria.River levels have subsided but four "severe" flood warnings - posing a threat of "extreme danger to life and property" - still apply to Cumbria.
Around 20,000 flood defence bags are to be handed out to people in Cockermouth and Keswick. Almost 800 properties are still without power.Around 20,000 flood defence bags are to be handed out to people in Cockermouth and Keswick. Almost 800 properties are still without power.
In addition to the six collapsed bridges, another six are closed, making travel very difficult in the west of the county.In addition to the six collapsed bridges, another six are closed, making travel very difficult in the west of the county.
Some local journeys from Cockermouth are more than doubled when the bridges are closed.Some local journeys from Cockermouth are more than doubled when the bridges are closed.
A number of crossings have been damaged by heavy flooding and Pc Bill Barker was killed in the early hours of Friday when a bridge outside Workington collapsed.A number of crossings have been damaged by heavy flooding and Pc Bill Barker was killed in the early hours of Friday when a bridge outside Workington collapsed.
Some 24,000 people have paid tribute to the policeman on the social networking site Facebook.Some 24,000 people have paid tribute to the policeman on the social networking site Facebook.
A minute's silence was held during services at St Michael's church in Workington in tribute to Pc Barker.A minute's silence was held during services at St Michael's church in Workington in tribute to Pc Barker.
Police say they are closely monitoring Calva Bridge in Workington, which is part of the A596, and are warning the public not to cross it under any circumstances.Police say they are closely monitoring Calva Bridge in Workington, which is part of the A596, and are warning the public not to cross it under any circumstances.
Professor Roger Falconer, a water management specialist at Cardiff University, said the force of the water swirling around the bridge's pillars was undermining the foundations.Professor Roger Falconer, a water management specialist at Cardiff University, said the force of the water swirling around the bridge's pillars was undermining the foundations.
A spokesman for the Environment Agency, Chris Robinson, said the checks were a "sensible precaution".A spokesman for the Environment Agency, Chris Robinson, said the checks were a "sensible precaution".
"[With the need to] get under way with the clean-up operation and also [for] emergency services to be able to react to the incident, then bridges are obviously important parts of the infrastructure," he said."[With the need to] get under way with the clean-up operation and also [for] emergency services to be able to react to the incident, then bridges are obviously important parts of the infrastructure," he said.
"It's important that we do know that they're safe in order for us to use them.""It's important that we do know that they're safe in order for us to use them."
Chief Superintendent Steve Johnson said people were still using bridges as vantage points, which was risking not only their lives but those of the emergency services.Chief Superintendent Steve Johnson said people were still using bridges as vantage points, which was risking not only their lives but those of the emergency services.
"If people don't need to travel, don't make non-essential journeys," he added."If people don't need to travel, don't make non-essential journeys," he added.
FLOOD ADVICE UK rainfall map at 1500 GMT Sunday 22 November Cumbria Police casualty bureau: 0800 0560944 or 0207 1580010Floodline number 0845 988 1188 Cumbria County Council - road and bridge closures What to do if floods hit Key local info from BBC Cumbria Environment Agency (England and Wales) Scottish Environment Protection Agency BBC Weather The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites FLOOD ADVICE UK rainfall map at 1500 GMT Sunday 22 November Cumbria Police casualty bureau: 0800 0560944 or 0207 1580010Floodline number 0845 988 1188 Cumbria County Council - road and bridge closures What to do if floods hit Key local info from BBC Cumbria Environment Agency (England and Wales) Scottish Environment Protection Agency BBC Weather The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites
Guy Broster from Cockermouth is a teacher at Nelson Thomlinson School in Wigton.Guy Broster from Cockermouth is a teacher at Nelson Thomlinson School in Wigton.
His usual journey to work is 15 miles and takes 20 minutes, but as the two main bridges out of Cockermouth are closed, he now has to take an alternative route which is 40 miles.His usual journey to work is 15 miles and takes 20 minutes, but as the two main bridges out of Cockermouth are closed, he now has to take an alternative route which is 40 miles.
He said: "The traffic is going to be horrendous, it could take several hours to get in. Anyone wanting to go up to Carlisle or Wigton will have to take this route and will be stuck."He said: "The traffic is going to be horrendous, it could take several hours to get in. Anyone wanting to go up to Carlisle or Wigton will have to take this route and will be stuck."
In the worst-hit areas, fire crews and structural engineers are continuing work to ensure buildings are safe.In the worst-hit areas, fire crews and structural engineers are continuing work to ensure buildings are safe.
While many of those forced out of their homes were staying with friends and family, about 60 people spent a third night in reception centres in Cockermouth.While many of those forced out of their homes were staying with friends and family, about 60 people spent a third night in reception centres in Cockermouth.
Adrian Holme, group manager for the fire service in Cumbria, said the operation was still in its "emergency" phase but they were hoping to move to "recovery" and clean-up soon.Adrian Holme, group manager for the fire service in Cumbria, said the operation was still in its "emergency" phase but they were hoping to move to "recovery" and clean-up soon.
Cockermouth's Main Street was left strewn with debris, shop windows were smashed and cars dented by the force of the flood water.Cockermouth's Main Street was left strewn with debris, shop windows were smashed and cars dented by the force of the flood water.
The Bishop of Carlisle James Newcombe praised the "grit, resilience and astonishing sense of humour" of people in the area, as churches around the country offered prayers for the flood-stricken communities.The Bishop of Carlisle James Newcombe praised the "grit, resilience and astonishing sense of humour" of people in the area, as churches around the country offered prayers for the flood-stricken communities.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown visited the area on Saturday and pledged £1m for flooded communities.Prime Minister Gordon Brown visited the area on Saturday and pledged £1m for flooded communities.
More heavy showersMore heavy showers
United Utilities says 40 waste treatment works which have been put out of action should be in service within three days. Tap water is safe to drink, the firm says.United Utilities says 40 waste treatment works which have been put out of action should be in service within three days. Tap water is safe to drink, the firm says.
Engineers are putting contingency plans in place to maintain water and electricity services in case the Calva Bridge does collapse, it added.Engineers are putting contingency plans in place to maintain water and electricity services in case the Calva Bridge does collapse, it added.
Recovery efforts may be hampered by further rain, following on from the record 314.4mm (12.4in) which fell at Seathwaite Farm in Cumbria over 24 hours before the weekend.Recovery efforts may be hampered by further rain, following on from the record 314.4mm (12.4in) which fell at Seathwaite Farm in Cumbria over 24 hours before the weekend.
Forecasters say Sunday afternoon will bring more heavy showers, with up to 40mm (1.6in) of rain in the county.Forecasters say Sunday afternoon will bring more heavy showers, with up to 40mm (1.6in) of rain in the county.
Much of north-west England, south-west Scotland and Northern Ireland faces similar showers and gales.Much of north-west England, south-west Scotland and Northern Ireland faces similar showers and gales.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency, which has issued six flood warnings covering the Ayrshire coast and rivers Tay, Isla and Earn, said rain on Sunday would cause water levels to rise again.The Scottish Environment Protection Agency, which has issued six flood warnings covering the Ayrshire coast and rivers Tay, Isla and Earn, said rain on Sunday would cause water levels to rise again.
However, it said flooding on the scale of Friday - when up to 40 businesses in Dumfries were flooded and about a dozen of the area's roads were closed - was unlikely.However, it said flooding on the scale of Friday - when up to 40 businesses in Dumfries were flooded and about a dozen of the area's roads were closed - was unlikely.
CUMBRIA BRIDGES AFFECTED text text 1. Northside Footbridge2. Northside Bridge3. Calva Bridge4. Camerton Footbridge5. Great Broughton6. Goat Bridge7. Papcastle Bridge8. Lorton Bridge9. Croft Terrace Footbridge10. Isel Bridge11. Newlands Beck Bridge12. Dalemain Footbridge CUMBRIA BRIDGES AFFECTED 1. Northside Footbridge 7. Papcastle Bridge 2. Northside Bridge 8. Lorton Bridge 3. Calva Bridge 9. Croft Terrace Footbridge 4. Camerton Footbridge 10. Isel Bridge 5. Great Broughton 11. Newlands Beck Bridge 6. Goat Bridge 12. Dalemain Footbridge
Do you live near a bridge in a flooded area? What are conditions like where you are? Send us your experiences and pictures.Do you live near a bridge in a flooded area? What are conditions like where you are? Send us your experiences 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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