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Residents return to flooded town Residents return to flooded town
(30 minutes later)
Some 900 home and shop owners in one of the towns worst hit by recent flooding have been allowed to return by police.Some 900 home and shop owners in one of the towns worst hit by recent flooding have been allowed to return by police.
All properties in Cockermouth are being checked by engineers before people can enter. Elsewhere in Cumbria, at least 25 roads and 16 bridges remain closed.All properties in Cockermouth are being checked by engineers before people can enter. Elsewhere in Cumbria, at least 25 roads and 16 bridges remain closed.
There are 20 flood warnings across the UK but forecasters say Monday's rain should not raise river levels.There are 20 flood warnings across the UK but forecasters say Monday's rain should not raise river levels.
However, more is due on Tuesday and the Environment Agency said it was "keeping a very close eye on the situation".However, more is due on Tuesday and the Environment Agency said it was "keeping a very close eye on the situation".
The Met Office is warning of 70 to 100mm (2.8 to 3.9in) of rain over high ground in Cumbria.The Met Office is warning of 70 to 100mm (2.8 to 3.9in) of rain over high ground in Cumbria.
Map of bridges affected in Cumbria
It is expected to start at about 0600 GMT on Tuesday, only dying out at about midnight.It is expected to start at about 0600 GMT on Tuesday, only dying out at about midnight.
A spokesman said: "It's certainly enough to exacerbate the recovery problems."A spokesman said: "It's certainly enough to exacerbate the recovery problems."
Ministers will meet on Monday afternoon to discuss what more can be done to help victims of the flooding. Communities minister Rosie Winterton will chair a meeting of ministers at 1700 GMT to discuss what more can be done to help victims of the flooding.
'Utterly devastating''Utterly devastating'
Environment Secretary Hilary Benn told the Commons the clean-up operation had begun in Cumbria but there could be some further flooding on Tuesday.Environment Secretary Hilary Benn told the Commons the clean-up operation had begun in Cumbria but there could be some further flooding on Tuesday.
He said: "I saw for myself on Friday and Saturday in Cockermouth just what an effect the torrent of water had on homes, businesses and communities. It is utterly devastating."He said: "I saw for myself on Friday and Saturday in Cockermouth just what an effect the torrent of water had on homes, businesses and communities. It is utterly devastating."
He said that although the flooding could not be attributed to climate change, more extreme weather could be expected in the future.He said that although the flooding could not be attributed to climate change, more extreme weather could be expected in the future.
I feel like giving up - everything is ruined Elaine OxonShop owner in Cockermouth Gardens, roads and lives upturned In pictures: Return to flood townI feel like giving up - everything is ruined Elaine OxonShop owner in Cockermouth Gardens, roads and lives upturned In pictures: Return to flood town
Mr Benn said a record £2.15bn was being invested in river and coastal defences over three years.Mr Benn said a record £2.15bn was being invested in river and coastal defences over three years.
Shadow environment secretary Nick Herbert called for a formal review of flood defences in the area.Shadow environment secretary Nick Herbert called for a formal review of flood defences in the area.
Liberal Democrat spokesman Tim Farron, who represents Westmorland and Lonsdale in Cumbria, said the devastation had brought communities closer together.Liberal Democrat spokesman Tim Farron, who represents Westmorland and Lonsdale in Cumbria, said the devastation had brought communities closer together.
In Cockermouth, Natalia Ekarad said she was "devastated" by the state of her home in Main Street after returning there.In Cockermouth, Natalia Ekarad said she was "devastated" by the state of her home in Main Street after returning there.
"We have been here two years and were so happy. Now everything is gone," she said."We have been here two years and were so happy. Now everything is gone," she said.
Elaine Oxon, owner of fashion store Westmidges, said she had lost her entire stock.Elaine Oxon, owner of fashion store Westmidges, said she had lost her entire stock.
"The smell is absolutely horrendous - it might be contaminated," she said."The smell is absolutely horrendous - it might be contaminated," she said.
"We may never be able to open again and I feel like giving up. Everything is ruined.""We may never be able to open again and I feel like giving up. Everything is ruined."
River searchRiver search
Five secondary schools and 13 primary schools in Cumbria remain shut, with many homes and businesses still cut off.Five secondary schools and 13 primary schools in Cumbria remain shut, with many homes and businesses still cut off.
FLOOD ADVICE 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 BBC Cumbria The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites FLOOD ADVICE 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 BBC Cumbria The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites
There are 10 flood warnings in the north-west of England, five in Wales, three in the Midlands, and one each in the North East and Scotland.There are 10 flood warnings in the north-west of England, five in Wales, three in the Midlands, and one each in the North East and Scotland.
There has also been a Met Office warning for localised flooding in western counties of Northern Ireland.There has also been a Met Office warning for localised flooding in western counties of Northern Ireland.
A search has resumed for a 21-year-old woman who was swept along the River Usk in Brecon, Powys, on Saturday night.A search has resumed for a 21-year-old woman who was swept along the River Usk in Brecon, Powys, on Saturday night.
A man who was with her raised the alarm. He has been helping police with their inquiries as they try to establish exactly what happened.A man who was with her raised the alarm. He has been helping police with their inquiries as they try to establish exactly what happened.
Work continues on a safety review of all 1,800 bridges in Cumbria, where six crossings have already collapsed and Calva Bridge in Workington, which is also in danger of crumbling, has been condemned.Work continues on a safety review of all 1,800 bridges in Cumbria, where six crossings have already collapsed and Calva Bridge in Workington, which is also in danger of crumbling, has been condemned.
Its closure means people in Northside face a 40-mile road detour just to get to the town centre.Its closure means people in Northside face a 40-mile road detour just to get to the town centre.
Twenty-five soldiers from 39 Regiment the Royal Artillery have been sent to flood-hit areas to assist the emergency services.Twenty-five soldiers from 39 Regiment the Royal Artillery have been sent to flood-hit areas to assist the emergency services.
'Very traumatic''Very traumatic'
Cumbria Chief Constable Craig Mackey said it could take years for Cumbria to recover from the damage.Cumbria Chief Constable Craig Mackey said it could take years for Cumbria to recover from the damage.
Cumbria County Council chief executive Jill Stannard, who took up her post only last Thursday, said the damage from the floods had run into "tens of millions of pounds" after more than 1,300 homes were flooded by record daily rainfall last Thursday and Friday.Cumbria County Council chief executive Jill Stannard, who took up her post only last Thursday, said the damage from the floods had run into "tens of millions of pounds" after more than 1,300 homes were flooded by record daily rainfall last Thursday and Friday.
Liam Dutton with the BBC weather forecastLiam Dutton with the BBC weather forecast
Ms Stannard said the authorities were trying to establish the whereabouts of people who were unaccounted for, although she stressed many of them might have gone to stay with relatives and friends outside the area.Ms Stannard said the authorities were trying to establish the whereabouts of people who were unaccounted for, although she stressed many of them might have gone to stay with relatives and friends outside the area.
She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "We are confident we can reach everyone. People get very frightened - totally understandably because this is very traumatic.She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "We are confident we can reach everyone. People get very frightened - totally understandably because this is very traumatic.
"It is important that people listen to advice through the media and don't listen to rumour and gossip.""It is important that people listen to advice through the media and don't listen to rumour and gossip."
An Environment Agency spokeswoman said the additional rain on Tuesday would fall on already saturated ground.An Environment Agency spokeswoman said the additional rain on Tuesday would fall on already saturated ground.
"We are keeping a very close eye on the developing situation and we ask the public to stay tuned to local radio stations and call the Floodline on 0845 988 1188 for the most up-to-date information," she said."We are keeping a very close eye on the developing situation and we ask the public to stay tuned to local radio stations and call the Floodline on 0845 988 1188 for the most up-to-date information," she said.
CUMBRIA BRIDGE PROBLEMS Collapsed bridges: 1. Northside Footbridge, Workington 2. Northside Bridge, Workington 3. Camerton Footbridge, Camerton 4. Lorton Bridge, Cockermouth 5. Newlands Beck Bridge, upstream of Braithwaite 6. Dalemain Footbridge, DalemainClosed bridges: 7. Calva Bridge, Workington 8. Goat Bridge, Cockermouth 9.Holmrook Bridge, Holmrook 10. Ouse Bridge, north of Dubwath 11. Isel Bridge, near Cockermouth 12. Braithwaite Village Bridge 13. Southwaite Bridge 14. Broughton Bridge 15. Bridge End, Egremont 16. Spark Bridge 17. Backbarrow Bridge (off A590) 18. Bouthrey Bridge, Water Yeat 19. Station Road, Broughton in Furness Source: Cumbria County Council as of 1600 GMT, 22 November
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