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Residents returning to flood town Residents return to flooded town
(about 1 hour 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 and 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 flood warnings in 22 areas of the UK but weather experts say Monday's rain should not raise river levels.There are flood warnings in 22 areas of the UK but weather experts 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) over high ground in Cumbria.The Met Office is warning of 70 to 100mm (2.8 to 3.9in) over high ground in Cumbria.
It is expected to start at about 0600 GMT on Tuesday, intensifying between 0900 GMT and 1100 GMT, and only dying out at about midnight. It is expected to start at about 0600 GMT on Tuesday, only dying out at about midnight.
FLOOD ADVICE Cumbria Police casualty bureau: 0800 0560944 or 0207 1580010Floodline number 0845 988 1188 class="" href="http://www.cumbria.gov.uk/">Cumbria County Council - road and bridge closures href="/2/hi/uk_news/8370243.stm">What to do if floods hit class="" href="/local/cumbria/hi/people_and_places/nature/newsid_8369000/8369753.stm">Key local info from BBC Cumbria class="" href="http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/default.aspx">Environment Agency (England and Wales) class="" href="http://www.sepa.org.uk/">Scottish Environment Protection Agency class="" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/weather/">BBC Weather class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/england/cumbria/default.stm">BBC Cumbria The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites I feel like giving up - everything is ruined Elaine OxonShop owner in Cockermouth href="/2/hi/in_pictures/8374072.stm">In pictures: Return to flood town
A spokesman said: "It's certainly enough to exacerbate the recovery problems."A spokesman said: "It's certainly enough to exacerbate the recovery problems."
Ch Supt Steve Johnson, of Cumbria Police, told BBC News: "We understand it will be a very emotional time, people will see for the first time the full effect of what has gone on here." In Cockermouth, Natalia Ekarad said she was "devastated" by the state of her home in Main Street after returning there.
Five secondary schools and 13 primaries in the county remain shut, with many homes and businesses still cut off. "We have been here two years and were so happy. Now everything is gone," she said.
However river levels in Cumbria have subsided and now just one of the warnings is "severe" - indicating a threat of "extreme danger to life and property". It applies to parts of the River Eamont. Elaine Oxon, owner of fashion store Westmidges, said she has lost her entire stock.
"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."
Search continues
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
However river levels have subsided and now just one of the warnings is "severe" - indicating a threat of "extreme danger to life and property". It applies to parts of the River Eamont.
Six flood warnings apply to Scotland, 10 to north-west England and two to the Midlands.Six flood warnings apply to Scotland, 10 to north-west England and two to the Midlands.
Four have been issued for Wales where, in Powys, a search has resumed for a 21-year-old woman who was swept along the River Usk in Brecon on Saturday night.Four have been issued for Wales where, in Powys, a search has resumed for a 21-year-old woman who was swept along the River Usk in Brecon on Saturday night.
A man, who was with her, raised the alarm. He has been helping police with their enquiries as they try to establish exactly what happened.A man, who was with her, raised the alarm. He has been helping police with their enquiries as they try to establish exactly what happened.
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.
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.
We will be working with our communities for weeks, months, and in some cases years to come Chief Constable Craig MackeyCumbria Police In pictures: Return to flood town
Its closure means people in Northside face a 40-mile detour just to get to the town centre.Its closure means people in Northside face a 40-mile detour just to get to the town centre.
Environment Secretary Hilary Benn is due to make a statement on the floods in the House of Commons later when he is expected to announce more government funding to rebuild bridges.Environment Secretary Hilary Benn is due to make a statement on the floods in the House of Commons later when he is expected to announce more government funding to rebuild bridges.
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.
According to Cumbria Chief Constable Craig Mackey, 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.
He said: "We will be working with our communities for weeks, months, and in some cases years to come. "The particular issue which made this so different is the damage to infrastructures," he said.
"The particular issue which made this so different is the damage to infrastructures.
'Very frightened'
"It is highly unusual to see that level of damage to infrastructures and clearly means that this next phase that we are moving into as a county is going to take a considerable amount of time.""It is highly unusual to see that level of damage to infrastructures and clearly means that this next phase that we are moving into as a county is going to take a considerable amount of time."
'Very frightened'
Jill Stannard, the chief executive of Cumbria County Council - who only took up her post last Thursday - said the damage from the floods had run into "tens of millions of pounds" after more then 1,300 homes were flooded by record daily rainfall last Thursday and Friday.Jill Stannard, the chief executive of Cumbria County Council - who only took up her post last Thursday - said the damage from the floods had run into "tens of millions of pounds" after more then 1,300 homes were flooded by record daily rainfall last Thursday and Friday.

BBC weather36-hour forecast

Forecast published at 0900 GMT, 23 November 2009Latest forecast at BBC weather

BBC weather36-hour forecast

Forecast published at 0900 GMT, 23 November 2009Latest forecast at BBC weather
She said she had been in talks with central government departments over the weekend to seek financial support to deal with the aftermath. She told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme the authorities were trying to establish the whereabouts of "less than 50" people who remain unaccounted for, although she stressed that many of these may have gone to stay with relatives and friends outside the area.
Ms Stannard told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme the authorities were trying to establish the whereabouts of "less than 50" people who remain unaccounted for, although she stressed that many of these may have gone to stay with relatives and friends outside the area. "We are confident we can reach everyone," she said. "People get very frightened - totally understandably because this is very traumatic.
She acknowledged that many local people were "very frightened" about access to healthcare, but urged them to listen to official advice transmitted by the media rather than giving credence to rumours about the situation.
Anyone calling their GP will be able to get through, and the authorities are able to deliver prescriptions to everyone in Cumbria, she said.
"We are confident we can reach everyone," she said. "We have been reaching people over the weekend. 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.
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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