Heavy rain causes flood chaos in Cumbria

Nov 20 2009 by Graeme Whitfield, The Journal

A police spokesman said: “Cumbria Police have received 90 flood-related calls for assistance related to the weather, ranging from evacuation assistance to requests for information regarding road closures. In addition, the Fire and Rescue Service has dealt with 150 incidents, including multiple rescues of vulnerable people to points of safety.”

Emergency reception centres have been opened at Cockermouth School, Keswick Convention Centre, Southey Street Methodist Hall and Skiddaw Hotel. Police said around 85 people were sheltering in the centres.

Members of the public are being advised by police to avoid fell walking in Cumbria as the combination of high winds and rain will be worst on high ground.

The coastguard was also urging people to avoid fishing on sea walls or taking light craft out to sea while the weather remains poor.

They were also discouraging people from attempting to sight-see and anyone considering venturing to the coast was advised to exercise extreme caution.

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution’s Flood Rescue Team (FRT) were last night asked by the police to join the emergency flood response in Cockermouth.

Volunteers trained in specialist swift-water rescue techniques and equipped with inflatable inshore rescue boats met in Stockton-on-Tees before heading over to Cumbria.