Border Floods News

Communities in Cumbria affected by flash flooding at the weekend are today calling on the county council to put in place a strategy to deal with the problem.

Firefighters were called out to 50 separate incidents on Saturday as homes and businesses were flooded and roads turned to rivers.

Samantha Parker reports on the ongoing clean up:

• UK
• Floods
• Cumbria

The clean up in Cumbria continues this week following flash flooding in the county on Saturday (18th May).

Many roads have been damaged and Cumbria County Council are asking people to call them to report issues.

The highways hotline is 08456096609.

• UK
• Floods
• Cumbria

The clean up has begun after heavy rainfall caused flooding over the weekend.

In Carlisle the flood defences were closed as a precaution to protect hundreds of homes.

In Wigton the water caused damage to businesses.

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• Floods
• flooding

Over the weekend, parts of Cumbria have recorded 42mm of rainfall which is close to the average for the whole of May.

The market town of Wigton has experienced flooding after heavy rainfall in the last 24 hours.

• UK
• Cumbria
• flooding

• There are currently 76 flood warnings in place across the UK with areas in the Midlands (22) and South East of England (25) most at risk of heavy flooding.
• Nearly 200 areas have been issued with flood alerts by the Environment Agency and warned to be prepared for the prospect of more wet weather.

• Heavy rain is forecast overnight and into tomorrow morning, which means water levels could remain high.

• UK
• Weather
• Floods

• UK
• Cumbria
• Floods

Schools, businesses and home owners are cleaning up after flash floods hit parts of west Cumbria.

St Patrick's Primary School in Cleator Moor remains closed after children were sent home early when water poured through the ceiling.

Head teacher Emma Jackson hopes the school will re-open tomorrow (19 October) and staff worked through the night to clear up the damage.

"We sent the children home as a precaution, ceiling tiles fell down and there was some damage. The staff worked last night and this morning to get it cleared up.

"As soon as we have the ok we will reopen and we hope to be back up and running on Friday. The staff have been brilliant."

Parts of Whitehaven were closed by police and damage was done to roads and pavements after three inches of water fell during high tide.

Cellars around Market Street were flooded and homes in St Bees were affected.

The Environment Agency has issued Flood Alerts along the same stretch of coast today.

• UK
• Cumbria
• Floods

A £6.1 million flood defence scheme for Keswick is being officially unveiled. The scheme is already bringing improved protection to more than 180 homes and businesses.

Keswick was devastated by record rainfall in November 2009. The new defences will protect against floods of a similar scale.

Construction began in May 2011. Today, the chairman of the Environment Agency will unveil a commemorative plaque on High Hill to mark the completion.

The new defences consist of flood walls and embankments, three specially-designed flood gates, and flood-proof doors and windows for some properties.

Matt Crump, Environment Agency Operations Manager, said: "The flooding experienced across the UK this week is a stark reminder of what has happened in Keswick in recent years and the journey we've taken since then to get this flood risk management scheme in place.

"We are extremely pleased that this is now significantly reducing the risk of flooding from the River Greta and protecting the people of Keswick."

People in the town can find out more about the new scheme at a drop-in session at Crosthwaite Parish Rooms between 12.30 pm and 5 pm on Monday.

• UK
• Keswick
• Weather