AN amber Met Office warning for rainis in force for much of Cumbria today.
The amber warning indicates potential risk to life and property, travel disruption and power cuts.
"In a 24-hour period you could see a month's worth of rain," said Met Office meteorologist Annie Shuttleworth on Wednesday night.
A less serious yellow rain warning extends into Lancashire, parts of Yorkshire, southern Scotland and most of Wales.
Read our flood tracker live blog below for the latest alerts…
- Joseph Gamp
Windermere ferry halted
Eight flood warnings are in place across Cumbria as more than a foot of rain falls in some parts of county.
The Windermere ferry has been unable to run today because the lake is too full after more than a foot of rain fell over parts of Cumbria in 24 hours.
Operators of the Windermere ferry tweeted: “Due to excessive rainfall overnight the lake levels have risen to an extent whereby we cannot land safely and must suspend services till levels drop”.
- Joseph Gamp
Holidaymakers in Lake District urged to stay alert
Ben Lukey, Flood Duty Manager at the Environment Agency, said they are: “working with our partners in local resilience forums, Environment Agency teams have been out on the ground clearing waste grilles and screens, and stand ready to operate flood defences if needed.
“They are also ready to support local authorities in their response to surface water flooding.
“We are urging residents and visitors, especially holidaymakers in the Lake District, to stay alert and check their flood risk by signing up for free flood warnings on the Gov.uk website and via @EnvAgency on Twitter, which offer the latest updates.”
- Joseph Gamp
What to expect from an amber warning
Persistent, heavy rain could lead to flooding and disruption.
According to the Met Office there is a risk of the following:
- Homes and businesses flooded and damage to some buildings
- Danger to life from fast flowing or deep floodwater
- Delays or cancellations to train and bus services
- Spray and flooding leading to difficult driving conditions and some road closures
- Some communities cut off by flooded roads
- Power cuts and loss of other services to some homes and businesses
- Joseph Gamp
Mapped: Multiple weather warnings in place
There is an amber waarning for rain and yellow warning fro floods in Cumbria.
Other parts of the country have a yellow warning for flooding, including Wales, parts of Cornwall, Manchester and Southern Scotland.
Of the Amber warning, in place for Cumbria, the Met Office says: "Persistent, heavy rain will continue through Wednesday, overnight and for much of Thursday.
"100 to 150 mm rain is likely to accumulate quite widely through this period, with 200 to 250 mm falling over prone fells, mainly across the west of the warning area.
"Rain is likely to become more showery and less persistent, albeit still heavy at times, during Thursday night and perhaps Friday morning, with a separate yellow warning still in force at that time."
- Joseph Gamp
Heavy rain contiunuing to batter Cumbria – Met Office
The Met Office says that some parts of Cumbria have seen extreme rainfall.
Honister Pass has seen an average of 358mm in the past 38 hours.
The weather agency tweeted: "Heavy #rain continues to give #flooding across #Cumbria
F"or the latest information on flood warnings across England, please check the @EnvAgency website."
- Milica Cosic
Explained: What is flooding and why does it happen?
When there's too much water, or if the water's in the wrong place, it causes a problem that's called flooding.
In the UK, people are sometimes forced out of their homes when lots of rain has fallen in a short space of time and caused a flood.
There are many different types of flooding, and some of the most common ones are:
- Coastal flooding
- River flooding
- Groundwater flooding
- Flash floods
Because the UK gets a lot of rain and sometimes it's really heavy, normally the soil and plants act like a giant sponge. However, sometimes the sponge effect doesn't work because the ground is already very wet.
When that happens, all the rain tries to get into the river at the same time. If the river isn't big enough to handle the water there will be a flood.
'Autumn is very much with us'
Met Office meteorologist Luke Miall said: "Autumn is very much with us across the UK through this week, turning a lot more unsettled over the next few days.
Residents and visitors and especially holidaymakers in the Lake District have been urged to stay alert and check their flood risk.
You can do so by signing up for free flood warnings on the Gov.uk website and via the @EnvAgency on Twitter.
FOOT of downpours expected in coming days
Brits have been battered by torrential rain with nearly a FOOT of downpours expected in the coming days as danger-to-life floods grip parts of the country.
A total of five weather warnings are in place today – two of which are categorised as "severe."
Persistent, heavy rain has led to flooding and disruption, and a danger to life warning has been issued as Brits are warned to stay away from fast-flowing or deep floodwater.
Trains and bus services are expected to be delayed and cancelled – while some communities will be cut off by the floodwater.
Handful of properties flooded
Stewart Mounsey, the Environment Agency's flood risk manager for Cumbria, said: "Sadly we are seeing some properties being flooded, it's only a handful at the moment, but that's obviously devastating for those involved.
"We're still gathering the number of those and locations."
- Milica Cosic
Pictures on social media show chaos
People have been taking to social media to show the submerged roads in Cumbria, with one image showing cars stuck at Windermere School.
A video by flood risk analyst Dr Ed Henderson also showed terrible driving conditions and submerged roads yesterday in Borrowdale.
- Milica Cosic
Crews helping vehicles stuck in floodwater
Brian Steadman, Cumbria's deputy chief fire officer has said: "DON'T enter flood water it's not only your life you are gambling with".
Crews were already having to help vehicles stuck in floodwater on Thursday, said Mr Steadman.
The rain is expected to continue on Friday but should ease slightly in the North West.
- Milica Cosic
Potential risk to life and property, travel disruption and power cuts
An amber Met Office warning for rain – indicating potential risk to life and property, travel disruption and power cuts – is in force for much of Cumbria on Thursday.
"In a 24-hour period you could see a month's worth of rain," said Met Office meteorologist Annie Shuttleworth on Wednesday night.
A less serious yellow rain warning extends into Lancashire, parts of Yorkshire, southern Scotland and most of Wales.
- Milica Cosic
Pictured: Lake District flooding
Persistent, heavy rain has led to flooding and disruption, and a danger to life warning has been issued as Brits are warned to stay away from fast-flowing or deep floodwater.
Nearly 300mm is expected to fall in amber warning areas across some of the Cumbrian fells.
High water levels on the River Kent in Kendal, Cumbria Credit: PA The A66 near Kesiwick this morning as the river has burst its banks in some areas Credit: Jordan Crosby - Milica Cosic
Holidaymakers in Lake District urged to stay alert
Ben Lukey, Flood Duty Manager at the Environment Agency, said: “Working with our partners in local resilience forums, Environment Agency teams have been out on the ground clearing waste grilles and screens, and stand ready to operate flood defences if needed.
"They are also ready to support local authorities in their response to surface water flooding.
“We are urging residents and visitors, especially holidaymakers in the Lake District, to stay alert and check their flood risk by signing up for free flood warnings on the Gov.uk website and via @EnvAgency on Twitter, which offer the latest updates."
- Milica Cosic
Met Office Chief Meteorologist gives warning
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Paul Gundersen, said “The rain is likely to become more showery and less persistent, albeit still heavy at times, during Thursday night and perhaps Friday morning, with a separate warning still in force at that time.
“These amounts of rainfall present a real threat of flooding and people should keep a close eye on flood warnings from the Environment Agency, Natural Resources Wales and SEPA.
- Milica Cosic
Nine "immediate action" flood warnings in place in Cumbria
There were nine "immediate action" flood warnings in place in Cumbria on Thursday morning.
These areas included Keswick campsite, the River Ehen at Low Mill, and the River Cocker at Southwaite Bridge.
- Milica Cosic
‘A serious risk to the railway’
Liam Sumpter, Network Rail Scotland route director, said: "Extreme rainfall can pose a serious risk to the railway, causing landslips or damaging our infrastructure and bridges.
"The safety of our passengers and colleagues is our main priority during periods of poor weather, and slowing services down and running fewer trains will help us manage these conditions for everyone."
- Milica Cosic
Network Rail experiencing delays
Network Rail wrote on Twitter that there were delays to some journeys in Lancashire and Cumbria due to the persistent rain and safety-related speed restrictions are in place from 7pm Wednesday until Friday morning.
Passengers travelling between Glasgow or Edinburgh and Carlisle are being advised to travel only if the journey is "absolutely necessary".
- Milica Cosic
Explained: What does life-threatening flooding mean?
It means persistent, heavy rain leading to flooding and disruption.
People could also expect:
- Homes and businesses flooded and damage to some buildings
- Danger to life from fast flowing or deep floodwater
- Delays or cancellations to train and bus services
- Spray and flooding leading to difficult driving conditions and some road closures
- Some communities cut off by flooded roads
- Power cuts and loss of other services to some homes and businesses
Hours of heavy rainfall already happened in Cumbria
Cumbria had already had 12 hours of heavy rainfall on Wednesday, the service said.
Cumbria constabulary advised motorists to take care when driving on wet roads and be mindful that spray can reduce visibility, while Cumbria fire and rescue service said residents should be alert to the dangers of flood water.
“Never enter flood water on foot or in a vehicle. Call 999 if life is at risk – we are here to help,” the service tweeted.
UK flooding in pictures
The Met Office said there could be a "danger to life from fast-flowing or deep floodwater" in areas like Dumfries and Galloway in south-west Scotland.
The amber alerts also warn of potential damage to homes and businesses from flooding, dangerous driving conditions and travel disruption.
Communities could be cut off by flooded roads and face power cuts, according to the service.
- Milica Cosic
Rainfall total much higher than the average
Met Office meteorologist Annie Shuttleworth said: "The rainfall total is much higher than the average rainfall for this time of year, definitely, and in general, for any time of year it's a lot of rainfall in a short period of time."
- Milica Cosic
Windermere ferry halted
Eight flood warnings are in place across Cumbria as more than a foot of rain falls in some parts of county.
The Windermere ferry has been unable to run today because the lake is too full after more than a foot of rain fell over parts of Cumbria in 24 hours.
Operators of the Windermere ferry tweeted: “Due to excessive rainfall overnight the lake levels have risen to an extent whereby we cannot land safely and must suspend services till levels drop”.
- Milica Cosic
‘Life threatening flooding’
The Met Office has warned of life-threatening flooding as it issued amber weather warnings for rain in parts of England and Scotland.
Glasgow – as the city prepares for the COP26 climate summit – has been deluged by heavy rain, leaving cars stranded in roads.
Meanwhile Cumbria is being lashed with "persistent and heavy rain", which is not likely to ease until tonight, the service said.
- John Hall
BRUTAL WEATHER
Met Office meteorologist Luke Miall said: "Autumn is very much with us across the UK through this week, turning a lot more unsettled over the next few days.
"Through Wednesday morning the rain will turn more persistent for parts of Northern Ireland but especially southwest Scotland and Cumbria.
"We have a weather warning in place and we could see a large amount of rain building up through the course of Wednesday and into Thursday with a risk of flooding and some pretty tricky travelling conditions.
"Highs of 18C though, very very mild for this stage of the year.
"This wet weather will gradually trickle a little further southwards into north Wales and perhaps the north west Midlands as we go into Thursday.
"Quite strong winds as well, so we will continue to see some quite disruptive rainfall at times."
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