Cumbria weather: Flooding warnings in place as heavy rain hits county

 

Heavy rain has hit parts of Cumbria with warnings that up to 250mm (9.8 inches) could fall over the next 24 hours.

The Met Office has issued an amber - or medium risk - warning, which will be in place until 23:59 BST on Thursday.

It said the rain could cause localised flooding and disruption.

Kendal resident Liz Dales, who was flooded out during Storm Desmond in 2015, said people were "at the mercy of the elements".

She said she had moved her car to higher ground, put in her home's flood gates in place and would move belongings upstairs in anticipation of a deluge.

"The flood gates aren't foolproof - we go to bed with our cagoules and our wellies by the bed and you just hope for the best," she said.

"You can have your plan, you can put in all the precautionary measures but, at the end of the day, you're just at the mercy of the elements."

The Environment Agency said western and southern parts of the county were likely to be worst affected.

Flood warnings - meaning flooding is expected - are in place for parts of Keswick, Grasmere, White Bridge, Stock Lane, Burneside, Steeles Row and Carling Steps, where river levels have risen.

Cumbria has already seen hours of heavy rainfall causing disruption to cross-border rail services with Avanti West Coast advising passengers not to travel from stations in the north-west of England and Scotland before Friday.

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're here to help," the service tweeted.

Stewart Mounsey, the Environment Agency's flood risk manager for Cumbria, advised people to sign up for weather alerts via the organisation's website.

"We may see up to eight inches of rain over the next 24 hours, which is why the amber warning is in place," he said.

Ms Dales said the downpour in Kendal had already been significant.

"And the thing is it's going to be relentless tomorrow and then Friday as well so it's three days of not knowing," she said.