Flood warnings in Britain
As Britain is lashed by heaving winds and torrential rain, 200 residents in the town of Cockermouth in Cumbria are rescued by emergency services.
When it rains it pours, today the town of Cockermouth in Cumbria was devastated by torrential rains and floods and, according to The Environmental Agency, is under 2.5 (8ft 2in) of water. A local police officer is also missing after a bridge collapsed in the town of Workington under the intensity of the volume of water.
The treacherous conditions have also closed up to 30 roads in Galloway and Dumfries in Scotland, as well as roads in mid- and north Wales. Train services and schools have also been severely disrupted in these regions by the unprecedented levels of rainfall.
On BBC breakfast, Hilary Benn, the Environmental Secretary told viewers "We have seen extraordinary amounts of rainfall. The rain gauge at Seathwaite registered 314mm (12.4in) in 24 hours which could make it the wettest day ever recorded.”
With 28 severe flood warning issued by the Environmental Agency in Cumbria and 9 currently in Scotland the RAF, Fire Service and local authorities are doing everything they can to help people desperately in need.
Source: BBC News, Friday 20 November 2009
Date posted: 20 November 2009
