Tuesday 22 December 2015

Cumbria Towns 'Hammered' By Floods Again

The Glendridding Hotel is flooded for a third time this month - and forecasters are warning of more heavy rain before Christmas. Flooding in Appleby.








Homes and businesses in at least two Cumbria villages have been "hammered" by flooding for the second time this month.
Appleby, where Prince Charles met victims of the previous floods yesterday, has been deluged by three to four feet of water after the banks of the River Eden burst just days before Christmas.
Sky's Mike McCarthy said "many, many properties have been evacuated" and that the town has effectively been "cut in two" after the main bridge was closed as a precaution.
Flooding in Appleby.
Five people, including a 70-year-old woman, have had to be rescued from properties.
Local journalist Ellis Butcher said: "Appleby and Glenridding have been hammered again.
"It is not as bad as it was on 5 December but it's shredding people's nerves, their lives and their businesses.
"Just when they were getting back on their feet they're back to square one."
But Mr Butcher added: "We're made of tough stuff up here, the whole community comes together. We can clear this up in a couple of days."
The Glendridding Hotel, near Ullswater, is under two feet of water following heavy rain - the third time it has been flooded this month.
They said on Facebook that staff were "feeling deflated".
"The beck is overflowing once again past the bridge and what was Ratchers Bar and the Kitchen is flooding again," the hotel added.
Flooding Keswick Glenridding hotel
"Contractors are in trying to save their equipment. Fire brigade are on their way to help pump out the water, we are currently at around 2 ft of water."
The hotel went on: "We just need to smile and carry on."
Elsewhere in Cumbria, the River Kent in Kendal is threatening to burst its banks and residents have been warned by police to move their vehicles.
There are currently 15 flood alerts in place across Cumbria, 11 of them in Appleby, Carlisle, Kendal and Keswick, with further heavy rain expected this week.
Sky News weather presenter Jo Wheeler said: "Continuing wet weather over northern England and Wales could lead to significant rainfall totals on Tuesday resulting in further flooding problems."
Cumbria police said the rain will be falling on ground that is already saturated and the public should keep away from rivers.
They added the rain is likely to cause surface flooding on roads and warned motorists to be aware of the deteriorating conditions.
Chief Inspector Matt Kennerley said: "It is imperative that motorists react to the weather conditions and adapt their driving style accordingly.
"Please do not in any circumstance ignore road closure signs and continue on your journey. Driving through flood water is extremely dangerous as you cannot determine the depth."
Forecasters say it will be largely dry with sunny periods in the North West on Wednesday but more heavy rain will follow on Christmas Eve.
It has been estimated that 5,200 homes in the region were damaged by flooding after Storm Desmond struck.
On Friday, the Association of British Insurers said they expected thestorm and flooding recovery to cost about £520m in insurance payouts.

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