Cumbria braced for more floods as heavy rain forecast

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Shopkeeper Catherine Hetherington confronts damage for the first time

Residents in areas of Cumbria hit by devastating floods have been warned to expect further heavy rain and possibly more flooding.

The warning came after residents and business-owners returned to about 900 properties in Cockermouth after police lifted the cordon for them.

The Met Office says Tuesday will see 70mm to 100mm (2.8in to 3.9in) of rain fall on high ground in Cumbria.

The Environment Agency said the rain would fall on already saturated ground.

The agency has 20 flood warnings in place across the UK - 10 in north-west England, six in Wales, three in the Midlands and one in the North East.

I feel like giving up - everything is ruined Elaine Oxon Shop owner in Cockermouth BBC reporters tell of hardship In pictures: Return to flood town

Twenty-five soldiers from 39 Regiment the Royal Artillery have been sent to flood-hit areas to assist the emergency services.

Rescue teams have continued their search for a 21-year-old woman who went missing in the River Usk in Powys on Saturday night. A man has been helping police establish how the woman fell into the river.

Communities Minister Rosie Winterton has been chairing a meeting of ministers to discuss what more can be done to help victims of the flooding.

Climate change

Environment Secretary Hilary Benn told the House of Commons that although the clean-up operation had begun in Cumbria, there could be some further flooding on Tuesday.

FLOOD ADVICE Cumbria Police casualty bureau: 0800 0560944 or 0207 1580010 Floodline number 0845 988 1188 Cumbria County Council - road and bridge closures What to do if floods hit Key local info from BBC Cumbria Environment Agency (England and Wales) Scottish Environment Protection Agency BBC Weather BBC Cumbria The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites

He said: "I saw for myself on Friday and Saturday in Cockermouth just what an effect the torrent of water had on homes, businesses and communities. It is utterly devastating."

He said that although the flooding could not be attributed to climate change, more extreme weather could be expected in the future.

Mr Benn said a record £2.15bn was being invested in river and coastal defences over three years.

Shadow environment secretary Nick Herbert called for a formal review of flood defences in the Cumbria area. Liberal Democrat spokesman Tim Farron, who represents Westmorland and Lonsdale in Cumbria, said the devastation had brought communities closer together.

All properties in Cockermouth are being checked by engineers before people can enter.

Natalia Ekarad said she was "devastated" by the state of her home in Main Street after returning there.

"We have been here two years and were so happy. Now everything is gone," she said.

Elaine Oxon, owner of fashion store Westmidges, said she had lost her entire stock.

BBC weather
36-hour forecast

Forecast published at 0900 GMT, 23 November 2009

Latest forecast at BBC weather

"The smell is absolutely horrendous - it might be contaminated," she said.

"We may never be able to open again and I feel like giving up. Everything is ruined."

Six bridges have collapsed in Cumbria and a safety review of all 1,800 crossings in the county is taking place.

The closure of Calva Bridge in Workington, which has been condemned to demolition, means people face a 30-mile detour to get to the other side of the town.

The Highways Agency said it did not expect temporary bridges to be in place before Christmas but Cumbria County Council said it might be able to construct a temporary single-carriageway bridge in Workington before then.

Cumbria County Council chief executive Jill Stannard, who took up her post only last Thursday, put the damage in the area at "tens of millions of pounds".

Cumbria Chief Constable Craig Mackey said it could take years for the affected areas to recover.

CUMBRIA BRIDGE PROBLEMS

Collapsed bridges: 1. Northside Footbridge, Workington 2. Northside Bridge, Workington 3. Camerton Footbridge, Camerton 4. Lorton Bridge, Cockermouth 5. Newlands Beck Bridge, upstream of Braithwaite 6. Dalemain Footbridge, Dalemain

Closed bridges: 7. Calva Bridge, Workington 8. Goat Bridge, Cockermouth 9.Holmrook Bridge, Holmrook 10. Ouse Bridge, north of Dubwath 11. Isel Bridge, near Cockermouth 12. Braithwaite Village Bridge 13. Southwaite Bridge 14. Broughton Bridge 15. Bridge End, Egremont 16. Spark Bridge 17. Backbarrow Bridge (off A590) 18. Bouthrey Bridge, Water Yeat 19. Station Road, Broughton in Furness

Source: Cumbria County Council as of 1600 GMT, 22 November

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