[C]umbria County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service and Highways Teams are currently working tirelessly to mitigate the disruption caused by the current heavy rain across Cumbria.
A Met Office yellow warning for rain is in place today to 9am tomorrow (Thursday), with the expectation that the county will see 25-50 mm of rain, with around 100 mm possible over higher ground.
The county council’s Highways Teams have been battling to keep open as much of the county’s road network as possible in the face of numerous incidents of localised flooding.
Roads currently affected:
- Carlisle B6263 closed Between Wetheral and Cumwhinton
- Carlisle C1016 closed Kingmoor Road – under Kingmoor Railway Bridge
- South Lakeland A684 Singleton Park Road closed near to Castle Green Hotel
- South Lakeland A5087 Coast Road at Aldingham – May be able to reopen as tide goes out
- South Lakeland Bridge Street, Burneside closed due to standing water
- South Lakeland A591 Kendal Bypass passable with care
- South Lakeland A66 Nook closed due to standing water
- South Lakeland Clappersgate closed due to standing water
- Allerdale C2001 Main Road Seaton closed due to standing water
- Allerdale C2016 Papcastle Road closed due to standing water
- Allerdale C2008 Dovenby Toll to Janet Bridge closed due to standing water
- Copeland C4014 Braystone to Beckermet closed due to standing water
22 schools currently closed (all expected to reopen tomorrow)
- Ambleside CofE Primary School (AMBLESIDE)
- Bassenthwaite School (KESWICK)
- Beacon Hill Community School (WIGTON)
- Blennerhasset School (WIGTON)
- Borrowdale CofE Primary School (KESWICK)
- Crosby Ravensworth CofE School (PENRITH)
- Crosscanonby St John’s CofE School (MARYPORT)
- Dowdales School (DALTON-IN-FURNESS)
- Great Orton Primary School (CARLISLE)
- Hawkshead Esthwaite Primary School (AMBLESIDE)
- Holm Cultram Abbey CofE School (WIGTON)
- Holme St Cuthbert School (MARYPORT)
- Ireby CofE School (WIGTON)
- Lanercost CofE School (BRAMPTON)
- Langdale CofE School (AMBLESIDE)
- Oughterside Primary School (WIGTON)
- Richmond Hill School (WIGTON)
- Sandside Lodge School (ULVERSTON)
- Solway Community Technology College (WIGTON)
- St Michael’s CofE Primary School – Bothel (WIGTON)
- Ulverston Victoria High School (ULVERSTON)
- Waberthwaite CofE School (MILLOM)
Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service Response
Since 8:20am this morning the county council’s Fire and Rescue Service have dealt with more than 30 flood related incidents. Initially, the majority of flood related calls were for advice in relation to sandbag provision. Since midday the number of incidents has increased and CFRS have deployed several fire appliances to deal with flooding and in a few cases they have rescued people from cars trapped in floodwater.
At this time CFRS are still dealing with 5 flood related incidents.
This morning the majority of flood related incidents were located in the South of Cumbria. There is still one ongoing incident in Ambleside area. However, the other ongoing flood related incidents are now located in the West of Cumbria, namely Aspatria, Keswick and Egremont.
Key safety messages for the public
Consider before you set off whether your journey is essential. If not, can it be delayed until after the rain has subsided.
Plan journeys in advance, taking care to avoid areas which are prone to flooding, and factor in extra time to allow for slower speeds and potential congestion.
Driving too fast through standing water could lead to tyres losing contact with the road. Slow down.
Finally, do not attempt to walk or drive through flood water. Flood or drainage problems can be reported online at www.cumbria.gov.uk/reportahighwayfault.
For all the latest updates on road and school closures listen to BBC Radio Cumbria and follow the council’s social media on Facebook and Twitter.
