The Met Office is warning of danger to life from fast-flowing or deep floodwater in parts of Cumbria as it issues an amber weather warning for rain.
The forecaster had previously issued a yellow weather warning for rain from Wednesday until the end of Friday, but the warning for today and tomorrow has now been upgraded to amber, the second most severe message.
What to expect:
- Homes and businesses flooded and damage to some buildings
- Danger to life from fast flowing or deep floodwater
- Delays or cancellations to train and bus services
- Spray and flooding leading to difficult driving conditions and some road closures
- Some communities cut off by flooded roads
- Power cuts and loss of other services to some homes and businesses
The warning states: “Persistent, heavy rain will continue through Wednesday, overnight and for much of Thursday. 100 to 150 mm rain is likely to accumulate quite widely through this period, with 200 to 250 mm falling over prone fells, mainly across the west of the warning area.
“Rain is likely to become more showery and less persistent, albeit still heavy at times, during Thursday night and perhaps Friday morning, with a separate yellow warning still in force at that time.”
The amber warning will remain in force until 11.59pm on Thursday.