Flash flooding hit a Lake District valley yesterday – halting motorists, killing dozens of sheep and seeing river levels rise with nearly four inches of rain in places.
Torrential downpours across the Borrowdale Valley starting in the morning and getting heavier throughout Friday afternoon saw the level of Derwentwater breach its banks in places, with Derwent Beck also rising rapidly.
It left fields flooded and low-lying sections of the B5289 road on the Keswick side under several feet of water – leading to motorists having to be towed out by 4x4s with reports on social media of farmers losing dozens of animals.
Statistics show that river levels across the area soared from the normal range of 1.4 metres to 1.62 metres in places. Keswick was also recorded by the Met Office as the wettest place in the North West on Friday with 1.4 inches (37.8mm) of rain.
But rain gauges at Seathwaite Farm, recorded 3.9 inches of rain over a 24-hour period (101mm) and 3.7 inches (95.8mm) at nearby Honister.
On Wednesday, the Met Office warned of a “wet and windy” end to the week with strong winds and heavy rain although there was no specific rain warning issued for the North West of England in place for Friday.
A flood alert from the Environment Agency – meaning people should be prepared – remains in place today for an area covering the Upper River Derwent, Stonethwaite Beck and Derwentwater.
It said river and lake levels remain high with the lake level forecast to remain above the ‘flood alert’ threshold until midday on Sunday.
“Flooding could affect locations near the Upper River Derwent, Stonethwaite Beck and Derwent Water, with low lying land expected to be most affected, particularly around The Upper Derwent from Seathwaite to Derwentwater,’ it said.
“River and lake levels are forecast to begin falling, but the risk of flooding to low-lying land remains. We are clearing debris from weed screens in the area and will continue to monitor levels closely. Avoid using low lying footpaths and any bridges near local watercourses and do not attempt to walk or drive through flood water,” the alert said.
The flooding occurred during Great Big Green Week celebrating efforts to tackle climate change.
