Storm Jocelyn: Wednesday updates on flood alerts, roads and power

Cumbria is being hit by a second storm just days after Storm Isha battered the county.

People are being advised by police not to drive unless absolutely necessary.

A car is already stranded in floodwater in Kirkby Stephen and the A66 between Brough and Bowes is closed due to the high winds and is likely to remain so through rush hour.

Trees are down across the county, some roads have been reported as unpassable due to flooding and over 1,500 people are still without power.

Flood warnings and alerts are also in place.

Chief Superintendent Carl Patrick, of Cumbria Constabulary, is chairing the local resilience forum response to the weather events of recent days.

He said: “The two storms combined – and the preparations leading up to them – have been going on for a number of days now. But we must stress the advice we have been giving out with the aim of keeping people safe is still as relevant now as ever, especially with the arrival of the latest warnings.

“What we would especially emphasise at this time is the need for the public to remember the vulnerable people in their communities. The agencies involved in this are aware of the vulnerable but we would urge anyone who has vulnerable friends, family or neighbours just to take time to check they are OK – and ask if they need anything.

“A friendly enquiry at this stage could help them if they are struggling and would also offer reassurance at a time that can be frightening for some. Please also advise them about the storm and the advice about keeping safe and being careful.

“We would ask people not to travel unless necessary during the storm. On Sunday, during the last storm, the impact on our roads could be clearly felt.

“At Cumbria police we had nearly 120 reports of either road traffic collisions, highway disruptions or road-related offences – on an average day in January we get about 42. Our highways colleagues at both local councils also received more than 100 reports each as well.

“The weather is forecast to get progressively worse and stronger over the day and people should expect delays at the rush hour – and plan accordingly. Our advice would be: if you don’t have to travel, stay at home.

“The public can be reassured that our multi-agency response has been running for several days in preparation for this and all agencies continue to work together to protect our communities.

“We would just ask people to follow the advice, stay at home as much as possible and look after the vulnerable in your communities.”

Incidents and road closures

Cumberland Council have asked people driving today to be extra alert to standing water on the roads, lots of spray and the possibility of some branches and trees that may cause roads to be blocked.

Highways crews have increased resources across the area and have teams on standby ready to respond to expected disruptions.

People are encouraged to plan journeys, allow extra time, never drive through road closures and avoid driving through flood water.

The A66 is closed between Bowes and Brough is closed due to strong winds.
A592 north of Cooks House
Plumpton to Caltwaite (C1037)
Bolton Lane End Crossing to Kings Meaburn (C3057)
A592 between Kirkstone side and Stybarrow Crag
Meal Bank Road, Kendal (C5063)
Meal Bank, Kendal (U5301)
Helm Lane Road, Kendal (U5031)
Back lane council ground – B6385 to C5071 via Field End Crooklands
Great Musgrave to Kirkby Stephen (B6259)
Bob Lonning Road, Penrith
Urswick Road, Dalton
Thornynook Lane, Walney
Caldbeck Common area near the entrance to Bannest Hill – severe damage to the road
Little Corby to Newby East – closed due to flooding
Rickerby Park Carlisle – closed due to flooding
Carlisle Cemetery grounds continue to be closed today to the general public. This is due to multiple issues with trees in the cemetery.

Lune Ford footbridge near Tebay has also been closed due to suspected damage caused by a large tree washed up against the bridge during Storm Isha.

Westmorland and Furness Council have said the tree will be removed and the bridge inspected when water levels drop.

Power cuts

Electricity North West engineers are continuing to brave tough weather conditions to repair damage to the power network as Storm Jocelyn hits.

Teams are facing their third consecutive day where wind speeds have surpassed 60mph with a high recorded of over 80mph on Sunday. Despite heavy rain also making conditions difficult, engineers have restored power to 97% of customers impacted with the main impact in Cumbria.

Engineers have restored power to more than 78,000 properties after falling trees, debris and branches caused almost 200 separate sites of damage on the network.

Now with the second storm in the space of three days, teams are stepping up support for customers with thousands of proactive calls and teams on the ground knocking on the doors of customers in affected areas.

Electricity North West is also providing hot food and drinks in several areas across Cumbria for the 1,800 customers currently without power, about half of which lost power today due to new damage to the network.

Catering outlets providing free hot food and drinks are available at:

Stainton Village Hall, West of Penrith, CA11 0EP (Southwards Farm Shop) from 9:30am subject to traffic
Hutton End Village Hall, Hutton End Penrith CA11 9TT (Superior Catering) from 9:30am subject to traffic
The Lowther Arms Inn Mawbray near Maryport CA15 6QT – Serving hot food and drink (phone charging and hot shower also available) serving from noon

Areas affected

Arthuret, Carlisle – 12 properties – restoration time Wednesday 5pm
Aikton – 15 properties – restoration time Wednesday noon
Beaumont, Carlisle – 85 properties – 5pm
Beetham – 22 properties – under review/6 properties – under review
Bowness – 14 properties – restoration time Wednesday noon
Brougham – 36 properties – restoration time 5pm
Brough – 306 properties – 5pm
Cockermouth – 40 properties – restoration time Wednesday noon
Crosscannonby – 148 properties – 5pm
Denton Holme & Morton South, Carlisle – 18 properties – restoration time Wednesday 5pm
Egremont – 132 properties – restoration time Wednesday 5pm (plus 21 properties restoration time Wednesday 5pm)
Great Salkeld – 4 properties – restoration time Wednesday noon
Hesket – 5 properties – restoration time under review/57 properties noon
Holme St Cuthbert – 21 properties – restoration time Wednesday 4pm
Hunsonby, Eden – 14 properties – restoration time Wednesday 9pm/10 properties under review
Langwathby – 19 properties – restoration time Wednesday noon
Lakes, South Lakeland – 19 properties – restoration time 7.48am
Maryport – 13 properties – restoration time Wednesday 5pm.
Mungrisdale – 14 properties – restoration time Wednesday noon
Ravenstonedale – 8 properties – restoration time Wednesday 9pm
Skelton – 19 properties – restoration time Wednesday 5pm/ 15 properties – restoration time 5pm / 38 properties – restoration time under review/ 11 properties – restoration time 4pm
St John’s Castlerigg and Wythburn – 7 properties – Wednesday 9.50pm
Ulverston – 23 properties – restoration time 8.28pm/195 properties – restoration time Wednesday 5pm
Wigton – 319 properties – under review
Woodside – 43 properties restoration 5pm
Yanwath and Eamont Bridge – 7 properties – restoration time Wednesday noon

Public transport

TransPennine Express and Avanti West Coast train firms has warned people not to travel until at least noon today as high winds and heavy rainfall caused major disruption to services in and out of Scotland.