Storm Bert has arrived in Cumbria for the weekend and here’s what you need to know.
Here’s the update for today, Sunday November 24.
Power cuts
Power cuts in Cumbria have been resolved.
Call 105 to report a power outage.
Flood alerts and warnings
Flood warnings, meaning flooding is expected, have been issued for:
River Eden at Carlisle, Rickerby Park, Swifts and Stoneyholme Golf Courses
River levels are rising due to snow melt and rain from Storm Bert overnight. River levels are likely to remain high into the afternoon 24/11/24. Flooding of low lying land and roads is possible. Weather conditions are expected to improve with Sunday afternoon looking dry.
Flooding is forecast to affect locations near the River Eden, with low lying land and roads expected to be most affected, particularly around low lying roads, car parks, public spaces and recreational facilities at Rickerby Park, Swifts and Stoneyholme Golf Courses.
Take care and avoid walking, cycling or driving through flood water.
River Eden at Low Crosby, Warwick Holmes
River levels are rising due to snow melt and rain from Storm Bert overnight. River levels are likely to remain high into the afternoon 24/11/24. Flooding of low lying land and roads is possible. Weather conditions are expected to improve with Sunday afternoon looking dry.
Flooding is forecast to affect locations near the River Eden, with low lying land and roads expected to be most affected, particularly around farms and residential properties in the Warwick Holmes area.
Flood alerts, meaning flooding is possible have been issued for:
Lower River Eden
River levels are rising due to snow melt and rain from Storm Bert overnight. River levels are likely to remain high into the afternoon 24/11/24. Flooding of low lying land and roads is possible. Weather conditions are expected to improve with Sunday afternoon looking dry.
Areas most at risk include River Eden and its tributaries from its confluence with the River Irthing through Crosby-on-Eden and Carlisle to the Solway Firth at Rockcliffe.
The situation is being monitored and debris cleared from weed screens. Take care and avoid walking, cycling or driving through flood water.
Upper River Derwent, Stonethwaite Beck and Derwentwater
River and lake levels are rising due to snow melt and rain from Storm Bert overnight. River levels are likely to remain high into the afternoon 24/11/24. Flooding of low lying land and roads is possible. Weather conditions are expected to improve with Sunday afternoon looking dry.
Flooding is forecast to affect locations near the Upper River Derwent, Stonethwaite Beck and Derwent Water, with low lying land and roads expected to be most affected, particularly around The Upper Derwent from Seathwaite to Derwent Water.
Upper River Eden
Flooding of roads and low lying land is possible, property flooding is not expected.
The River Eden has risen due to the rainfall on Saturday, with further rainfall expected overnight, into the early hours on Sunday
Flooding is likely to affect locations near the Upper River Eden, with low lying land and roads expected to be most affected, particularly around River Eden and other watercourses, from Kirkby Stephen to Temple Sowerby including low lying areas around Brough, Warcop, Great Ormside and Appleby.
Avoid using low lying footpaths near watercourses.
Rivers Brathay, Rothay and Winster
River and lake levels are rising due to snow melt and rain from Storm Bert overnight. River levels are likely to remain high into the afternoon 24/11/24. Flooding of low lying land and roads is possible. Weather conditions are expected to improve with Sunday afternoon looking dry.
Areas most at risk include Rivers Brathay, Rothay and Winster and other watercourses, from Grasmere to Grange-over-Sands including low lying areas around Ambleside, Skelwith Bridge, Windermere, Hawkshead, Newby Bridge, Backbarrow, Cark and Cartmel.
Rivers Duddon, Crake and Mill Beck
Flooding is forecast to affect locations near the rivers Duddon, Crake and Mill Beck in South Cumbria. Low lying land and roads expected to be most affected from Coniston to Barrow, including low lying areas around Ulpha, Duddon Bridge, Broughton in Furness, Kirkby-in-Furness, Dalton-in-Furness and Ulverston.
The area is being checked and debris screens are being cleaned.
People are urged to avoid using low lying footpaths near watercourses.
Upper River Lune
Heavy rain during Saturday 23/11/2024 may lead to flooding.
Flooding is possible from 4pm on 23/11/2024 as river levels are forecast to rise due to Storm Bert.
Flooding is forecast to affect locations near the River Lune.
Flood alert area: River Lune, Rawthey, Dee and other watercourses from Tebay to Kirkby Lonsdale including Sedbergh and Killington.
Roads
The A66 is closed to high sided and vulnerable vehicles in both directions between Scotch Corner and the M6 in Cumbria due to strong winds. Road users travelling across the Pennines are advised to plan ahead and consider alternate routes such as the A69.
National Highways is reporting heavy traffic on the A596, A595, A6 and A65.
Drivers are warned to be aware of standing water as snow starts to melt.
Flooded roads
Drivers were asked yesterday to avoid the A591 and A592 as the roads are flooded.
Westmorland & Furness Council said its teams were working hard to clear the water and keep drivers safe but driving conditions were challenging, it said.
Following persistent heavy rainfall, gulleys on the A591 and A592 are at capacity and there are areas of flooding on both roads.
People are asked to avoid the routes and the general area.
There are large amounts of surface water between Troutbeck Bridge and Ambleside.
Westmorland & Furness said highways crews were continuing to grit priority one and priority two roads – you can find out more about the hierarchy of roads here
- If you live on a road that we do not grit, find you nearest grit bin or heap in case you get into difficulty
- Check your car tyres and stock up on wind screen wash
- Pack an ’emergency bag’ in your boot which includes a torch, shovel, a hi-vis jacket and spare change of warm clothes
- Drive to the road conditions in front of you and do not attempt to drive through standing flood water.
If you live in the Westmorland and Furness area, you can find your nearest grit bin or heap here
Public transport
Buses
Stagecoach’s Kendal depot says all its services are running, although there may be delays. No updates yet from other depots.
Trains
TransPennine Express and Avanti West Coast are still advising passengers not to travel, although no disruptions have been announced.
Northern said the Barrow to Carlisle and Carlisle to Newcastle were running as normal.
Trains between Lancaster and Barrow are cancelled until the end of the day due to heavy flooding in the Ulverston area. People are advised not to travel. No road transport will be provided.
Train services between Skipton and Carlisle are currently being disrupted due to flooding in the Hellifield area. Services between Leeds and Carlisle will have to run at a reduced speed through the affected area, until further notice.
Storm Bert weather warnings
The weather warning for Storm Bert in Cumbria has been removed.
Events and others
Carlisle’s Devonshire Street Christmas party – due to take place today, Sunday November 24 – has been cancelled by Cumberland Council due to Storm Bert. The authority said it had been postponed due to predicted high winds.
All Cumberland County League football matches were called off.
Kirkby Stephen Library and Appleby Library closed yesterday and Penrith Library closed early yesterday afternoon.
