FOR THE LATEST ON STORM DARRAGH ON SUNDAY, READ HERE
People are being urged to prepare for Storm Darragh hitting Cumbria.
Agencies across the county are issuing early advice and asking people to stay safe ahead of an amber weather warning for very strong winds, which has been issued for West Cumbria and comes into effect tomorrow, Saturday December 7.
Copeland police have dealt with a wall collapse at Bookwell Primary School in Egremont.
The road is now closed as it is not safe for traffic or pedestrians to access, Copeland Police said.
Roads
The A590 has reopened after a HGV jackknifed blocking both westbound lanes earlier this afternoon, closing the road.
The A6 is closed between Selside and Kendal Caravans due to a fallen tree. It will remain closed until tomorrow, Sunday, due to safety concerns.
Westmorland & Furness Council said its crews had assessed the fallen tree and determined the road is unsafe to reopen and will remain closed until tomorrow when work will be conducted during daylight hours.
The A66 has reopened between Brough & Scotch Corner, our colleagues at Cumbria Road Watch are reporting.
National Highways advises motorists – particularly those driving high-sided HGVs, motor homes and motorcycles, and those towing caravans and trailers – to check the weather and driving conditions before setting out on journeys.
Westmorland & Furness Council said its highways crews were on standby to respond to reports of fallen trees or debris on the roads and are working with other agencies to ensure communities can access continue to access services.
Our colleagues at Cumbria Road Watch said they were receiving reports from multiple sources that some roads across Cumbria are starting to suffer from flooding.
They say there are reports of a fallen tree on the B6413 between Brampton and Castle Carrock.
The following roads are also reported to have experienced flooding:
- A66 PENRITH – BOWES – closed/impassable
- A591 KESWICK – GRASMERE (DUNMAIL RAISE) – passable with care
- A593 CONISTON – SKELWITH – passable with care
- A592 NEWBY BRIDGE – WINDERMERE – passable with care
- A590 BARROW – KENDAL VARIOUS LOCATIONS – passable with care
- M6 KENDAL – PENRITH – passable with care
- A591 KENDAL – AMBLESIDE – passable with care
- B5286 CONISTON – HAWKSHEAD — passable with care
- B5285 – HAWKSHEAD – CLAPPERSGATE — passable with care
- A595 WORKINGTON – CARLISLE — passable with care
Kirkgate in Cockermouth is reported to have flooded.
Trains
Northern Rail services
Train services running across the whole Northern network may be cancelled, delayed by up to 60 minutes or suspended. Disruption is expected until 2pm tomorrow, Sunday December 8. All Northern advanced ticket restrictions have been lifted.
Customers who have been impacted by delays or cancellations may use their ticket on board any alternative Northern service via any reasonable route to complete their journey.
Northern tickets may also be used at no additional cost on board any TransPennine Express service, providing that your original train has been cancelled and no alternative Northern service is available within 60 minutes of the cancellation.
Train operators Avanti and TransPennine Express are asking passengers to check before they travel as the storm is likely to impact services.
Buses
Stagecoach’s Kendal depot says there are no planned diversions or cancellations today but has advised people to only travel if they really need to.
Carlisle depot reporting no issues
Windermere Ferry has also been cancelled.
Power cuts
Electricity North West is reporting power cuts at:
- Windermere, 32 properties – preparing to send team – estimated time of restoration 12.15am
- Preston Patrick, South Lakeland, 10 properties – team on way – estimated time of restoration 9.26pm
A multi-agency response is being prepared and Cumbria Local Resilience Forum has met to ensure any response is coordinated so communities can access any help and support they need.
Spells of moderate rain will add to challenging travel conditions and could pose a flood risk.
At this stage, people are being asked to:
- Speak in advance to vulnerable relatives, friends and neighbours – advise them and ensure they are prepared in case of power outages.
- Check your torch batteries, radio and try to ensure phones are charged up in advance of the affected times.
- Park vehicles in a garage if available – otherwise keep them clear of buildings, trees, walls and fences if possible.
- Be aware of the weather warning and avoid planning travel during this time if possible.
- If you must travel during this time do so with caution – pack your car with essentials, plan your route and listen to travel updates.
- Stay clear of coastal areas during the affected times.
- Stay away from the fells well in advance of the affected times to keep you and mountain rescue volunteers safe.
- Do not drive through flood water if coming across flooding – take an alternative route.
- Do not touch any telephone or electrical cables that may have blown down.
Superintendent Matt Pearman said: “At this stage we would ask people to prepare and follow the advice being given to minimise the impact of this storm.
“The public can be reassured that all agencies are working together to ensure our communities have access to the help and support they may need.
“But we would ask them to make themselves aware of the key contacts and ensure any vulnerable people within our communities are also aware and prepared.”
To report any issues – or if you need help for yourself or someone vulnerable – use the links below.
- Electricity North West can be contacted on 105 for power cuts, but please only call if your query is urgent to help prioritise customers in the most vulnerable circumstances. For more information, please visit www.enwl.co.uk
- For water supply issues contact United Utilities on 0345 672 3723
- Problems with the roads in Cumberland can be reported to Cumberland Council via the council’s website https://orlo.uk/N3KWM or, in an emergency, on the Highway’s Hotline on 0300 373 3736
- Westmorland and Furness, report highways emergencies that require immediate attention such as a fallen tree or flooding to the authority’s Highways Hotline on 0300 373 3306. For less serious issues, complete the highways online reporting form found at westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
- Contact https://orlo.uk/FJnQT or call 101 if you have concerns about your own safety and well-being, or the safety and well-being of someone you know. If there is an immediate risk to life call 999
Flood alerts and warnings
Further rain is expected throughout the day today, with some locally heavy showers, especially over Cumbria Highland.
With recent wet weather the ground is saturated, and smaller watercourses remain high, these are likely to respond quickly to further rainfall. Larger watercourses and lakes are expected to continue to rise and remain high through today.
Flood warning
Meaning flooding is expected, act now
Keswick Campsite
Lake levels are expected to remain high overnight.
Areas most at risk include low lying areas bordering the shores of Derwentwater and the frontage of the Keswick Camping and Caravan Club Site.
Flooding is expected throughout the night as lake levels are expected to remain high due to Storm Darragh.
Flood alerts
Further rain is expected overnight, with some locally heavy showers, especially over Cumbria highland. With recent wet weather the ground is saturated, and smaller watercourses remain high, and may respond to any further rainfall.
Larger watercourses and lakes are expected to remain high through the night.
Flood alerts – meaning flooding is possible – are currently in place for:
Lower River Eden
Flooding is forecast to affect locations near the Lower River Eden, with low lying land and roads expected to be most affected, particularly around River Eden and its tributaries from its confluence with the River Irthing through Crosby-on-Eden and Carlisle to the Solway Firth at Rockcliffe.
Upper River Derwent, Stonethwaite Beck and Derwentwater
Flooding is forecast to affect locations near the Upper River Derwent, Stonethwaite Beck and Derwentwater, with low lying land and roads expected to be most affected, particularly around the Upper Derwent from Seathwaite to Derwentwater.
Rivers Duddon, Crake and Mill Beck
Areas most at risk include Rivers Duddon, Crake and Mill Beck and other watercourses, from Coniston to Barrow-in-Furness including low lying areas around Ulpha, Duddon Bridge, Broughton in Furness, Kirkby-in-Furness, Dalton in Furness and Ulverston.
Rivers Brathay, Rothay and Winster
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.
Weather warnings
An amber weather warning for wind is in place for today until 9pm. A period of very strong northerly or north westerly winds is likely to develop during Saturday as Storm Darragh moves from west to east.
Gusts of 70mph to 80mph are likely around exposed coasts and headlands, where some very large waves are likely, whilst gusts of 60mph to 70mph are likely inland. The strongest winds will ease from the west through the afternoon.
A yellow warning for wind remains in effect until 6am tomorrow, Sunday.
What should I expect?
- Damage to buildings and homes is possible, with roofs blown off and power lines brought down
- Roads, bridges and railway lines may close, with delays and cancellations to bus, train, ferry services and flights
- Power cuts could occur and affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage
- Flying debris and falling trees could result in a danger to life
- There is potential for large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties
Events/other
Whinlatter Forest is closed today for safety reasons. Cyclewise, Go Ape Whinlatter and Cafe Ambio are also closed, as are Christmas tree sales. It is hoped the forest will reopen tomorrow once the team have checked the trails.
The Beacon in Whitehaven – and Howling Wolf cafe – are closed in Whitehaven due to high winds on the harbour.
Keswick Market is cancelled.
Organisers of Taste Cumbria in Cockermouth cancelled the weekend event earlier this week.
Carlisle United’s game at Newport County has been postponed.
Barrow AFC’s match has been postponed.
In rugby union the Regional 1 North West match is off between Penrith and bottom side Birkenhead Park.
All West Cumbria Youth League games, whether inside or outside, have been postponed.
Workington Reds’ clash with Blyth Spartans at Borough Park has been postponed. It will now be rearranged on a new date.
Carlisle City’s big FA Vase tie at Crook Town was also called-off following a morning inspection after heavy overnight rain. The pitch was waterlogged.
In the Northern League both Cumbrian clubs had their games called off after morning inspections – Penrith v West Auckland and Kendal Town v Newcastle Blue Star.
It was a similar story in the North West Counties League where Holker Old Boys were due to visit Ashton Athletic but the game was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.
In the West Lancashire League Cleator Moor Celtic’s Richardson Cup game at Fulwood Amateur was also postponed.
Ulverston’s Light up a Light service has been cancelled due to Storm Darragh.
Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway has cancelled all of the pre-booked Santa trains scheduled today. Ticket holders have been notified.
Update for all pre-booked Santa Train ticket holders on Sunday:
A full track inspection cannot be completed this afternoon. Plans are in place to run the usual line clearance/track inspection train at around 8.10am tomorrow. If there is no blockage or damage to the line, all Santa trains will run as scheduled tomorrow.
If there is damage/blockage to the line, the operations team will have to make a decision for each departure timeslot throughout the day, it said but will not be able to give an answer to pre warn customers booked on the 10am train. Operations will decide if it is feasible to run this train by 9.30am when families will be there
In order to prevent families from any unnecessary travel for the remainder of the day, these are the time limits for decisions about whether the other four trains will run. Decision about the feasibility to run the 11.40am train will be made by 9.30am; decision about 1.20pm train will be made by 10.30am; and the decision about the trains at 3pm and 4.20pm will be made by noon.
People are asked not to call the office.
Barrow’s Santa Express train has been postponed today. It will hopefully run tomorrow from 10am to 4pm and Monday from noon to 4pm.
Workington’s Christmas tree outside the town hall is down – it is not damaged but the decision has been made to leave it down until the storm passes.
