STORM Desmond swept across Cumbria on Saturday leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.

This was the situation yesterday:

  • A major incident has been declared after severe weather conditions batter the county.
  • The Furness peninsula has been cut off due to road closures on A590 and A592.
  • South Lakeland District Council is appealing for bedding as several hundred people face a night away from home.
  • David Cameron has tweeted his support to flood victims.
  • A flood recovery appeal has been launched to support flood victims.
  • Power supply has been cut off in places across the county.
  • Cumbrian residents are being evacuated and told to seek shelter. 
  • Many of Cumbria’s roads remain blocked or impassable due to flooding and widespread surface water and most trains have been cancelled.
  • Emergency services are pushed to the limit. 
  • Reception centres set up in Windermere and Kendal.
    Traffic 

CHAOS is rife on the roads of Cumbria after Storm Desmond rains down over the county.

Drivers across the county are facing long delays and treacherous conditions as floods take over our highways.

Here is a list of the main danger spots:

  • M6 J38 is just passable due to flooding. 
  • M6 J39 on the B6261 at Shap - one lane closed due to an overturned vehicle.
  • A590 at Lindal is just passing due to flooding. Expect delays. 
  • A590 is now closed in both directions between Levens and Meathop.
  • A591 closed due to flooding. 
  • A5284 at Garth Brow is closed due to flooding. 
  • A5095 Borrans Road is flooded. 
  • B5287 blocked due to flooding.
  • B5360 is near Bowness is closed due to flooding Helme Lane and Paddy Lane near Kendal are closed due to flooding. 
  • Askam and Ireleth and Duddon Bridge are just passable but getting deeper.
  • Moderate flooding in Kiln Lane and Hard Knotts Lane near Leece.
  • Roads throughout the Kendal area are closed.

Motorists are advised not to travel unless absolutely necessary as it would pose a major risk to personal safety and the safety of other members of the public.

Travel

RAIL services throughout the county have also been disrupted.

Trains are unable to run between: 

  • Ulverston and Barrow Preston and Carlisle All West Coast main line services have been cancelled north of Preston. 
  • Maryport to Carlisle Oxenholme Lake District and Windermere Carlisle and Workington.
  • Northern Rail has advised that no trains will be running tomorrow (Sunday) and that Monday morning services remain an "important factor".
    Buses:
  • Number 6 bus is terminating at Newby Bridge due to flooding on A592.

Power

MORE than 1,000 people in Ambleside are without power after stormy weather shuts down electricity supply. 

There are more than 40 separate faults on the network caused by the bad weather, with new faults still being identified. 

Around 1,500 customers are without power in areas including Ambleside, Carnforth and Kirkby Stephen. 

Engineers from Electricity North West are now working hard in difficult conditions to repair the damage caused by the gales and heavy rain and restore power supplies as quickly as possible.

Electricity North West Systems Manager, Chris Fox, said “We're continuing to work hard to restore supplies to as many people as we can as quickly as possible.

“Our engineers are working in extremely difficult conditions making it difficult to climb and in some areas difficult to get to the fault to repair the damage due to access issues.

“We have drafted in extra engineers and will continue to work throughout the day to get everyone back on and we are here 24 hours day seven days a week so please contact us if you need any advice or information.”

Severe winds can sometimes cause damage to the power network, if you have a power cut or if you notice any power lines down please stay away and contact Electricity North West on 0800 195 4141, www.electricitynorthwest.co.ukor follow @ElectricityNW for live updates. Should your property be affected by a flood please be extremely careful and do not touch any electrical equipment or power cables.

Across Cumbria

RESIDENTS in Keswick, Appleby and Kendal are being told to evacuate their homes and seek shelter at a local primary school.

Residents in High Hill Road, Elliot Road, and Crossthwaite road are being advised to evacuate and attend the local reception centre at St Herbert’s School in Keswick.

  • New flood alerts issued in Carlisle .
  • Evacuation notices just issued for residents in Cockermouth. 
  • Main Street Flood defences in Keswick overtopped, some homes in Penrith Road evacuated.
  • A5086 at Cockermouth roundabout closed due to flooding 
  • Over 1,400 homes in Appleby without power.
  • Warnings against all but essential travel issued.
  • River level on the Eden at the Sheepmount at Carlisle 5.097m and rising rapidly, but below 2005 peak of 7.23m.
  • Environment Agency has 15 severe flood warnings in force.
  • A number of severe flood warnings are in place for Carlisle where water levels are set to peak at noon tomorrow. A reception centre is on standby to open in the morning.

Emergency services

POLICE have declared the severe weather conditions battering Cumbria a major incident.

A spokesman from Barrow police said: "Do not travel unless you really have to, you can put your own and other lives at risk. We have never known anything like it."

Members of the public are being urged to respect road closed signs, to drive with caution on all roads and not to walk or drive through any flood water of which they cannot judge the depth.

Andy Towler, chair of the strategic coordinating group, temporary assistant chief constable, said: “Due to the current weather conditions being experienced across Cumbria, the emergency services are experiencing a high number of flooding related calls.

"These include a number of rescues of people from vehicles stuck in flood water.

"Apart from the obvious risk to members of the public, the abandoned vehicles are then causing considerable problems for emergency services when travelling around the county.”

Fire

FIRE crews from Penrith, Kendal and Shap were called to a report of a car stuck in flood water on the B5305 Hutton in the Forest.

When they arrived crews found that there were three people sat on the roof of the car.

Crews were also called to help pump water from two properties that had been flooded on Birkbeck Gardens in Kirkby Stephen.

NHS

PEOPLE are being warned that health centres are becoming difficult to reach. 

University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust is warning that Furness General Hospital and Westmorland General Hospital are hard to reach. 

Medical staff are struggling to get into work and hospitals are appealing for doctors and nurses who are not on duty to lend a hand.

Cumbria's health services are under pressure as roads across the county remain closed.

Out of hours doctors are struggling to make journeys and NHS officials are asking members of the public to help by checking on vulnerable family members, friends and neighbours.

A spokesperson from the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) said: “NWAS has been operating under extremely challenging circumstances this evening with severe floods in Cumbria and Lancashire preventing access to many parts of the counties.

“Despite there being no casualties reported as a direct result of the floods, the Trust declared a major incident just after 5pm. 

“We are working closely with our colleagues in the NHS, Cumbria Police, Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service and other agencies to assist local communities as best we can.

“We would ask the public to only call 999 in cases of life-threatening or potentially life-threatening emergencies as it is important that we keep ambulances free for those in urgent need. 

"Because of the road closures, many people will experience delays in an ambulance reaching them. 

"If you have called 999, we will be with you as soon as we can unless we have advised you of any other alternatives."

Copeland Borough Council 

A STATEMENT from Copeland Borough Council says: “Please don’t drive unless absolutely necessary - Due to weather conditions, the emergency services are getting a lot of flooding related calls.

“These include rescues of people from cars stuck in flood water. Apart from the obvious risk to members of the public, the abandoned vehicles are then causing considerable problems for emergency services when travelling around the county.

“You are urged not to make any non-essential journeys over the weekend.”

Messages of support

PRIME minist er David Cameron tweeted: "My thoughts are with those affected by Storm Desmond. Teams are working to ensure a swift response and help for those who need it."

Jamie Reed, MP for Copeland,   said: "In times of difficulty, few communities pull together as well as ours. We face the challenge now, and I urge everyone to keeps look out for vulnerable neighbours, friends and families. 

"But when this passes, and we begin the work of recovery again, we have to secure the resources from government to make our community and our infrastructure much more resilient.

"Our public services and local volunteers are doing a wonderful job, but we need to plan better, spend more and do all we can to deal with what is more and more looking like not simply a series of blips but a changing climate."

John Woodcock, Barrow and Furness MP, said: "My thoughts are with everyone battling the storm at this distressing time - from emergency workers helping others to residents trying to secure their own property.

"It is essential the county pulls together now to deal with the immediate crisis and for the difficult aftermath dealing with the damage. 

"The fact that Furness has been cut off by flooding of the A590 and A592 highlights how important it is that we keep essential public services like a full maternity unit and accident and emergency here."

Rt Reverend, James Newcombe, Bishop of Carlisle, said:  “The last 24 hours have seen unprecedented weather conditions which have brought hardship to many living in Cumbria due to flooding.

“I live in Keswick so have seen for myself the terrible problems that this storm has created and fully sympathise with those affected.

“We must continue to pray for all these people and for all the emergency service personnel and volunteers who are working so hard to ensure people are safe and that properties are protected as much as they can be."

Flood Recovery Appeal

CUMBRIA Community Foundation has launched an appeal to help victims of Storm Desmond. 

It has kick-started its £1m appeal with a donation of £50,000 and is asking people to give generously.

Andy Beeforth, chief executive of Cumbria Community Foundation, said: “We are still in the eye of the storm, but we know that it appears the flooding is worse than in 2009 in some areas of the county. People will need financial help to rebuild and we want to have the means to do that.”

Appeal for bedding

SOUTH Lakeland District Council is appealing for bedding as several hundred people face a night away from home.

A spokesman for SLDC said: "It is clear that these people will be spending the night in the reception centres and we want to try to make that as comfortable for them as possible. 

"We have already seen some wonderful community spirit with people offering help and donating goods including food, and we have been hugely grateful for that support. 

"Now we are particularly in need of bedding and/or pillows and blankets, and any help with that would be fantastic. We should stress that we are only asking people to donate if they can get to the town hall or leisure centre safely. 

"Road conditions are treacherous in many areas and the flooding in Kendal is extensive, so please do not attempt to drive or venture out unless you are certain you can do so safely."