HEAVY rain caused chaos on the roads and left vast areas deluged as water continued to fall across south Cumbria on Wednesday. 

The A590 between Lindal and Swarthmoor, near the junction for Lindal Moor, was among the worst stretches affected. 

As the natural dip in the carriageway filled with water, video footage showed motorists mounting the kerb to pass at slow speed, as traffic backed up in both directions. 

Photographs captured cars negotiating minor roads covered with rainwater, while landmarks such as Furness Abbey resembled a swimming pool, as standing water surrounded the ruins. 

With more rain forecast to fall into Tuesday night, Dowdales School in Dalton closed at 2.30pm to ensure all pupils and staff would get home safely. 

In South Lakeland, the Windermere ferry was out of service, and Rayrigg Road in Bowness was closed. 

Firefighters across the county have been tasked to incidents involving flooding. 

A crew from Barrow was called to the Railway Inn at Askam after water began to flood in from the cellar. 

Firefighters said the drainage system eventually cleared the water. 

More intervals of rain are forecast for Thursday, with heavy showers from 11am. And more showers and strong winds are predicted for Friday into Sunday. 

Still closed this evening:

Windermere Ferry

Rayrigg Road, Bowness 

C2008 Dearham to A594 

B6259 Warcop Bridge 

U3122 Mungrisedale.

- The Green/London Road at Lindal was partially blocked 

- Greystone Lane, Dalton, had areas of standing water. 

- Between Little Urswick and Long Lane there were areas of flooding.