A flood warning and 18 flood alerts are in place across Cumbria this morning as Storm Gareth continues to hit.

Surface water is also causing problems, and motorists are warned to take extra care.

One lane is closed due to flooding on the M6 southbound. 

The lane is shut from Junction 33, A6 Preston Lancaster Road, Lancaster South, to Junction 32, M55, Broughton Interchange. There are some traffic delays in the area. 

It comes after a night of wet and windy weather across the county.

The Met Office has issued a heavy rain warning, covering Cumbria, which runs until lunchtime today.

There were reports of trees coming down in Copeland overnight, and standing water causing hazardous driving conditions.

Storm Gareth is also bringing strong winds across from Ireland, continuing throughout today and tomorrow.

Gusts of up to 70mph could hit coastal areas, it warns.

The Environment Agency began issuing flood alerts as river levels rose yesterday.

There are now a total of 19 areas at risk.

The worst affected is Keswick Campsite, next to Derwentwater.

A flood warning, meaning flooding is likely, is in force here.

A further 18 river catchments are on flood alert, meaning flooding is possible.

They are:

Rivers Brathay, Rothay and Winster

Here the Environment Agency says: "River levels are high but steady at the Far Sawrey river gauge as a result of persistent heavy rainfall. Consequently, the risk of flooding remains at low lying land and roads in the Langdale, Grasmere, Ambleside, Troutbeck, Windermere, Hawkshead, Rusland Valley, Newby Bridge, Backbarrow, Cartmel, Cark and Winster Valley areas.

"High river and lake levels are possible on Great Langdale Beck, River Brathay, River Rothay, Trout Beck, Mill Beck, Cunsey Beck, Windermere Lake, Rusland Pool, River Eea, River Winster and their tributaries.

"Most of the forecast rain is expected to clear by 8am on Tuesday March 12. We expect river and lake levels to remain high throughout the day."

Rivers Duddon, Crake and Mill Beck

Here the EA says: "Low-lying land and roads in the Dunnerdale, Duddon Bridge, Broughton-in-Furness, Kirkby-in-Furness, Soutergate, Coniston, Ulverston, Dalton-in-Furness and Barrow-in-Furness areas may be affected. High river and lake levels are possible on the River Duddon, Kirkby Pool, Soutergate Beck, Church Beck, Yewdale Beck, Coniston Water, River Crake, Town Beck, Dragley Beck, Poaka Beck, Mill Beck and their tributaries."

Rivers Kent and Bela

Here the EA says: "River levels have risen at the Mint Bridge, Victoria Bridge and Sedgwick river gauges as a result of persistent heavy rainfall. Consequently, flooding of roads and farmland is possible today.

"Low-lying land and roads in the Staveley, Ings, Burneside, Kendal, Garnett Bridge, Stainton, Sedgwick, Holme, Beetham and Milnthorpe areas may be affected. High river levels are possible on the Rivers Kent, Gowan, Sprint, Mint, Stock Beck, Stainton Beck, Peasey Beck, Farleton Beck, River Bela, Holme Beck and their tributaries."

Upper River Eden

Upper River Lune

Rivers Caldew and Petteril

Rivers Cocker, Marron and Derwent

Rivers Esk and Irthing

Rivers Greta, St Johns Beck and Bassenthwaite Lake

Rivers Lowther and Eamont

River South Tyne

Rivers Wampool and Ellen

Upper River Aire

Upper River Derwent, Stonethwaite Beck and Derwent Water

Upper River Ribble, Hodder

Upper River Tees

Upper River Wyre, Brock

River North Tyne