Flood warning after heavy rainfall

08/09/11

By Richard Cranidge

Householders and businesses around Derwent Water in Cumbria have been warned of potential flooding after strong winds and heavy rain hit the area.

The Environment Agency issued flood alerts as winds reached up to 50mph in parts of the North West and heavy rain continued to fall during Wednesday.

The conditions were not as bad as those on Tuesday, when a severe storm from the Atlantic battered the region, but no-one was left in any doubt that summer was quickly turning into autumn.

The Met Office said winds are expected to die down further on Thursday but there could be further showers, and with water levels high in rivers and lakes it is feared there could be flooding in some areas.

Most parts of the country have been affected by strong winds and driving rain, leaving hopes of an Indian summer in tatters.