Emergency rescues for flood victims

• News
• Published: 20 Nov 2009 in Household and Home Insurance

The emergency services have rescued scores of flood victims trapped in their homes by rising floodwaters following torrential downpours.

More than 200 people in Cumbria had to flee their homes after the region was ravaged by storms, staying in emergency evacuation centres while roads became blocked and schools were closed by the rain.

The towns of Cockermouth and Keswick are thought to be worst affected, with hundreds of properties flooded as water rises rapidly.

RAF helicopters airlifted at least 50 people from buildings in Cockermouth, where police said around 960 homes were at risk of flooding.

Dozens of others were helped to safety by the RNLI, the coastguard, police, fire and rescue and mountain rescue teams.

The Met Office said the village of Seathwaite in Cumbria recorded 6.8in (173mm) of rain in 24 hours. Another 5.9in (150mm) could fall on the Lake District's higher fells by midday on Friday.

Flooding was also reported in north-west Wales and in Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland. The Environment Agency had in place six severe flood warnings - all in Cumbria - 29 flood warnings, and 65 less serious flood watches.