Clean-up efforts were underway Sunday in flood-hit towns following the heaviest downpours ever recorded in England, as fears mounted for a woman thought swept into a swollen river in Wales.
Some 314 millimetres (more than one foot) of rain fell in 24 hours — the highest level since records began — over Cumbria as torrential rains swept across Britain and Ireland.
The Environment Agency said 65 flood warnings were in force across England and Wales, with four severe warnings in Cumbria in northwest England, the area hardest hit.
About 60 people were still sheltering in reception centres and more than 700 properties remained without power.
An urgent safety review of Cumbria’s 1,800 bridges was under way with emergency services warning one bridge in the coastal town of Workington could collapse at any time.
The Calva Bridge’s closure cut off the north side of the town.
Workington’s other bridge has collapsed, taking the life of a policeman on Friday who was diverting motorists away from it.
“We have concerns about people who have not got prescriptions, medication, the medical centre is down to its last nappies for babies,” said Tony Cunningham, member of parliament for Workington.
“I spoke to residents…they are distraught at what’s happening. My major concern is residents who are cut off. Things are getting desperate.”
The floods in Cumbria and southern Scotland are expected to trigger insurance claims of 50 million to 100 million pounds (55-110 million euros, 82-165 million dollars), the Association of British Insurers said.
Meanwhile a search was underway for a woman believed to have been swept away by the swollen River Usk in Brecon, south Wales, late on Saturday.
“A member of public called the police when they saw what happened,” said Inspector Alun Samuel of Dyfed-Powys police.
“It is a very serious search with dog handlers, specialist units and helicopters,” he said.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown surveyed the grim aftermath on a visit Saturday to the badly hit Cumbria town of Cockermouth, with houses filled with muddy water, silt and sludge carpeting the roads and cars left awkwardly where the floods left them.
The floods forced hundreds of people out of their homes and left a police officer dead after the bridge on which he was standing was swept away.
Cockermouth town centre was cordoned off as surveyors, structural engineers, utility workers and Environment Agency staff continued work to start the clean-up.
Local businessman Paul Cusack said: “Today should have been the Christmas lights switch on in Cockermouth. The feeling is a mixture of devastation and determination, to get it all put right again, people in this area are very resilient.”
In Devon, southwest England, a canoeist died Saturday after being pulled from the River Dart, which was swollen by the heavy rains. The 46-year-old man became trapped against a tree, emergency services said.
With AFP, London Nov 22, 2009
