Flood waters could return to areas of Britain that have already been devastated by Storm Desmond.
The Environment Agency had 17 flood warnings in place on Tuesday morning, two in the north-east, 12 in the north-west and three in Wales. These are one step below the severest category which warns of risk to life, but still indicate immediate action is required.
Cumbria, which bore the brunt of the weather earlier this month when a record 14in of rain fell, was again at the centre of concerns. The rivers Eden, Greta and Kent and their tributaries were brim-full and fields practically became lakes after another belt of heavy rain crossed the region.
This meant Appleby, Carlisle, Keswick and Kendal were on alert. About 6,000 families in those towns have already been made homeless by Storm Desmond, putting pressure on welfare organisations and housing stocks.
Many households have just finished cleaning up the mess caused by fouled river water on the weekend of 5 December. The same properties are under threat again. In Kendal, the EA has issued a flood warning for the river Kent at Burneside, Bournville, Bridge Street, Carling Dale, Ivy Crescent, New Road and New Street, where police closed a riverside car park.
River levels will remain high during Tuesday afternoon and will peak at approximately 2pm.
South Lakeland district council said there may be more issues from smaller water courses throughout the area and agencies told residents to remain vigilant and take care while travelling, as many roads in the district were already flooded.
Sandbags were available for collection from South Lakeland council depots at Canal Head, Kendal, and Ulverston, Ecclerigg, with a limited supply at Broad Street car park in Windermere. South of the town, the A6 was shut by floods at Levens. At Dockray Hall on the A593 near Sedbergh, flooding trapped vehicles.
In the Lake District national park, the A591, previously washed away near Grasmere, was affected by flooding on Tuesday at Ings, Troutbeck Bridge and Waterhead, Ambleside, making it impassable. At Appleby the flood siren went off in an area called the Sands, bordering the river Eden, mid-morning. At Keswick the flood barriers were shut but flooding was expected at the camping centre.
Strong winds also prompted warnings from Cumbria police, who said: “Vehicles, such as empty lorries or caravans, can be vulnerable in excessive winds and should avoid using the road.
“All motorists are reminded to drive according to the conditions and slow down whilst driving in high winds. Those drivers affected are encouraged to use alternative, less exposed routes until conditions subside.”
