6.40pm Saturday September 30: MEMBERS of the Environment Agency and Met Office forecasters have been working closely to monitor any changes to the weather in Cumbria following flash flooding across the South and West of the county. Millom, Haverigg and Grizebeck are among some of the worst hit areas with a significant number of houses suffering flood damage.

A spokesman from the EA said: "Locally the Environment Agency are working with the police and Fire and Rescue Service to provide information on river levels and flood alerts. A flood alert has been issued for the rivers Kent and Bela at 12:42pm and flooding from surface water has been reported in the South of the county. A multi-agency team are responding to the situation and we are providing support for this response.

"We have teams of staff ready to respond throughout the weekend. We have been out checking defences, clearing river grids to make sure that rivers are running freely and working with partners to ensure we are all prepared should flooding occur."

A combined forecast has been issued for the next 24 hours. A dry evening (Saturday 30) is expected but but thickening cloud at the end of the night will bring some light rain and drizzle. A spell of more persistent rain will cross the county from late morning (October 1) clearing by the end of the afternoon.

This story will be updated throughout the day as more information is made available.

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5.45pm: COPELAND was not the only area which suffered due to the heavy rainfall. In South Cumbria roads were flooded as the drains and narrow roads could not cope with the sheer volume of rain which fell.

Pictures and video submitted from Grizebeck residents show just how quickly roads were overwhelmed with water.

See the moment residents frantically worked to stop water running into homes after a road turned into a river following torrential rainfall.

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4.30pm: DELUGED residents of Millom and West Cumbria could escape further flooding after a band of rain expected overnight has changed direction.

Heavy rain was anticipated to fall overnight contributing to the already serious situation in the area. Large parts of Haverigg and Millom were flooded as well as parts of the A595 and other roads in South Lakeland.

The rain band has now started to move away and lose intensity, heading South and away from Cumbria. Forecasters originally thought it would be travelling in a Nort-Easterly direction.

No further heavy rainfall is expected on Saturday evening (30) or Sunday morning (October 1).

A number of properties in Millom were affected by flooding. Partner agencies are still working to assess the extent of the damage.

Cumbria Police have said there are no reported casualties as a result of the flooding.

The situation in Windermere and surrounding areas is returning to normal with only a small number of properties believed to have been affected.

However, standing water still may be in place on some of the smaller country roads and police are urging caution when driving on wet or recently flooded roads.

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3.55pm: ROADS became rivers as motorists were forced to battle through extreme driving conditions across South and West Cumbria today.

Flash flooding has hit large part

s of the County, with multiple agencies called in to help residents who have been stranded or had their homes flooded.

Footage has emerged of drivers South of Windermere on the A591 having to drive on the pavement in order to avoid a large area of standing water.

Motorist Patsy Hutchinson recorded a video showing the staggering amount of water on the roads South of Windermere.

A driver in Haverigg, Kerry Swales, was forced to abandon her car in Main Street after flood waters continued to rise rapidly.

Locals in Millom have said everyone is pitching in to help during what is an incredibly difficult time.

Millom mayor councillor Angela Dixon was photographed by a resident in Surrey Street trying to clean the drains to help the water flow away.

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2.37pm: SANDBAGS are being made available to residents after flash flooding inundated homes in Copeland following hours of torrential rain.

A multi-agency group has been set up between local partners in response to flooding in Millom, Haverigg and Kirkby-in-Furness. Members of Cumbria Police, the County Council, Copeland Borough Council and the fire services are working to ensure the safety of residents and their homes.

As more heavy rain is forecast overnight (Saturday September 30) a hotline has been set up for locals to request sandbags in case of further flooding.

Telephone the emergency line on 0151 2956524 if you or your family needs sandbags.

Copeland flash flooding: How you can stay informed and stay safe.

Superintendent Mark Pannone, of Cumbria Constabulary, said: "We have been responding to calls for service this morning due to the rainfall and some properties in Millom have been flooded.

"There is some disruption on roads across the county. We ask that those driving stay clear of the closures in place and take care whilst travelling. If you do come across a flooded road, please do not attempt to travel through as you cannot be sure of the water’s depth."

The narrow band of heavy rain is expected to move on from the West of Cumbria by 2pm. It is moving is North-Easterly direction towards Windermere.

Heavy rain has already caused localised flooding in parts of South Cumbria. Stretches of the A591 and A592 were blocked due to standing water.

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1.30pm: FLASH flooding has put homes and people at risk across West and South Cumbria as emergency crews work to evacuate residents.

Torrential rain which has fallen since the early hours of this morning (Saturday September 30) has caused widespread flooding in Millom, Haverigg and Kirkby.

Barrow Fire Station manager Paul Milburn, who is on site, has said people should "stay away and keep off the roads" until the danger has passed.

He said: "There has been significant flooding in the area in Millom, Haverigg and Kirkby approaching the A595.

"It is widespread across the area with a significant number of properties that have been affected by flooding."

Four fire engines are in the area with support teams from Highways England and Cumbria County Council en route to help with the operation.

The safe and quick evacuation of elderly or vulnerable residents is at the moment the top priority.

Mr Milburn said that people in the area are safe for the time being but the weather was being closely monitored if another weather front carrying rain closes in.

Roads in South Cumbria have also been affected by the sudden downpours.

Due to a build-up of standing water, the A591 in Windermere is partially blocked both ways between Thwaites Lane and Bridge Lane, with congestion stretching as far as the Watermill Inn and to Holbeck Lane.

The A592 in Bowness is also suffering slow and heavy traffic in both directions, with the A5074 Crag Brow and Ash Street also affected both ways.

Mr Milburn urged motorists to avoid travelling to avoid any risk and to keep the roads clear for incoming rescue teams.

Residents in the area should try and keep safe, dry and warm. If at any point they feel they are in danger they should call 999 immediately.