Last updated 11:32, Friday, 10 October 2008

Heavy overnight rain caused flooding across west Cumbria as fire-fighters worked through the night to protect roads and homes.

Whitehaven RL's Recreation Ground this morning

• Photos: images of the floods

Environment Agency chiefs say that some areas of Egremont were among the worst affected, several homes were swamped during the night in Whitehaven and at Dearham, near Maryport.

Several residents had to flee from their homes as the rainwater poured into homes, leaving a trail of misery.

Whitehaven Recreation Rugby League Ground was transformed overnight into a small lake as the pitch disappeared under a couple of feet of murky flood water.

In Egremont, the worst affected areas were Bleach Green, Wood Bank, Ennerdale Mill, Springfield Road, and the Vale View, all areas hit hard by unusually heavy localised overnight downpours.

Some of today's flooding was caused by blocked drains, say police.

One of the most dramatic incidents happened on a stretch of the A592 road at Hole Hird near to Windermere, where a man had to clamber on to the roof of his van to escape.

Police were called at 7am after another motorist saw the man stranded as water rose to above his van's dashboard.

"He became stranded about 10 metres into an area of flooding and as the waters started rising he climbed out of his van and on to its roof. Fortunately, the waters subsided.

"The road is now open again.

"The flood was caused by a combination of the heavy downpour and leaves blocking drains, which have now been unblocked," said a force spokesman.

Geraldine Brown, landlady at the Commercial Inn, in Dearham, said that it was the second time in a week their property had flooded. The first was on Saturday.

She said: “We always get it bad. The cellars always flood, but the beer cellar was okay this time.

“The trouble is it comes through the walls in the cellars. We have no control over it – we just have to hope and pray. The fire service were here for about three hours this morning pumping the water out. It was a couple of feet deep.

“There were three houses opposite us and two bungalows flooded too. We have been here 18 year and this happens every year.”

Fire crews from Whitehaven, Egremont, Workington and Maryport were out in full force this morning.

Two properties flooded on Low Road, Whitehaven at 3.30am, while Mill Cottage, at Egremont had flooded at 3.30am.

Whitehaven Watch manager Will Richardson said: “We had to pump the water out and divert it using sand bags. They were still clearing it this morning. At Shore Farm, Bigrigg the culvert was overcome.

“It had overflowed because of the speed of the rain water flowing in. It was horrendous.”

Traffic was queued up outside Netherhall Rugby Club this morning.

Workington and Maryport crews had to divert water along Ellenborough, Maryport at about 3.40am using dumpy bags, and at properties in Dearham at 3.45am.

Watch manager Paul Dean said: “Everything was water-logged. The drains were not performing well. Leaves were blocking the drains and couldn’t cope.

“We put sandbags in front of six pensioner flats before the water reached the porch, preventing it going on.”

River levels across west Cumbria remained high this morning, and Environment Agency officials say flooding is expected along stretches of the Ehen in Egremont and at Keswick Campsite, next to rain-swollen Derwent Water.

Insp Nigel Park, of Cumbria Police said people travelling to work at Sellafield today should allow extra time for their journey, adding: “Maryport is particularly badly affected. I would ask motorists to drive carefully and beware of standing water.

“Hopefully we have got enough signs out warning people and we are urging them to keep speed to a minimum.”
Motorists were today urged to avoid the worst affected roads:

The A596 in Maryport at Netherhall corner and Birkby.

•  Scaw Rd in Harrington.
•  Parts of the A5086 between Cockermouth and Egremont, particularly north of the bridge at Parkside Rd.
•  Coach Rd in Whitehaven.
•  St Bees Rd in Egremont.
•  Parts of the Gosforth to Seascale Road.
•  The A591 at Thirlmere.

Several other roads were this morning closed. They were listed as:

•  The road that travels under the railway bridge in Seaton. Diversions are in place.
•  The A592 at Hole Hird in Windermere – closed after two vehicles got stuck in flood water and one driver was rescued from the roof of his vehicle. The Environment Agency are at the scene and the road is expected to open again shortly. Diversions are in place.

Fire crews are still working in Maryport, Whitehaven and Egremont, though Environment chiefs say they expect river levels to fall.

An Environment Agency spokesman said that residents in affected areas should remain alert.

For up to date information, call the Agency's Floodline on 0845 988 1188.

Flood warnings - meaning that floods are still expected - are currently active for the River Ehen at Egremont, Bleach Green, Ennerdale Mill, Springfield Rd, Vale View, Wood Bank and Bridge Area. There is also one for Keswick Campsite.

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