Keswick flood November 2009

Transcription

1 Keswick flood 2009 As events started to unfold on Thursday 19 no one could have imagined the ferocity and impact this latest deluge would have on the County. The Met Office had issued severe weather warnings and on Wednesday 18 Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service set up a Critical Incident Room and started preparing for the expected spate conditions. This included the strategic relocation of assets including the four wheel drive vehicles.

2 Heavy rain and gales

3 Background Heavy rain affected many parts of north-west Britain during 18, 19 and , and this rain led to widespread flooding. This was caused by an Atlantic weather front becoming almost stationary across Northern Ireland, Cumbria and south-west Scotland. This front and the south-westerly winds associated with it drew very warm, moisture laden air northwards from the Azores region. The rain was intensified by the mountainous terrain of Cumbria and southwest Scotland resulting in record rainfall totals. Analysis chart valid 0600 UTC Thursday

4 Weather data In Cumbria, mm of rain fell at Seathwaite and mm of rain at Honister between 0800 on Wednesday 18 and 0400 on Friday 20. Provisionally, the 24-hour total at Seathwaite (ending 0045 on Friday 20 ) of mm is a UK record for a single location in any given 24-hour period. rainfall totals in millimetres (08 08 UTC) (08 08 UTC) (08 08 UTC) 3 day total 1 20 average ( ) Cumbria Shap 55.4 mm 50.2 mm 91.2 mm mm mm 196 mm St Bees Head 23.4 mm 13.6 mm 40.6 mm 77.6 mm mm 100 mm Keswick 41.8 mm 39.4 mm mm mm mm 182 mm

5 Warcop 28.6 mm 13.4 mm 20.8 mm 62.8 mm mm 101 mm Walney Island 17.6 mm 8.0 mm 47.6 mm 73.2 mm mm 106 mm Carlisle 19.6 mm 7.8 mm 14.4 mm 41.8 mm mm 77 mm Dumfries and Galloway Eskdalemuir 17.4 mm 34.4 mm 89.8 mm mm mm 168 mm Dundrennan 16.4 mm 14.8 mm 21.8 mm 53.0 mm mm 109 mm Drumalbin 6.4 mm 17.6 mm 23.8 mm 47.8 mm mm 91 mm West Freugh 9.2 mm 6.4 mm 7.2 mm 22.8 mm mm 118 mm Ayrshire Prestwick 10.2 mm 14.6 mm 23.2 mm 48.0 mm mm 100 mm Impacts The most widespread impacts were in Cumbria, where more than 1,300 homes were affected by flooding, and many more were left without power and water. A number of bridges were swept away and others were closed pending inspection by structural engineers. There was severe travel disruption on both roads and railways. The worst affected town was Cockermouth where water levels reached 2.5 m. BBC Report About 200 people have been rescued by the emergency services from the town of Cockermouth, as floods hit Cumbria. RAF helicopters have airlifted at least 50 to safety, with some forced to break through the roofs of their houses. The Environment Agency said the situation was "very serious". Police said water levels in Cockermouth centre had reached more than 2.5m (8ft 2in). Cumbria police say one of its officers is missing after a bridge collapsed over a flooded river in Workington. 'Atrocious conditions'

6 A spokesman said a search operation was under way and a liaison officer had been assigned to support the family. Flooding was also reported in Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland, where 30 roads closed in "treacherous" conditions. In mid- and north Wales, roads were closed and train services disrupted, and a brief power cut in Anglesey affected 2,000 homes. Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he had spoken to Cumbria's chief constable Craig Mackey to offer support and help. He said: "Our thoughts are with all those who have been impacted by these floods and our thanks go out to the emergency services who continue in their extraordinary efforts to help the people affected." Environment Secretary Hilary Benn, who is travelling to Cockermouth, said the situation was "very serious". He told BBC Breakfast: "We have seen extraordinary amounts of rainfall. The rain gauge at Seathwaite registered 314mm [12.4in] in 24 hours which could make it the wettest day ever recorded, and we've seen the impact of that with the terrible flooding which has affected people." The Environment Agency has in place four severe flood warnings - all in Cumbria - 28 flood warnings in the Midlands, Wales and north-east and north-west England and 63 less serious flood watches. In Scotland there are nine severe flood warnings, 10 flood warnings and 14 flood watches

7 in force. In Cumbria, the main bridge into Workington on the A597 collapsed along with Lorton Bridge near Cockermouth and Southwaite footbridge in the town. Five RAF Sea King helicopters were sent to the Cockermouth area, along with RNLI lifeboats and coastguard teams, to help with the rescue effort. The RAF said conditions were "atrocious", with water levels in some parts of the town reaching about 8ft (almost 2.5m). "The situation has continued to deteriorate over the past two hours with people being forced to break through the rooftops of houses as they frantically seek escape from rising floodwaters," it said in a statement. Wing Commander Peter Lloyd said: "We are concentrating on getting people away from imminent danger and delivering them to what is comparative safety." 'Desperate' RAF Squadron Leader Dave Webster later said more than 50 people had been rescued by helicopter, while about 150 more had been helped to safety by the RNLI and other emergency crews. "There have been no serious injuries as a result of the floods, just a few people treated at the scene for minor bumps and scrapes," he added. This is a very, very serious situation Robert Runcie, Environment Agency Earlier, Ch Supt Steve Johnson said flood defences installed in Carlisle following the 2005 floods appeared to have worked, but added: "We are not taking anything for granted." John Carlin, owner of the Allerdale Court Hotel, said the amount of rainfall was "staggering". "I have lived here for 15 years and have never seen anything like it," he said. "It's desperate. The town centre is completely flooded, the only people out there at the moment are the emergency services. The water is up to the waists of the firefighters." About 1,200 homes in the Cockermouth area and 349 around Keswick lost power on Thursday night, although United Utilities said later that services had been restored to 660

8 properties. So how can we stop this in future Firstly we need to slow rate of rainfall reaching catchment area To do this we need trees to hold water and increase evaporation. Secondly we need to manage the water in catchment areas by releasing water prior to rainfall, thus making a buffer that can be used to reduce flow in rivers when at peak levels Please contact floodwarn for more info on this Contact Colin Pritchard pyrotech999@hotmail.co.uk These details correct as of details correct as of 2009