Plea to check flood risks as warnings remain

The River Duddon's banks burst on Tuesday

People living in Cumbria have been urged to check if their homes are at risk of flooding after torrential rain caused widespread problems.

More than 265 flooding and drainage issues were reported to Cumbrian councils on Tuesday, including 45 emergency response calls, as the Environment Agency issued eleven flood warnings for the county.

Two people were rescued after they became trapped in a vehicle during a flood at Braystones, while Duddon River Association described residents clearing blocked drains as the A595 road became impassable.

Three flood warnings and several alerts remain for Wednesday in areas such as Cockermouth, the River Crake Valley and Keswick.

The Environment Agency urged people to go online to check their flood risk, download flood plans and take advice.

Westmorland and Furness Council said it received more than 80 reports of flooding on roads on Tuesday and drivers were warned there would "likely to be some standing water remaining on rural roads".

Meanwhile 185 flooding and drainage issues were reported to Cumberland Council.

Many roads in the Duddon Valley became impassable on Tuesday

About 168.4mm (6.6in) of rainfall was recorded at Honister and 118.2mm (4.6in) fell at Seathwaite Farm within 24 hours on Tuesday.

Rick Browne, chair of Duddon River Association (DRA) and who lives beside Duddon Bridge and said there were "several deep floods occurring".

He said the A595 road was "under a foot of water for a short time" and the "main valley road did not become passable" until 15:45 GMT on Tuesday.

"Local residents cleared blocked drains and gulleys of dead leaves, sticks and silt to allow water to drain away," he said.

"One lady sat in her car with her dog for nearly four hours waiting for the flood water to drop low enough for her to proceed.

"An even higher flood occurred three and a half weeks ago. Wwe normally have three or four of these events per year - not per month."

Coniston Powerboat Records Week was halted due to the poor weather

The DRA said: "The recent flooding in the Duddon Valley reinforces the need for co-ordinated catchment scale approaches to recovery."

It said it was working with farmers, landowners and communities to restore natural river processes and reduce future flood risk, using nature-friendly techniques.

The Bluebird Cafe on the lake in Coniston ended up almost in the water

Amy Dixon, who owns The Bluebird Café on the lake in Coniston, said: "We were nearly a cafe in the lake last night.

"We were lucky, if there had been any more rain we would have been in trouble."

"It was at its highest at 10 o'clock on Tuesday with waves lapping on to the terrace."

Ms Dixon said many people had based themselves at the cafe during Coniston Powerboat Records Week, which was paused due to the weather.

"I haven't seen many boats yet but hopefully they can still try for some records later tomorrow," she added.

Roads near Newby Bridge were flooded in the heavy rain

Meanwhile in Wigton, Blennerhasset School reopened on Wednesday after it was closed at 13:00 GMT on Tuesday due to the flooding.

Cumberland Council thanked people who reported floods and blocked drains, adding their "quick action really helped us respond effectively".

On Wednesday morning the council said there were three road closures remaining in Allerdale, Copeland and Carlisle.

Roads were impassable near Borrowdale on Monday

Earlier the National Trust and insurance firm Admiral said they would work together on large-scale landscape restoration to tackle the growing threat of flooding.

The partnership, announced on Wednesday, involves a £600,000 investment from Admiral for projects in the three areas, one of which is the Lake District.

The National Trust said it would create new ponds, restore rivers and plant vegetation alongside river corridors.