[quote=BBC]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.
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.
ON THE SCENE - 0500 GMT
The BBC's Laura Bicker, in Cockermouth
Cockermouth High Street looks more like a rapidly flowing river at the moment.
Shops that had just done up their fronts for Christmas are now only accessible by boat.
The RNLI, the fire service, mountain rescue and the police are all here working together to try to evacuate people from their houses.
Overhead, there's a helicopter from the RAF taking people off the roofs of their houses and from windows.
It looks very much like a disaster zone and it's feared that the river levels are still due to rise further.
Flood concerns in Scotland
Wales warning over rising rivers
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 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."
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.
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 properties.
Flooded centre of Cockermouth (pic: Ashley Tiffen)
Lifeboats have been rescuing people from their homes in Cockermouth
The Ministry of Defence said the Army had been drafted in to help with door-to-door work in Cumbria.
Some 20 schools in the area were earlier forced to close and several were turned into emergency shelters for more than 200 Cockermouth evacuees.
Robert Runcie, the Environment Agency's director of flood and coastal risk management, said at least 500 homes could be flooded in and around Cockermouth.
There are currently four severe flood warnings in Cumbria, in Cockermouth, Keswick, Southwaite Bridge and Eamont Bridge.
The Environment Agency describes a severe flood warning as a threat of "extreme danger to life and property".
There are nine severe flood warnings in place in Scotland, covering three sections of the River Tweed, two sections of the River Earn, Yarrow Water, Teviot Water, the River Isla in Perthshire and the River Teith at Callander.
A landslip between Carlisle and Penrith caused the West Coast Main Line from London to Glasgow to close and there is flooding on the line at Lockerbie.
Drivers are being warned of "treacherous" conditions in much of Dumfries and Galloway and fire crews have been called to rescue a number of stranded motorists.
In mid and north Wales, there have also been road closures, disruption to train services and a brief power cut affecting 2,000 homes in Anglesey.
The AA said it was "flat out" rescuing stricken cars and advised against all but essential travel.
Richard Westmoreland, the motoring organisation's water rescue technician, said: "Conditions in Cumbria have been horrendous - the worst I've seen."
During a 24-hour period Shap and Keswick in Cumbria recorded rainfall of 71.6mm (2.8in) and 64.2mm (2.5in) respectively.
The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings, with up to 250mm (9.8in) of rain possible on higher ground.
People caught up in floods are being warned not to walk through flood waters or try to unblock drains. Police are also advising against fell-walking in Cumbria. [/quote]
[img]http://cdn8.wn.com/vp/i/d0/56d27e4a8e53cc.jpg[/img]
[img]http://msnbcmedia1.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/091120-england-flood-hmed-630a.h2.jpg[/img]
[url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8366360.stm]Source[/url]
[quote]Cockermouth[/quote]
:smug:
I've always wanted to go for a swim in the streets.
[QUOTE=DarkWolf2;18683376]:smug:[/QUOTE]
goddamn you
[QUOTE=DarkWolf2;18683376]:smug:[/QUOTE]
Haha Russel Howard mentioned it on his "Good News" show :D
Surprised I didnt notice
[QUOTE=Carne;18683383]I've always wanted to go for a swim in the streets.[/QUOTE]
I remember last spring there was a lot of standing water around, and one guy's yard here was completely flooded because his house is lower than the rest for some reason.
Everyone else was dry, this guy had water in his basement up the first floor. Everything was ruined.
So no, being able to swim in the streets wouldn't be all that fun knowing how much damage it's causing.
not to mention all the sewage it washes up out the drains.
[QUOTE=Robbazking;18683465]It fucking always rain in the uk?[/QUOTE]
Pretty Much. The occasional sunny day but otherwise quite dismal.
[QUOTE=Zeke129;18683445]I remember last spring there was a lot of standing water around, and one guy's yard here was completely flooded because his house is lower than the rest for some reason.
Everyone else was dry, this guy had water in his basement up the first floor. Everything was ruined.
So no, being able to swim in the streets wouldn't be all that fun knowing how much damage it's causing.[/QUOTE]
Meh, insurance will pay for it, go out and have fun.
Cockermouth? Cumbria?
come on now
[QUOTE=Adbor;18683649]Cockermouth? Cumbria?
come on now[/QUOTE]
We have a town in Denmark called "Sæd", close to the town of "Sperm"
Sæd=cum
Sperm=cum
:smug:
How are its citizens called?
Belfast had some crazy ass weather...
[QUOTE=Adbor;18683823]How are its citizens called?[/QUOTE]
Cumbrians.
[QUOTE=DarkWolf2;18683376]:smug:[/QUOTE]
Stopped being funny weeks ago
Rain rain go away, come again another day.
Snow snow go back home, we don't need to break a bone.
[QUOTE=Adbor;18683823]How are its citizens called?[/QUOTE]
Cockmonglers.
[QUOTE=Adbor;18683823]How are its citizens called?[/QUOTE]
CockMouthers
Wasn't this ages ago?
[editline]08:15PM[/editline]
10 days is ages
There has been a lot of flooding in Ireland too. Both uncle and aunt/cousins (including my nanny who lives with my aunt) have been left stranded without any shelter, and the county council/government aren't doing anything to help them!
It's flooded AGAIN?
Woah man old news.
I'm sick of reading/hearing about this seeing as I had to write an essay on how the different public services use communication.
It wasn't posted on FP, therefore I am not late.
Maybe in England, Scotland has been like this:
[img]http://www.greatglenhostel.net/images/ben%20nevis%202opt.jpg[/img]
for about a week.
Around my area is a place called CockHedge. Beat that.
[QUOTE=DainBramageStudios;18683972]It wasn't posted on FP, therefore I am not late.[/QUOTE]
ye it was
[QUOTE=Moby-;18683947]Woah man old news.
I'm sick of reading/hearing about this seeing as I had to write an essay on how the different public services use communication.[/QUOTE]
You should watch GMTV, if it's anything weather related they have to talk about it every single morning for at least a week.
I´m singin´ in the rain
Just singin´ in the rain,
What a glorious feeling,
And I´m happy again.
I´m laughing at clouds
So dark, up above,
The sun´s in my heart
And I´m ready for love.
[QUOTE=ser770;18684343]I´m singin´ in the rain
Just singin´ in the rain,
What a glorious feeling,
And I´m happy again.
I´m laughing at clouds
So dark, up above,
The sun´s in my heart
And I´m ready for love.[/QUOTE]
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cscZeUqxxM[/media]
Learn how to Gene Kelly.
[QUOTE=Adbor;18683823]How are its citizens called?[/QUOTE]
Nobgobbers.
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