Image courtesy of Network Rail
image captionTrains are not running in north Carlisle due to flooding Article information Author, Pamela Villaloba Role, BBC News, North East and Cumbria May 23, 2024, 10:03 BST
Updated 2 hours ago
Flooding has caused major travel disruption and multiple warnings have been issued after Carlisle received the heaviest rainfall in the UK.
The West Coast Main Line was closed between the city and Lockerbie on Thursday morning, and Northern Railway said trains to Barrow-in-Furness were not able to run.
Carlisle has recorded 65.6 millimeters (2.5 inches) of rainfall in the past 24 hours, the Met Office said.
The Environment Agency said river levels in Stockdale Was village were higher than they were during Storm Desmond in 2015, adding that it was the “first time” that an emergency warning, which requires Cabinet Office approval, had been issued in the county.
Cumbria Police said a number of buildings across Cumbria were damaged and one home had been evacuated.
According to the Met Office, Carlisle's average rainfall in May is around 55mm (2.1 inches).
Image source, Cumberland Council
Image caption: The Castle Car Park in Carlisle has been closed
Pete Miles from the Environment Agency told BBC Radio Cumbria that a severe flood warning for Stockdalewas has since been lifted.
“It rose very quickly to a serious level, [it] “In fact, we have now issued a Cabinet Office-approved emergency alert, which I believe is the first time it has been used in Cumbria and Lancashire,” he said.
Flood warnings are also in place for the River Eden and River Caldew in Carlisle.
Road flooding warning
A special group including emergency services and local authorities was set up overnight to deal with localized flooding.
Image source: Cumberland Council
image captionStation Road in Wigton is also flooded
Swifts Bank Car Park and Castle Car Park in Carlisle are closed, with people being advised to use Caldew Riverside, the Viaduct or West Walls car parks instead.
Cumbria Police Chief Superintendent Mick Bird warned motorists on Thursday to “be careful”.
“If you come across a flooded road, please do not drive as you will not know the depth of the water,” it added.
The Transpennine Express has warned people not to travel between Preston and Carlisle following flooding on its tracks.
Sales manager Darren Higgins said flooding on train tracks north of Carlisle had caused “significant disruption” to train services.
Passengers are being warned not to travel from Manchester, Liverpool and Preston to Carlisle, Glasgow and Edinburgh.
“Those planning to travel by train today can choose to postpone their trip or request a refund,” he added.
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