Shropshire boat crew help in Cumbria floods as 'major incident' declared
A boat rescue team from Shropshire have travelled to Cumbria where a major incident has been declared to help as the area which has been devastated by flooding this weekend.
The Water Rescue Unit from Shropshire Fire and Rescue was deployed last night to assist Cumbria Fire and Rescue with the severe flooding.
The six-man crew was accompanied by a senior officer after a request for assistance with the aftermath of a storm that has seen what is believed to be a record level of British rainfall - provisionally measured at 352mm in 24 hours.
Shropshire Fire and Rescue's area manager, Andy Johnson, said the specialist team had been out on Sunday morning to the village of Warwick Bridge, where they rescued a couple and their dog from their home.
Following the rescue the crew was helping other villagers to escape the flood waters.
Mr Johnson said the team's skills would provide vital help.
He said: "They are obviously very experienced boat handlers so they know the equipment and the procedures for rescuing people in abnormal water conditions. It is not just anyone who can can go into these conditions and deal with it. We are talking about very skilled and well trained officers."
Mr Johnson said that the crew would remain in the area until today. when they may be relieved by another Shropshire team if help is still required.
Cumbria was the among the worst affected by the onslaught of Storm Desmond, and British Red Cross teams set up rest centres in Keswick, Appleby and Kendal, while medical groups issued an urgent call to draft in extra doctors amid fears the storm could cause casualties.
Adrian Holme, from Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, told the BBC the flood was "unprecedented" and "exceptionally challenging".
He said it was "absolutely devastating", adding: "The flood defences that were built here in 2012 haven't been breached, they have been over-topped. We have had 24 hours of constant rain."
He added: "This is absolutely devastating for the town of Keswick. As you can see behind us, the water is huge and there are hundreds of properties that have been devastated and flooded. And some of these people have been flooded three times, our hearts must go out to them."
It is believed that more than 100 people were evacuated from the town.
MeteoGroup forecaster Gemma Plumb said that Shap in Cumbria had 171mm of rain in the 24 hours to 6pm on Saturday night - and another 60mm in the six hours afterwards.
She said weather should dry out later during the day - before more rain heads up from the south west on Sunday night.
