0 6-0 8-2024 Flood planning gaps could put 'lives at risk' Credit BBC Radio Cumbria, BBC Look North 06-08-2024 People's homes, and even their lives, could be at risk because of gaps in the emergency response to severe weather, communities have warned. Cumbria was left devastated after Storm Desmond in 2015 and has been inundated by flood water on numerous other occasions. Community volunteers said the overhaul of local councils in Cumbria had left gaps in the system. The local authorities tasked with responding to such emergencies insisted they were working hard to make sure people had the information and support they needed. KESWICK Claire Peat, project manager for Keswick Community Emergency Recovery Partnership, described a near miss where floodgates which should have been shut during heavy rain remained open. She said when Storm Isha hit in January, she asked the EA to close the floodgates as water rose in the river. "I was told that unfortunately, because they’ve got limited operational staff, their ops team were already out and deployed in Appleby, dealing with existing flooding," Ms Peat said. The fire and rescue service held another set of keys for the gates as a "plan B", but the brigade’s crews were also deployed elsewhere, she added. Luckily on that occasion, homes in Keswick were "spared by the fact the weather decided to stop raining," she said. CARLISLE Luis Eckersley, the vice-chair of Carlisle Flood Action Group, said he did not have as comprehensive access to information about flood response plans, such as where people should go when evacuated, as he used to. KENDAL Community volunteers in Kendal warned the recent overhaul of local councils in Cumbria had created problems around flood planning.The old two-tier system, which included a county council and six district councils, was replaced by two unitary authorities in 2023. 10-07-2024 Cumberland Council Updated - Upper Borrowdale Valley Monitoring Network nowInstalled and waiting for Satelite connection. Live The data will be available via a web platform and will also be displayed on an outward facing screen at Rossthwaite Village Institute. Local Community user testing welcomed after initial set up. 04-06-2024 National Flood Forum Newsletter August 2024 30-05-2024 Cumberland Council Update - Upper Borrowdale Valley Section 19 Flood Investigation Report for Flood Event 30 September 2022 Final Version Approved July 2023 23-05-2024 Met Office Press Office 22-05-24 Climate change drives increase in storm rainfall A new study has found climate change has influenced how much rain falls during autumn and winter storms. 22-05-2024 EA Data Map ‘Hydrology Explorer’ This is a data portal enabling you to access live and historic hydrometric and water quality data from the EA. Link to DATA MAPS page 23-05-2024 22-05-2024 EA Stakeholder Update - Flooding 22 May 2024 Covering rain impacts 22 / 23 May 2024. Gives insight on how EA currently deals with these situations 1 9-03-2024 KFAG comment on United Utilities press release. Credit Keswick Reminder Sat March 16, 2024 United Utilities has today published a road map showing how it will deliver cleaner rivers, beaches and lakes across the North West – the biggest investment of its kind in the UK. By 2050 the goal is to ensure that storm overflows, the relief points that prevent sewers from backing up and flooding homes and businesses in heavy rain, each operate less than 10 times a year. Sewage in our lakes and rivers will continue to be a problem even with UUs ambitous (albeit) 25 year plan ! Click on READ MORE for full details and KFAG response