Clean-up underway in Britain after floods
Posted: 23 November 2009 0156 hrs

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LONDON: Clean-up efforts were underway on Sunday in flood-hit towns following the heaviest downpours ever recorded in England, as fears mounted for a woman missing near a swollen river in Wales.

Some 314 millimetres of rain fell in 24 hours - the highest level since records began - over Cumbria as torrential rains swept across Britain and Ireland.

The Environment Agency said 65 flood warnings were in force across England and Wales, with four severe warnings in Cumbria in northwest England, the area hardest hit.

About 60 people were still sheltering in reception centres and more than 700 properties remained without power.

An urgent safety review of Cumbria's 1,800 bridges was under way with emergency services warning one bridge in the coastal town of Workington could collapse at any time.

The Calva Bridge's closure cut off the north side of the town.

Workington's other bridge has collapsed, taking the life of a policeman on Friday who was diverting motorists away from it.

Tony Cunningham, member of parliament for Workington, said: "We have concerns about people who have not got prescriptions, medication, the medical centre is down to its last nappies for babies.

"I spoke to residents...they are distraught at what's happening. My major concern is residents who are cut off. Things are getting desperate."

The floods in Cumbria and southern Scotland are expected to trigger insurance claims of 50 million to 100 million pounds, the Association of British Insurers said.

Meanwhile a search was under way for a woman believed to have been swept away by the River Usk in Brecon, south Wales, late Saturday. The river is under flood watch.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown surveyed the grim aftermath on a visit on Saturday to the badly hit Cumbria town of Cockermouth, with houses filled with muddy water, silt and sludge carpeting the roads and cars left awkwardly where the floods left them.

The floods forced hundreds of people out of their homes and left a police officer dead after the bridge on which he was standing was swept away.

Cockermouth town centre was cordoned off as surveyors, structural engineers, utility workers and Environment Agency staff continued work to start the clean-up.

Local businessman Paul Cusack said: "Today should have been the Christmas lights switch on in Cockermouth. The feeling is a mixture of devastation and determination, to get it all put right again, people in this area are very resilient."

In Devon, southwest England, a canoeist died after being pulled from the River Dart, which was swollen by the heavy rains. The 46-year-old man became trapped against a tree, emergency services said. - AFP/de