Flood warnings and disruption as rain batters Border region
Flood warnings have been put in place and transport has been disrupted in our region after it was battered by rain.
More heavy showers are forecast with up to 300mm is expected to fall in parts of Cumbria.
"In a 24-hour period you could see a month's worth of rain," Met Office meteorologist Annie Shuttleworth said, describing the weather as "notable".
Two amber warnings have been issued for rain in our region, for Cumbria and the SOuth of Scotland.
An amber warning means there could be a "danger to life from fast-flowing or deep floodwater".
The alerts also warn of potential damage to homes and businesses from flooding, dangerous driving conditions and travel disruption.
Two months' worth of rain could fall in some local spots, Ms Shuttleworth said, adding that the region sees an average of 160mm in a typical October.
The office's forecast says:
It adds: "Rain is likely to become more showery and less persistent, albeit still heavy at times, during Thursday night and perhaps Friday morning, with a separate yellow warning still in force at that time."
Stewart Mounsey from the Environment Agency
Three flood warnings have been issued for Cumbria by the Environment Agency and one has been been issued by the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (Sepa) for the Scottish Borders.
In Cumbria these warnings are for the River Rothay at Grasmere, White Bridge and Stock Lane, the River Greta at Keswick, Keswick Campsite, Rugby Club and Quinta and at Keswick Campsite itself. In addition, there are several flood alerts - meaning flooding is possible but not expected - throughout the county. Full details can be found here.
High river levels in Selkirk.
In the Scottish Borders, Sepa has issued a warning for the Ettrick Valley.
A spokesperson for the organisation said:
Dumfries and Galloway is also subject to a flood alert. For full details, click here.
On the roads, there are reports of flooding on around Keswick, making some roads impassable.
National Highways, which manages motorways and major A roads in England, has urged people to be cautious and drive to the conditions. This includes slowing down, driving with dipped headlights and keeping a distance from other vehicles, leaving extra room for braking.
A spokesperson said:
This advice has been echoed by Transport Scotland.
On the railways, travel has been affected on both sides of the border.
In Cumbria, TransPennine Express have said services connecting Carlisle with Glasgow and Edinburgh are reduced and that speed limits have also been put in place.
The company has urged people to only travel for "essential reasons".
Scotrail meanwhile has warned of delays of up to an hour - as well as and some cancellations - on trains between Dumfries and Kilmarnock.
Speed restrictions have been put in place between Dumfries and Sanquhar.
Northern has also reported disruption on trains between Barrow and Lancaster.
Network Rail will introduce emergency speed restrictions from 7pm today until 8am on Friday on the following routes:
West Coast main line between Carnforth and Shap
Cumbrian Coast line between Carnforth and Whitehaven
Lakes line between Oxenholme and Windermere
Settle to Carlisle line between Settle and Carnforth
Phil James, managing director for Network Rail’s North West route, said: “As the current forecast is for torrential rain our specialist extreme weather action teams are on standby to immediately deal with any flooding. I understand that speed limits can be frustrating and will mean longer journey times for people, but we have to put them in place to keep passengers and freight moving safely.
His colleague Liam Sumpter, Scotland route manager, urged people to only travel if their journey is essential.
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