Border region hit by high winds and flooding

With more heavy rain forecast, people are being warned not to put themselves at risk by taking 'storm selfies'.

The Environment Agency and Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents say the trend could lead to injuries.

They're are also calling on motorists to avoid driving through flood water.

Flood concerns are easing in Cumbria but people are still being told to be vigilant.

Agricultural land at a Cumbrian beauty spot has been badly hit by flooding.

The Lyth Valley is known as a flooding hotspot, and heavy rain and winds over the past 36 hours have taken their toll, as you can see in this video:

• Earlier in the year it was announced that flood defence pumps in the valley would be turned off

The Environment Agency is warning people not to go near rivers after continuous rain has swollen rivers and raised the height of Cumbrian lakes.

There were 48 flood warnings and alerts in Cumbria over the weekend, and flood alerts in Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders, with thousands of homeowners on standby preparing for flooding.

Cumbria Police warns many roads may still be affected by standing water as rain continues to make its way down from the fells.

Stewart Mounsey is from the Environment Agency:

Cumbria County Council says 23 roads in Cumbria are currently closed due to flooding.

The situation, at 16:45 on Sunday 15th November, was as follows:

A3075 - Ravenstonedale to the Fat Lamb A6071 - Irthing Bridge B6259 - Warcop A591 - Low Wood Hotel and White Cross Bay A592 - Newby Bridge to Windermere A593 - Between Ambleside and Coniston A6 - Levens Hall B5286 - Nr Clappersgate A591 - Keswick to Bothel A66 - Threlkeld B5301 - Arkleby Bridge, Aspatria B5301 - Dubmill point C2008 - Dearham to A594 C2011- Boltongate to Ireby C2082 - Baggrow C2083 - Harriston Bridge C2085 - Ellen Villa C2111 - Ireby to Prior Hall C2169 - Moor Road, Stainburn, C4018 - Wastwater, Wasdale Head B6412 Toll Bar Cottage Langwathby to Gt Salkeld Little Corby road, Warwick Bridge Rickerby Park, Carlisle

Flood alert levels have been downgraded across Cumbria as rainfall over the past 24 hour was significantly less than predicted.

The county has suffered minor disruption due to the weather conditions and the multi-agency response has been stood down.

Both Egremont and Kendal, the two areas that were most at risk, suffered minor disruption with a small number of evacuations from properties. Both have seen their flood warnings downgraded.

Rain is forecast throughout the day and river levels will remain high. The county's roads continue to be an area of concern due to surface water.

Assistant Chief Constable Darren Martland, Chair of the multi-agency group, said:

"We are pleased that the weather has caused less disruption than first predicted. We still have a number of areas suffering from localised flooding, however we are now in a position to reassure the public that the risk of severe flooding has dropped significantly.

"While the risk of flooding has been downgraded, a number of the county's roads are still of particular concern due to standing surface water."

Keith Ashcroft, of the Environment Agency, said:

“We are working closely with the Met Office and the Flood Forecasting Centre to predict likely totals and how that may affect river levels. We have seen over 200mm over the Western Fells in the last 24 hours with more heavy rainfall to come throughout today and into tonight. Flooding is still possible.

“We currently have 10 Flood Warnings and 14 Flood Alerts in force across Cumbria and Lancashire. With heavy rain predicted over the weekend there is potential for further warnings and alerts to be issued."

Cumbria Police say several roads are currently closed due to surface water flooding. They are:

· B5320 closed between Pooley Bridge and Yanwath

· B6259 in Warcop, A66 at Dodick Farm also closed.

· Holmrook on A595 currently passable with care but may become unpassable because of rising tide.

· The A591 near Low Wood Hotel is partially closed due to a collapsed wall.

A spokesman for Cumbria County Council says, “The heavy rain has resulted in flooding on some routes that has forced closure. We have crews out trying to improve the situation where possible, but with the quantity of rain that has fallen we have to let nature take its course. We are warning drivers not to attempt to drive through floodwater if they cannot accurately judge the depth.”

Kendal Fire and Rescue Crews are knocking on doors in flood risk areas around Kendal to urge people to go to evacuation centres at Kendal Town Hall or Kendal Leisure Centre.

Most homeowners in Burneside decided to stay in their homes as ITV Border followed fire crews.

The river Kent is at risk of flooding and Burneside is an area prone to flood in periods of heavy rain.

Fire crews can also fit extra protections such as flood gates.