SOUTH Lakeland District Council has thanked residents for their vigilant response to the flooding threat, as the Environment Agency confirms 'the highest risk has passed'.

Council workers handed out around 500 sandbags from a depot in Ulverston, as well as at Arnside and Storth Village Halls, as locals prepared for the worst with predicted high tides and winds.

"Thanks to the warnings sent out most people were well prepared," said Nick Pearson, council street scene manager.

"Many residents living in coastal areas are used to dealing with the ever-present threat from the high tides.”

The Environment Agency had warned that the area, along with other coastal areas of the UK, could be affected by the biggest storm surges for many years.

Workers from SLDC were on standby to staff emergency shelters should residents need to be evacuated, although this was not required.

The Environment Agency has stressed that people should remain vigilant for the rest of the weekend - although they say the highest risk is now thought to have passed.

"It's looking like the impact is dying down," said a spokeswoman for the agency.

"We're monitoring the situation at the moment but don't expect impacts to be significant."

A flood alert across Morecambe Bay was removed at around 7am this morning, but was put back into place at 4.30pm.

Throughout the night high water is forecast at 12.59am.

Canal Foot in Ulverston flooded, as well as the main road between Arnside and Milnthorpe, although both are open to traffic. Police are advising motorists to use them 'with caution'.
 

To keep up to date with flood alerts visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk or call the agency's Floodline for advice and information on 0845 988 1188.

Anybody who spots roads in their area starting to flood with a build-up of surface water should contact Cumbria County Council’s Highways Hotline on 0845 609 6609