Furness hit hardest by torrential rain (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Furness hit hardest by torrential rain

4:30pm Wednesday 4th November 2009 in

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THE Furness area bore the brunt of the heavy downpours that saw fire and rescue teams across South Lakeland on high alert this week.

Persistent rain on Sunday saw houses and businesses overwhelmed with flood water.

The Dalton-in-Furness, Ulverston and Lowick Green areas were the worst affected with homes and cellars being swamped.

The historic Farmers’ Arms pub, in Lowick Green since 1360, was devastated by the torrent.

Malcolm Heap, landlord of the pub for nine years, said: “The water was three feet deep and flooded the front of the pub.

"The water moved the stools and tables through the door and smashed the glass in the porch.

"The pool table was moved five feet by the water.

“There were 12 firemen here who kept pumping it but there was nothing they could do.

"We have had to take half the carpets out. It is absolutely horrific.”

Mr Heap anticipates the pub will be forced to keep its doors closed for at least two or three weeks for it to dry out and repairs to be done.

The Rascals Nursery, in Ulverston, had to have its boiler room pumped out by fire crews.

“The weather was terrible,” said owner Alex Mitton. “I had to abandon moving house to come and rescue Rascals.

"It is more of an inconvenience than damage. The floor was wet and I have had to dry the carpet out.”

Roger Exley, station manager at Barrow Fire Station, said crews had also attended floodings at properties at Hawkshead Hill, Dalton and Spark Bridge.

“When the weather does change and goes into spate conditions we do commit a lot of resources to flooding incidents,” he said.

The A592 between Newby Bridge and Bowness was also blocked by standing water.

The Met Office recorded total rainfall of 51.6mm at Shap between 9am on Saturday, October 31 and 10pm the following day.

The forecast for the coming week is unsettled mixed weather with sunny spells and showers.

Have you been affected by the rain and flooding? Add your comments below.