Cumbria flooding: River Kent concerning residents (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Cumbria flooding: River Kent concerning residents

4:10pm Thursday 19th November 2009

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THE River Kent is threatening to swamp homes and businesses in the centre of Kendal.

Water is lapping over the tops of its banks by the Waterside estate.

Sandbag barricades have been built on doorsteps in case the water level rises further.

Toni Yates, owner of the Waterside Cafe, was forced to close her business after she was warned the water levels may rise by a further two foot.

“We are taking precautions by moving furniture and stock and have got sandbags,” she said.

“It is bad for my business but there is nothing we can do. That is nature.”

Many residents, shoppers and workers in Kendal have been drawn to look at the impressive sight of the river in full flow.

Onlooker Ellis Butcher said: “I have never seen it like this before.

"I think it is absolutely incredible the amount of water that has come down and if we see this again in another generation it will be unusual.”

Elderly residents of the Edgecombe Court South Lakes Housing scheme had to be moved from their ground floor flats to the communal room above.

Margaret McCafferty, 79, was keeping warm with other residents while watching the river racing below.

“I live downstairs but they (care staff) have moved us up here for safety and we are going to stay with relatives.

"I have never seen it like this while I have been here but I saw it quite high when I was a child.

"It looks pretty bad today but we are safe and warm now.”

Lois Britton, 87, who also lives at Edgecombe Court, said she was enjoying watching the river speeding past.

“It is the worst I have seen it in the 22 years I have lived here. I think it is fantastic as long as you are not in it. It is something you usually see on TV, though I feel sorry for the people affected.”

Jan Graham, scheme manager, said: “I have been working for South Lakes Housing for 15 years.

"It has been high before but nothing as bad as this.

"It is looking very angry and I wouldn’t like to go near it.

"I don’t think people realise how fast a flowing river it is.”

Jill Watts lives in nearby Waterside and was becoming increasingly concerned for her home - which is on the waterfront.

“I am going to get my electrical stuff upstairs because I think it is going to get higher,” she said.

“It is worrying now. I have seen it as high as this before but because of the forecast for more rain it is very worrying.”

Meanwhile, Kendal Mountain Rescue are using Land Rovers to ferry police officers across deluged bridges in Burneside so they can check on elderly residents cut off by the torrent.

Houses surrounding Croppers paper Mill on Bridge Street are swamped with water.

The fire brigade is on scene helping pump water from proprieties.

Cars stuck in the river were being pulled out by 4x4s along New Road.

The only access in and out of the village is via Hollins Lane.

Resident Shaun O’ Sullivan described the scenes in the rest of the village as ‘carnage’.

Long term Burneside resident 91-year-old Constance Ireland said it was the worst she had ever seen the flood-prone village.

She said: “It’s been bad before, but never as bad as this.

"I was woken up by the noise of it last night. It’s nearly coming into my garden, I’ve tried blocking it up so it can’t get in.

"I’m keeping hoping it’s going to stop, but it never does.”

In Kendal this morning, the Kent has overflowed 400 metres from its banks onto fields by the Westmorland Business park, off Shap Road, and water is running across the car park of the Grosvenor House Papers building.

“The river has flooded and it is up to the side of the building,” said Katie Shannon, who works in sales at Grosvenor House.

“The car park is all flooded, we have quite a river going on. It is bad, but the building is safe.”

People can get more information about where they live and how to be prepared by logging on to www.environment-agency.gov.uk/flood or by calling 0845 988 1188.