Agencies across Cumbria have declared themselves on standby for a major incident ahead of an amber weather warning coming into effect for the entire county this evening.
The public are urged to continue to follow advice from agencies to keep themselves, their families and their communities safe, with the impact of Storm Isha already being felt – and the potential for damage, disruption and flooding to come.
The storm is already causing concern and it is expected to bring even stronger winds from 6pm tonight until 6am tomorrow.
The amber alert is preceded by yellow warnings for both wind and rain. The amber alert is effective from this evening until tomorrow morning and has the potential to impact travel during the rush hour tomorrow.
Preparations have been well underway for several days for this weather event, with the multi-agency response now being placed on a higher official footing to ensure public safety.
Storm Isha could in Cumbria lead to:
Winds of up to 80mph, with these highest speeds most likely around the coast.
Road and rail disruption.
Power outages.
The potential for trees falling.
Disruption to the roads and closures of some routes.
The potential for structural damage to buildings.
There are also a number of flood alerts currently in place and one food warning – at Keswick Campsite.
Of particular concern at the moment in terms of potential flooding later tonight and overnight is the Sands area at Appleby.
A specific multi-agency response to this area is being coordinated.
Highways crews have increased resources across the area and they have teams on standby ready to respond to expected disruptions.
There are restrictions on high-sided vehicles on the A66 between Scotch Corner and junction 40 of the M6.
Chief Superintendent Carl Patrick, of Cumbria Constabulary, is chairing the Local Resilience Forum response.
He said: “The public can be reassured that our multi-agency response is well underway.
“All agencies are working together to protect our communities.
“But there is the potential for some significant damage and disruption as this storm continues through the night and into tomorrow.
“We would ask everyone to follow the advice we have been issuing to the public on social media and in the media over the last two days to keep themselves and their families and communities safe.
“We would also ask everyone to make themselves aware of the key contacts they might need and ensure any vulnerable people within our communities are aware and prepared.”
Residents are asked to:
Not travel unless necessary.
Secure any loose items around your home and garden, such as rubbish bins, trampolines, plant pots and garden furniture, to minimise the risk of floating debris and damage.
Speak to vulnerable relatives, friends and neighbours – advise them and ensure they are prepared in case of power outages.
Stay clear of coastal areas during the affected times.
Stay away from the fells to keep you and mountain rescue volunteers safe.
Do not drive through flood water if coming across flooding – take an alternative route.
Check your torch batteries, radio and try to ensure phones are charged up in advance of the worst-affected times.
Park vehicles in a garage if available – otherwise keep them clear of buildings, trees, walls and fences if possible.
If you must travel during this time do so with caution – pack your car with essentials, plan your route and listen to travel updates.
Do not touch any telephone or electrical cables that may have blown down.
Be aware your journey to work or school tomorrow may be impacted.
To report any issues - or if you need help for yourself or someone vulnerable - please see the following agencies’ contact details.
- Electricity North West can be contacted on 105 for power cuts, but please only call if your query is urgent to help prioritise customers in the most vulnerable circumstances. For more information, please visit Electricity North West (enwl.co.uk).
- For water supply issues contact United Utilities on 0345 672 3723
- For highways emergencies that require immediate attention such as a fallen tree or flooding to the authority’s Highways Hotline on 0300 373 3306.
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