FLOODING: Wharfedale residents warned to be prepared over the weekend

The Environment Agency issued severe flood warnings – its highest level of alert – on Saturday and emergency reception centres were set up in both Cumbrian towns.

This morning, there were 72 flood warnings issued as the Environment Agency said that immediate action was required.

There are now two flood warnings in place – at Keswick Campsite in Cumbria, and at Aberystwyth in West Wales – and 23 flood alerts, where flooding is possible, with the EA saying it will issue flood warnings where necessary.

Today there were heavy showers and also sleet on the hills, but the worst of the weather is likely to come on Saturday and Sunday.

Cumbria, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, North and West Yorkshire are expected to be the worst-hit areas.

Such heavy rain on already saturated ground is likely to lead to flooding from standing water or from rivers bursting their banks, the Met Office warns.

“Further heavy, persistent rain is expected throughout Sunday and into Monday, and river levels remain extremely high and are continuing to rise in places”.

Cumbria was hit by severe floods in November 2009.

“Our teams are working around the clock with communities at risk to prepare for flooding and maintain flood defences”.

The Environment Agency said there were still 75 flood warnings in force across England and Wales, along with 91 flood alerts.

A spokesman said the company’s website, northernpowergrid.com, had an easy-to-use power cut reporting service which customers could use to log their power cut and get updates.

Many northern parts of the country are already saturated after days of wet and windy weather. Coral is also offering 7-1 that the United Kingdom mainland wind speed record of 173mph is broken this month.

Cumbria Constabulary yesterday urged those living in the area to consider finding alternate accommodation, following severe flood warnings.

They included the River Kent, in Kendal, various watercourses in Egremont and the River Ehen in the Egremont area.

People can sign up to receive free flood warnings for rivers, check their flood risk and keep up to date with the latest situation, including a 3-day flood risk forecast on the GOV.United Kingdom website at https://www.gov.uk/check-if-youre-at-risk-of-flooding or via #floodaware on Twitter and Facebook.