By Phil Coleman

Last updated at 09:57, Saturday, 07 July 2012

Cumbria's washout summer is forecast to continue, with the Met Office predicting yet more heavy rain.

The unseasonable weather which has battered the county in recent days has shown no sign of abating, and environment chiefs say residents should be vigilant for possible flooding.

Though the rainfall in the Carlisle area was sporadic yesterday morning, the county remains the subject of an official Met Office severe weather warning for today.

Forecasters say that up to 40mm of rain could fall throughout the day – equal to about half of the monthly average rainfall for July.

Today is expected to bring further heavy showers or longer periods of rain.

Though not all places in the county will see the heaviest of the rain, where it does fall it is likely to lead to surface water flooding, say experts.

The problems are likely to be made worse by the amount of rain that fell in June – the wettest in the UK since records began in 1910.

This year also saw the rainiest April on record.

Sarah Holland, from the Met Office, said: “The rainfall total for Cumbria in June was 233.2mm, but the typical monthly average for the county is 84.8mm, and we are certainly in for another very unsettled period, with more rain on the way.

There’s a chance that there will be some surface water and river flooding.”

The Environment Agency yesterday issued a warning for the North West, urging people to be vigilant as heavy and persistent rain sweeps across the region.

The agency said that people should avoid swollen rivers and floodwater, which can be dangerous.

At the bridge where the River Petteril passes beneath Warwick Road in Carlisle, workers were yesterday clearing debris – including a fallen tree – which had built up.

Teams were mobilised across the North West to check and clear river blockages and monitor river levels.

An agency spokesman said staff were working with local partners to minimise surface water flooding.

This happens when the local drainage system cannot cope with more rainfall.

“It is extremely difficult to predict precisely where surface water flooding will happen as it depends on ground water levels, the amount of rainfall, and the local drainage network,” said a spokesman.

As many as one in six properties in England and Wales are thought to be at risk of some type of flooding.

Steve Moore, director of the Environment Agency in the North West, said: “We are experiencing a period of very unsettled weather and, where necessary, our teams are out monitoring river levels and ensuring that blockages to rivers and drains are removed.”

Anybody concerned about flooding can call Floodline 0845 988 1188. You can follow the latest flood alerts and warnings by logging on to www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/floods/31618.aspx or on Twitter at Twitter @envagencynw; or sign up for flood alerts via Facebook www.facebook.com/floodalerts.

See also log on to www.cumbria.gov.uk/communications/floodingadvice.asp

First published at 08:56, Saturday, 07 July 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk