Cumbria deluge breaks historic rainfall record
The unprecedented downpour over Cumbria was the highest level of rainfall measured in the country since records began, forecasters said today.
The record-breaking rainfall - reaching 314mm (12.4 inches) in 24 hours - is the highest level witnessed in 44 years.
The reading taken from the Environment Agency's gauging station at Seathwaite Farm exceeds the 279.4mm (11in) recorded in 24 hours in Martinstown, Dorset, in July 1955.
Statistics compiled by MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, show the deluge is the greatest seen since meteorologists started using instruments to record rainfall - back in 1727.
Forecasters described the devastating rainfall over Cumbria as at "historical" levels for the country.
Environment Agency chairman Lord Smith was in Cockermouth this morning.
He said: "This is an extremely serious incident - our thoughts are with those people whose homes have been flooded.
"We have seen unprecedented rainfall, with what we believe is a record amount for a 24-hour period in England." The Environment Agency Floodline service has received more than 12,000 calls from members of the public over the last 48 hours and issued more than 43,000 flood alerts via phone, text, email and fax.
Julian Mayes, a forecaster with MeteoGroup, said the levels of rain in Cumbria were equivalent to five or six months of rainfall typically experienced over London and the south east of England.
"The fact that there's eight feet of water in some places is not that surprising," he said.
"Primarily, it's the sheer quantity in the last 36 hours that has caused the flooding.
"But in November the ground is saturated. The rain can't get into the soil, it just runs off.
"That means rivers rise very quickly and suddenly."
Mr Mayes said the river levels across Cumbria should stabilise throughout the day.
Notable 24 hour rainfall totals in the UK, compiled by MeteoGroup UK:
* Seathwaite, Cumbria, November 19 2009 - 314mm*
* Martinstown, Dorset, July 18 1955 - 279.4mm
* Bruton (Sexey's School), Somerset, June 28 1917 - 242.8mm
* Upwey (Friar Waddon), Dorset, July 18 1955 - 241.3mm
* Cannington, Somerset, August 16 1924 - 238.8mm
* Loch Sloy Main Adit, Strathclyde, January 17 1974 - 238.4mm
* Long Barrow, Devon, August 15 1952 - 228.6mm
* Upwey (Higher Well), Dorset, July 18 1955 - 228.6mm
* Bruton (King's School), Somerset, June 28 1917 - 215.4mm
* Timberscombe, Somerset, June 28 1917 - 213.1mm
* Rhondda (Lluest Wen Reservoir), Glamorgan, November 11 1929 - 211.1mm
* Upwey (Elwell), Dorset, July 18 1955 - 211.1mm
* Kinlochquoich, Highland, October 11 1916 - 208.3mm
* Seathwaite, Cumbria, November 12 1897 - 204.0mm
* Camelford, Cornwall, July 8 1957 - 203.2mm
* Bruton (Pitcombe Vicarage), Somerset, June 28 1917 -200.7mm
* Wynford House, Dorset, July 18 1955 - 200.7mm
* Otterham, near Boscastle, August 16 2004 - 200.4mm
*Figure recorded by the Environment Agency
Comments
Share your thoughts and debate the big issues
Please be respectful when making a comment and adhere to our Community Guidelines.
You can find our Community Guidelines in full here.
-
Newest first
-
Oldest first
-
Most liked
{{/moreThanOne}}Please be respectful when making a comment and adhere to our Community Guidelines.
You can find our Community Guidelines in full here.
-
Newest first
-
Oldest first
-
Most liked
{{/moreThanOne_p}}Follow comments
Vote
Report Comment
Subscribe to Independent Premium to debate the big issues
Want to discuss real-world problems, be involved in the most engaging discussions and hear from the journalists? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Already registered? Log inReport Comment
Delete Comment
About The Independent commenting
Independent Premium Comments can be posted by members of our membership scheme, Independent Premium. It allows our most engaged readers to debate the big issues, share their own experiences, discuss real-world solutions, and more. Our journalists will try to respond by joining the threads when they can to create a true meeting of independent Premium. The most insightful comments on all subjects will be published daily in dedicated articles. You can also choose to be emailed when someone replies to your comment.
The existing Open Comments threads will continue to exist for those who do not subscribe to Independent Premium. Due to the sheer scale of this comment community, we are not able to give each post the same level of attention, but we have preserved this area in the interests of open debate. Please continue to respect all commenters and create constructive debates.