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Residents are transported in a lifeboat to avoid floodwater in northern England - Source: Reuters -
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A British policeman was killed after being swept away when a
bridge collapsed during floods which followed torrential rain in
northerwestern areas.
The officer was killed as flood defences in Cumbrian towns were
overwhelmed by unprecedented downpours that officials said could be
expected only once in 1,000 years.
The Environment Agency said 314 mm had fallen within 24 hours in
one area, a record for England. The Meteorological Office said the
amount of rain expected for all of November had fallen in one
day.
Have a look at the images of the floods.
"It was described to me this morning, this particular flood, as of
biblical proportions," Tony Cunningham, MP for Workington, one of
the worst affected towns, told Sky News.
Cumbrian police said the body of Police Constable Bill Barker, 44,
who disappeared when a bridge in Workington collapsed, had been
found on a beach in West Cumbria.
Father of four Barker, an officer for 25 years who was due to
celebrate his birthday on Saturday, had been directing motorists
off the bridge when it collapsed.
"Over the last few days, Cumbria has faced some of the most severe
weather conditions ever and Bill was amongst the hundreds of
officers and staff dedicated to rescuing local people and ensuring
the safety of our communities," said Chief Constable Craig
Mackey.
"Bill is a hero who died saving the lives of others and our
thoughts are with his family at this devastating time."
Lifeboats, Royal Air Force helicopters and the military were
helping to rescue hundreds of people from their homes in towns and
villages across the picturesque Lake District. Media reports said
some trapped residents had been forced to smash through their roofs
to escape.
Police said more than 250 were now sheltering in rescue centres and
more than 1,400 homes were without power.
Britain has been hit by severe flooding in recent years, raising
questions about the impact of global warming. Last year Britain saw
its wettest summer since records began in 1914 while floods in 2007
affected 55,000 homes and businesses and left an insurance bill of
around 3 billion pounds.
The Met Office said there was a better forecast for Saturday but
that another 40 mm of rain could fall on Sunday.
