British police are investigating the deaths of three people in an area ravaged by heavy flooding. The victims died in Carlisle in Cumbria where thousands have been evacuated from their homes and power has been cut after heavy rains and severe gales.
Another two people were missing in West Yorkshire and Morayshire, Scotland, after they swept away in swollen rivers. Gales and heavy rain are expected to cause more chaos throughout Britain after roads closed, lorries overturned and trees uprooted yesterday.
Gusts of up to 90mph were recorded, and several inches of rain swamped parts of the country
After a brief lull early today, more heavy rain and gale-force winds of 60mph are predicted for western parts of Britain. Western Scotland could get up to an inch of rain by the end of today and downpours are also expected in the North West of England.
Cumbria was today braced for more rain after thousands of people spent a grim night away from home after they were forced to flee the floods. Inspector Norman Atkinson, of Cumbria Police, confirmed they are investigating three deaths in the city.
People were rescued by helicopter from the rooftops of their flooded houses or picked up in boats as cars floated down streets. Police said several thousand people had abandoned their homes without help from emergency services. Fifteen families were airlifted to safety by helicopter, said a police spokesman. A power cut plunged the stricken city into darkness overnight.
Meanwhile a search has resumed today for a man who was swept away in a swollen river in West Yorkshire.
Hazardous conditions prevented emergency services reaching him yesterday and police today said there had been no sightings of him since.
The man was swept away in the River Aire at Apperley Bridge, near Bradford and despite police being able to briefly see the man they were unable to reach him because of the treacherous conditions.
An initial search involving the West Yorkshire Police helicopter and launch failed to find him and police search and rescue teams are now preparing to resume the search.
A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said today: "There's been no change in the circumstances and we've still not been able to locate the man."
PA