Clean-up underway in Britain after floods, more storms expected

[Pastor Dale Morgan]

*Perilous Times and Global Warming

Clean-up underway in Britain after floods, more storms expected*

LONDON, Nov 23 (AFP) Nov 23, 2009

Clean-up efforts were underway Sunday in flood-hit towns following the
heaviest downpours ever recorded in England, as fears mounted for a
woman thought swept into a swollen river in Wales.

Some 314 millimetres (more than one foot) of rain fell in 24 hours --
the highest level since records began -- over Cumbria as torrential
rains swept across Britain and Ireland.

The Environment Agency said 65 flood warnings were in force across
England and Wales, with four severe warnings in Cumbria in northwest
England, the area hardest hit.

About 60 people were still sheltering in reception centres and more than
700 properties remained without power.

An urgent safety review of Cumbria's 1,800 bridges was under way with
emergency services warning one bridge in the coastal town of Workington
could collapse at any time.

The Calva Bridge's closure cut off the north side of the town.

Workington's other bridge has collapsed, taking the life of a policeman
on Friday who was diverting motorists away from it.

"We have concerns about people who have not got prescriptions,
medication, the medical centre is down to its last nappies for babies,"
said Tony Cunningham, member of parliament for Workington.

"I spoke to residents...they are distraught at what's happening. My
major concern is residents who are cut off. Things are getting desperate."

The floods in Cumbria and southern Scotland are expected to trigger
insurance claims of 50 million to 100 million pounds (55-110 million
euros, 82-165 million dollars), the Association of British Insurers said.

Meanwhile a search was underway for a woman believed to have been swept
away by the swollen River Usk in Brecon, south Wales, late on Saturday.

"A member of public called the police when they saw what happened," said
Inspector Alun Samuel of Dyfed-Powys police.

"It is a very serious search with dog handlers, specialist units and
helicopters," he said.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown surveyed the grim aftermath on a visit
Saturday to the badly hit Cumbria town of Cockermouth, with houses
filled with muddy water, silt and sludge carpeting the roads and cars
left awkwardly where the floods left them.

The floods forced hundreds of people out of their homes and left a
police officer dead after the bridge on which he was standing was swept
away.

Cockermouth town centre was cordoned off as surveyors, structural
engineers, utility workers and Environment Agency staff continued work
to start the clean-up.

Local businessman Paul Cusack said: "Today should have been the
Christmas lights switch on in Cockermouth. The feeling is a mixture of
devastation and determination, to get it all put right again, people in
this area are very resilient."

In Devon, southwest England, a canoeist died Saturday after being pulled
from the River Dart, which was swollen by the heavy rains. The
46-year-old man became trapped against a tree, emergency services said.