The emergency services in England were searching homes today as residents braced themselves for more rain the wettest day on record caused chaos, flooding homes, sweeping away bridges and claiming the life of a policeman.
The “Biblical” downpour over Cumbria was the highest level of rainfall measured in England since records began, forecasters said, with 314mm - more than one foot of rain - falling in 24 hours.
Locals feared further downpours could set the situation back to square one with 30mm of rainfall expected from lunchtime onwards along with strong gales.
River levels were falling but four severe flood warnings remained in place across the county.
A thorough search of houses affected by the flooding began at first light on the third day of the rescue operation.
With 11 bridges in the area still closed because of fast flowing flood waters, members of the public were being asked not to put themselves in danger.
Walkers were also being asked to avoid the fells as mountain rescue teams assisted in rescuing people from homes in Cockermouth and Keswick.
Pc Bill Barker, who would have been celebrating his 45th birthday today, was killed as he directed motorists away from Northside bridge in Workington.
He disappeared into the swollen waters of the River Derwent as the bridge collapsed at about 4.40am yesterday.
A suggestion to rename the structure Barker Bridge in memory of the officer was gaining support on a Cumbrian floods Facebook page, where scores of people left messages in tribute.
The officer, from Egremont, served with Cumbria Police for 25 years and leaves a wife, Hazel, and four children.
She said her husband was her “forever friend” and “an amazing dad”, adding: “I have the comfort of knowing that Bill died doing the job he loved, and the fact that he was helping others is just typical Bill.” Cumbria Police chief constable Craig Mackey said Mr Barker was “a wonderful police officer and a real family man”.
His body was found on a beach in nearby Allonby.
A police spokesman said about 100 flood-affected people were being sheltered at the Sheep and Wool reception centre and in Cockermouth School while others had made arrangements to stay with friends and family.
Across Cumbria about 1,060 homes remained without power. And 22 houses in the Low Lawton area were being provided with bottled water after supplies were affected.
Both rivers that run through Cockermouth burst their banks, blocking roads and forcing more than 200 people to leave their homes.
Four bridges collapsed in the county and schools were used as makeshift community centres after the deluge struck.
It was estimated that 1,100 homes across the county were affected by flooding with several hundred people displaced.
Police said the break in the weather had provided emergency services with the chance to plan operations for the weekend.
A spokesman said: “Priorities will include protecting the people of Cumbria, checking the structural integrity of bridges and continuing to check affected properties as flood waters recede, as well as responding to specific calls for service.
PA