Floods Cause Chaos In Northern England (32 Pics)

Cumbria Floods Gallery

Over the past week heavy rainfall has ravaged northern England, with more than 1,000 homes flooded and several river crossings destroyed.

Police said that concerns over the safety of bridges have crippled the region’s road network. Army experts are now carrying out urgent checks on the safety of about 1,800 bridges.

A police officer was swept to his death Friday when a major bridge collapsed close to Cockermouth, the hardest-hit town.

Britain’s Met Office said a record 12.3 inches (314.4 millimeters) of rain had fallen near Cockermouth in 24 hours.

Military helicopters were scrambled Friday to winch people from rooftops, while debris floated down the town’s flooded main street.

Insurance claims in the Cumbria area are expected to be in the region of £50-100 million, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) has said.

Posted on November 23, 2009 | Filed Under Life