13/12/2025
****Shared on behalf of Cumbria Local Resilience Forum****
Agencies across Cumbria have this afternoon declared themselves on standby for a major incident ahead of heavy and persistent rainfall forecast across Cumbria.
The Met Office currently have an amber warning of rain in place between 6am on Sunday and 6pm on Monday for a section of the county, predominantly over the central and Western Lake District area and also West Cumbria. There is also a yellow warning of rain covering the entire county in place between 6pm today and 6pm on Monday.
The current forecast is likely to lead to difficult driving conditions, wider travel disruption, possible power outages and potential flooding of homes and businesses.
Residents are asked to:
- Consider their travel plans, allowing extra time for journeys and to determine whether travel is necessary during adverse conditions. If you must travel during this time do so with caution – pack your car with essentials, plan your route, and listen to travel updates.
- Speak to vulnerable relatives, friends, and neighbours – advise them and ensure they are prepared in case of power outages.
- Do not drive through flood water if coming across flooding – take an alternative route.
- Check your torch batteries, radio and try to ensure phones are charged up in advance of the worst-affected times.
Chief Superintendent Carl Patrick, of Cumbria Constabulary, is chairing the Local Resilience Forum response.
He said: “The public can be reassured that our multi-agency response to what may occur over the next few days is underway.
“Emergency services and other partners including the Environment Agency, Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness Council are doing all they can to ensure our county is prepared for the potential impacts and ensure people are safe.
“At this early stage, we would ask people to ensure they are prepared should power outages occur and to check on vulnerable relatives, friends, or neighbours ahead of the peak of the prolonged heavy rainfall which is forecast. We are also encouraging people to consider their travel plans for the next few days and decide whether such plans are necessary as road conditions will be challenging.”
Andy Brown, Environment Agency Area Duty Manager, said: “Heavy, persistent rainfall means significant river and surface water flooding impacts are probable in Cumbria from Saturday evening into Monday.
“Environment Agency teams are out on the ground and will support local authorities in responding to surface water flooding. We urge people not to drive though flood water – it is often deeper than it looks and just 30cm of flowing water is enough to float your car.
“If you are flooded, call 999 if in immediate danger and follow advice from emergency services.”
If you are experiencing any weather-related issue, a list of partner agency contact details can be found here: https://www.cumbria.police.uk/police-forces/cumbria-constabulary/areas/campaigns/campaigns/weather-safety/
Keep an eye on the latest flood updates on the Environment Agency’s website: https://check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk/alerts-and-warnings
You can also call their Floodline for advice - 0345 988 1188.
Keep up to date with the weather at: https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/
Advice for Cumberland Council area:
If you see any issues on the roads, please report them to the Cumberland Council Highways team at https://www.cumberland.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-transport/streets-roads-and-pavements/road-maintenance-closures-and-improvements/report-problem-street-or-road Or call the Cumberland Council Highways Hotline on: 0300 373 3736.
You can also contact the council on 0300 373 3730 for help and support. This line is available 24 hours.
More information on travel advice and how to be winter ready can be found at: https://www.cumberland.gov.uk/weather-ready
Advice for the Westmorland and Furness area
If you have any highways concerns to report, the quickest and easiest way to do this is via the authority website at: https://www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/parking-streets-and-transport/streets-roads-and-pavements/road-maintenance-closures-and-improvements/report-street-or-road-damage
Flooding advice can be found here: https://www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/planning-and-building-control/environment-and-planning/flooding-management-and-prevention/flooding-support
Winter Ready advice can be found here: https://www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/winterready
Advice from United Utilities
For water supply issues, contact United Utilities on 0345 672 3723.
Customers are advised that they can sign up to the Priority Service Register – which is a free to join and enables utility companies, including energy suppliers, electricity, gas and water networks to look after customers who have extra communication, access or safety needs. For further details, please visit: https://www.thepsr.co.uk/
For UU specific support, please visit: https://www.unitedutilities.com/priorityservices
Advice from SP Electricity North West
SP Electricity North West offers extra support for those who need it through its Extra Care register. This could be for those who require electricity for medical needs, are older or have young children at home. For more information and to register call 105 or visit: https://www.enwl.co.uk/extracare
For the latest information on power cuts, please visit: https://www.enwl.co.uk/power-cuts/power-cuts-power-cuts-live-power-cut-information-fault-list/fault-list/
