200 stranded by floods in northern England
Last Updated: Thursday, November 19, 2009 | 8:57 PM ET
The Associated Press
Authorities are trying to rescue 200 people stranded by rising floodwater in a northern England tourist town on Thursday evening.
Police in Cockermouth, in England's picturesque Lake District, said three Royal Air Force helicopters were being used to evacuate people caught in the floods, and the British Coastguard rescue service was also using dinghies to navigate flooded streets.
Witnesses said fallen trees were seen floating down the town's main street and electricity had been cut off for 1,145 homes in the areat.
Britain's Meteorological Office said the area had seen a deluge of about 173 millimetres of rain in 24 hours.
The Lake District attracts about 15.5 million visitors each year.
Heavy rain also hit other parts of the United Kingdom earlier Thursday as the Environment Agency warned of flooding in large parts of the country.
Gale-force winds struck North Wales as severe flood warnings were issued in Cumbria and Wales.
Roads were closed and homeowners in Hawick, Scotland, prepared to counter potential flooding with sandbags.
High winds and heavy rain were forecast across many parts of Britain on Friday, according to the national Meteorological Office.
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