The bad NW flooding - a map?

[Graham E]

Hi Forum,

I'm planning on taking the missus up to the lakes, and so I am after a map of the areas that are / were affected by the floods this last week. As much as it would be very interesting to see the aftermath, I don't think that would be very "romantic".

I've scoured the news (rubbish), and the environment agency (useful if you live there, a tourist like me down't know areas well enough to easily interpret).

Anyone got a linky please?

Thanks

Graham

[Parrot of Doom]

Just look at the OS maps and pay particular attention to the elevation around rivers.

Or just stay away from areas with rivers.

[10 Pence Short]

Don't go to Keswick or Cockermouth. Avoid Ulverston. That leaves you with a little bit around Ambleside/Windermere (assuming the Lake has gone down and is no longer flooding Bowness).

Honestly, I would avoid The Lakes for a couple of months until things settle down. Although Cockermouth got all the press attention, large parts of the area suffered huge flooding issues that will make travelling anyway a major PITA for a little while.

[Graham E]

Thanks guys

[rhinochopig]

Graham E said:

Hi Forum,

I'm planning on taking the missus up to the lakes, and so I am after a map of the areas that are / were affected by the floods this last week. As much as it would be very interesting to see the aftermath, I don't think that would be very "romantic".

I've scoured the news (rubbish), and the environment agency (useful if you live there, a tourist like me down't know areas well enough to easily interpret).

Anyone got a linky please?

Thanks

Graham

Why not do the Dales or Moors. As 10p says the lakes are probably best avoided at the moment unless you know it well. It could still get worse!

[Graham E]

I see your point re. dales and moors. If we hadn't done c. 6k miles along those roads this year, I'd agree it'd be an alternative romantic sentiment. However, the missus would probably interpret as me "playing with cars" again =)

[pmanson]

My Wife's uncle lives in the Lake District... Had an email from him yesterday morning:

what he said said:

I have had an interesting time in the floods, been perfectly safe here, they knew where to build houses in the 16th century. Lost power for a while as the Lake submerged the junction, the head of the valley still out and running on generators and the Lake also over the road and the Wasdale Head Inn only accessible by tractor for a couple of days. Main road also out at various places involving detours for fuel and food. I was called in by Mountain Rescue to act as co-ordinator. Overheard one of the team leaders say "Get Howard or Bill in as they can tell people to **** off when neccessary." Not sure that is a copliment! Very proud of our lads (and lasses) and all the volunteers, amazed that there has only been one fatality so far. Having been up most of the night again I am off for some shut eye

[the_lone_wolf]

Graham E said:

The bad NW flooding - a map?

Sorry...

[160steve]

You swine, i just lol ed in a silent office!

[rhinochopig]

swerni said:

So do you think doing Scafell Pike this weekend is a bad idea?

If you like waterfalls and being licked by mountain rescue dogs.

[Roman]

Penrith or Kirkby Lonsdale would be your best bet at the moment. Some central and Northwestern routes are restricted and congested by diverted civil & emergency services vehicles, local commuters and people coming to see the floods.

[bimsb6]

take a boat .

[10 Pence Short]

swerni said:

So do you think doing Scafell Pike this weekend is a bad idea?

If you're going from the Wasdale side, you might be able to find your way there via Kirkstone Pass, Ambleside, over Wrynose and Hardknott (though it was closed very recently for resurfacing and cattle grid removal, which might still be ongoing looking at the recent weather) through Eskdale and around the corner to Wasdale. I believe Wasdale head was only accessible via tractor last week, though.

The other way would be A66 to Whitehaven then down the coast and across, which is probably more realistic.

If you intend to go from the Seathwaite side, bear in mind a large part of the road through Borrowdale towards Seathwaite may still be under water and/or impassable as could the tiny road leading to the farm. You could possibly head over from the A66 over the pass into Buttermere, but might find that way restricted at some point (the carparks on that side were the ones that filled up with water during the Mountain Marathon debacle last year or the year before).

A lot will depend on the saturation of the ground, the lake levels and how badly damaged the small roads were by the flowing water over them. Assume nothing!

[DrTre]

10 Pence Short said:

swerni said:

So do you think doing Scafell Pike this weekend is a bad idea?

If you're going from the Wasdale side, you might be able to find your way there via Kirkstone Pass, Ambleside, over Wrynose and Hardknott (though it was closed very recently for resurfacing and cattle grid removal, which might still be ongoing looking at the recent weather) through Eskdale and around the corner to Wasdale. I believe Wasdale head was only accessible via tractor last week, though.

The other way would be A66 to Whitehaven then down the coast and across, which is probably more realistic.

If you intend to go from the Seathwaite side, bear in mind a large part of the road through Borrowdale towards Seathwaite may still be under water and/or impassable as could the tiny road leading to the farm. You could possibly head over from the A66 over the pass into Buttermere, but might find that way restricted at some point (the carparks on that side were the ones that filled up with water during the Mountain Marathon debacle last year or the year before).

A lot will depend on the saturation of the ground, the lake levels and how badly damaged the small roads were by the flowing water over them. Assume nothing!

Was supposed to be going to Eskdale this weekend, no go.

A66 was closed jsut south of Whitehaven, was advised to go to Egremont then down to pick up the A595. Wasn't happening either.

Wrynose/Hardknott def still closed.

[AJI]

here is a website with good photos of the flooding:
http://www.stridingedge.net/Walking%20Diaries/2009...

I'm a 'local' and agree with what has been said already.
The bassenthwaite area (including cockermouth), and windermere areas I would say not to go there until things clear up and clean up.

There is a lot of water coming off the hills and the ground is generally very soft and saturated at the moment. There is also debris washed off the hills onto the mountain roads in some areas. And many field areas still holding a lot of standing water.

[10 Pence Short]

I did the Seathwaite-Scafell walk about 2 weeks ago so was itching to get back up there to see the difference (it will be immense), but common sense and a lack of being able to drive myself there has kept me away.

[rhinochopig]

10 Pence Short said:

I did the Seathwaite-Scafell walk about 2 weeks ago so was itching to get back up there to see the difference (it will be immense), but common sense and a lack of being able to drive myself there has kept me away.

Totally O/T when do you get your licence back?

[10 Pence Short]

End of April, though a situation at work means I am possibly going to try and get the ban reduced by a couple of months.

[rhinochopig]

10 Pence Short said:

End of April, though a situation at work means I am possibly going to try and get the ban reduced by a couple of months.

Great news. Are you finding yourself perusing the classifieds more frequently as the date gets closer or are you off performance cars for a while?

[MitchT]

Graham E said:

I'm planning on taking the missus up to the lakes

Is that the "watersports" equivalent of the OXO Tower euphemism?

Sorry, someone had to