WCOC members affected by flooding?

[PG]

I'm wondering whether RJ and other WCOC members are impacted by flooding. He has been very helpful on the Printers thread, but silence today. I believe Cockermouth is the (one of) the focus(es) of WCOC activity and membership.

Anybody have any news? I hope everybody is OK.

[lindseyk]

I know Workington/Whitehaven and area have had no broadband connection all day today so hopefully this is the reason rather than members being flooded out. The Police were closing all bridges in the Workington area before High Tide this afternoon as a precaution.

[Wayward-O]

I maybe not best placed to provide the confidence that you're looking for, but those who are may all be affected by the broadband blackout of Workington / Cockermouth.

My understanding is that RJ lives a couple of miles upstream of the erstwhile Workington Northside bridge, on the north side and quite close to the river, so he could have been affected by the flooding.

I talked to my Dad yesterday who lives close to Cockermouth. He believes that a lot of utilities, including BT, had cables / pipes buried in the Northside bridge and that it's collapse has caused the broadband blackout (and also power loss) to many in the area. My Dad is without his broadband and the telephone quality is poor at present.

[The Cumbrian]

As you can see from the web and news it'a scene of devastation. Broadband back on in Whitehaven today. RJ does live very close (about 10ft horizontal and normally 10ft vertical) to the Derwent but I suspect the water may have got to them. I've tried ringing without success...I'd be amazed if we haven't had other members in Cockermouth affected too plus of course a lot of farmers whose land we use will have been hit badly.

[Wayward-O]

Just returned from British Schools - Interesting journey getting out of Cumbria. Both Cockermouth and Keswick schools unable to attend and, I'd suspect, some others (Ennerdale and Kinniside Junior School?). Received confirmation that RJ's house has been flooded. Our thoughts are with RJ and his wife and any other club members in this position.

[RJ]

Finally back on line!!! Many thanks for all your thoughts. Things sort of OK here, although the river did decide to change its course and visit the buildings. House a little wet, and several of the low lying areas that have been mapped now need major 'corrections'.

It is staggering how much the river changed. Nine orders of magnitude, wrt volume would not be an exaggeration! Everything that fell on the Central Lakes area around Borrowdale etc etc has come past our front door!

The Northside bridge was dramatic, but the much closer Calva/Seaton bridge is about to go. So with two footbridges as well there is now no access from north to south of the river. Hope the 'O' is going to be good on this side!!

[Tatty]

Glad to hear you're OK RJ. Hope Margaret copes with all the mess (and you as well of course!!)