The Flood Hub

Summary of Hydrometry & Telemetry network

Overview

Heavy and persistent rainfall fell over Cumbria and Lancashire between the 26th and 29th October 2021, significant rainfall totals fell over Central and Western Cumbria in particular. As a result Flood warnings were issued at a number of locations and unfortunately a number of communities and properties were flooded.

Rainfall

Significant rainfall totals were recorded across Cumbria and Lancashire for the 72 hour period between the 26th and 29th October with some sites receiving more than a months’ worth of rainfall within this 3 day period. The table below summarises the 72 hour total rainfall and comparison with the LTA (1961-1990) monthly rainfall for October at a few selected sites and catchments across CLA that had either Flood Warning Areas activated or any notable totals.

Raingauge	Nearby active FW area	October LTA (mm)	71hr total (09:00 26th Oct – 09:00 29th) – mm	72hr period % of LTA
Ennerdale	River Ehen at Egremont, Bleach Green, Ennerdale Mill, Bridge End, Vale View, Wood Bank, Rugby Club	212	165.2	77.9
Ennerdale Black Sail	River Ehen at Egremont, Bleach Green, Ennerdale Mill, Bridge End, Vale View, Wood Bank, Rugby Club	310	276	89.0
Summergrove	River Ehen at Egremont, Bleach Green, Ennerdale Mill, Bridge End, Vale View, Wood Bank, Rugby Club	148.2	130	87.7
Dalehead	River Greta at Keswick, Keswick Campsite, Rugby Club and Quinta	246	240.4	97.7
Honister Pass	River Greta at Keswick, Keswick Campsite, Rugby Club and Quinta	388.4	399.2	102.8
Seathwaite Farm	River Greta at Keswick, Keswick Campsite, Rugby Club and Quinta	364	340.8	93.6
Thirlmere	River Greta at Keswick, Keswick Campsite, Rugby Club and Quinta	247.5	206	83.2
Kentmere	River Kent at Burneside, Steels Row and Carling steps	215.2	171	79.5
Tower Wood	Windermere (Lake levels)	176.4	117.27	66.5
Mickleden	River Rothay at Grasmere, White Bridge and Stock Lane	315	258.6	82.1
Brathay Hall	River Rothay at Grasmere, White Bridge and Stock Lane	220.5	177.6	80.5

*no active Flood Waring area but notable rainfall amounts

Conistion Coppermines	Crake	279.3	322	115.3
Ulpha	Duddon	234.9	202.8	86.3
Brotherswater	Eden	177.6	256	92.7

 

Rainfall total comparisons for previous flood incidents can been seen below for selected sites against two of the major floods to affect the area in 2009 and 2015 to give an illustration of the magnitude of the recent incident:

Raingauge	72hr total (09:00 26th – 09:00 29th Oct 2021) – mm	72hr total from Storm Desmond – 09:00 3rd to 09:00 6th Dec 2015 (mm)	72hr total from 09:00 17th to 09:00 20th Nov 2009 (mm)
Ennerdale	165.2	98	181.6
Ennerdale Black Sail	276	282.4	364.8
Summergrove	130	60.6	81.2
Dalehead	240.4	376.8	292.8
Honister Pass	399.2	427.8	454.4
Seathwaite Farm	340.8	277.8	456.4
Thirlmere	206	450.2	265.8
Kentmere	171	255.8	202.2
Tower Wood	117.27	174	160.7
Mickledon	258.6	231.2	309.2
Brathay Hall	177.6	273.6	238.6
Ulpha	202.8	103	230.4
Brotherswater	256	419.1	293.2

 

River Levels and Flows

A number of catchments across South, central and western Cumbria recorded significant high river levels in the top 10 on record. In particular in the Derwent, Cocker, Ehen, Leven, Duddon and Crake catchments appear to have experienced the top 5 highest levels/flows ever.

 

*** Please be aware that all data provided in this report has not been validated and therefore subject to change following the validation process***

For more information, download the Environment Agency Summary here.