FOUR teams of firefighters from Merseyside have joined the rescue effort in Cumbria following severe floods in the area.
More than 200 people in the county, who were trapped in their homes by flood waters, have been rescued by emergency services after torrential rain caused rivers to burst their banks.
Merseyside Fire and Rescue service have sent a crew with a high volume pump to Carlisle to protect an electricity sub-station from the threat of flooding.
Two boat teams have also been sent to Cockermouth to assist Cumbria’s emergency services in checking all homes are evacuated. A third boat team has been sent to Penrith on standby.
Station manager Paul Hitchen, who is co-ordinating the team, said: “The water levels are receding and so far there hasn’t been any more rain. However, there is a lot of fast- running water which is incredibly dangerous.”
