In Pictures: 'Britain Floods'

By James Wray Nov 20, 2009, 20:35 GMT

Derwent waters rage at Hedgewig Croft, Bridge End, Cumbria, in the north west of Britain 20 November 2009. Many rivers burst their banks bringing deluges of water through streets, forcing emergency services to evacuate locals. Hundreds of people have been evacuated from their homes in Scotland and northern Britain and one police officer is missing following severe flooding after torrential rain, the Environment Agency said. In the worst-hit regions of Cumbria in north-east Britain and in parts of Scotland, main roads were blocked, schools were closed and people fled from their homes, the agency said. More rainfall was forecast for Friday in Cumbria and the northern Lake District popular with tourists as 30 flood warnings remained in place. EPA/BRIAN STEWART

A submerged car as Derwent waters rage at Hedgewig Croft, Bridge End, Cumbria, in the north west of Britain 20 November 2009. Many rivers burst their banks bringing deluges of water through streets, forcing emergency services to evacuate locals. Hundreds of people have been evacuated from their homes in Scotland and northern Britain and one police officer is missing following severe flooding after torrential rain, the Environment Agency said. In the worst-hit regions of Cumbria in north-east Britain and in parts of Scotland, main roads were blocked, schools were closed and people fled from their homes, the agency said. More rainfall was forecast for Friday in Cumbria and the northern Lake District popular with tourists as 30 flood warnings remained in place. EPA/BRIAN STEWART

Residents of Cokermouth view a flooded street, Cumbria, Britain, 20 November 2009 while searching for residents to be rescued following heavy flooding. Hundreds of people have been evacuated from their homes in Scotland and northern Britain and one police officer is missing following severe flooding after torrential rain, the Environment Agency said. In the worst-hit regions of Cumbria in north-east Britain and in parts of Scotland, main roads were blocked, schools were closed and people fled from their homes, the agency said. More rainfall was forecast for Friday in Cumbria and the northern Lake District popular with tourists as 30 flood warnings remained in place. EPA/BRIAN STEWART

Residents of Cokermouth are rescued by the emergency services, Cumbria, Britain, 20 November 2009 while searching for residents to be rescued following heavy flooding. Hundreds of people have been evacuated from their homes in Scotland and northern Britain and one police officer is missing following severe flooding after torrential rain, the Environment Agency said. In the worst-hit regions of Cumbria in north-east Britain and in parts of Scotland, main roads were blocked, schools were closed and people fled from their homes, the agency said. More rainfall was forecast for Friday in Cumbria and the northern Lake District popular with tourists as 30 flood warnings remained in place. EPA/BRIAN STEWART

Residents of Cokermouth are taken to safety by the emergency services, Cokermouth, Britain, 20 November 2009 following heavy flooding. Hundreds of people have been evacuated from their homes in Scotland and northern Britain and one police officer is missing following severe flooding after torrential rain, the Environment Agency said. In the worst-hit regions of Cumbria in north-east Britain and in parts of Scotland, main roads were blocked, schools were closed and people fled from their homes, the agency said. More rainfall was forecast for Friday in Cumbria and the northern Lake District popular with tourists as 30 flood warnings remained in place. EPA/BRIAN STEWART

Emergency services take to Sullart Street in Cokermouth, Cumbria, Britain, 20 November 2009 while searching for residents to be rescued following heavy flooding. Hundreds of people have been evacuated from their homes in Scotland and northern Britain and one police officer is missing following severe flooding after torrential rain, the Environment Agency said. In the worst-hit regions of Cumbria in north-east Britain and in parts of Scotland, main roads were blocked, schools were closed and people fled from their homes, the agency said. More rainfall was forecast for Friday in Cumbria and the northern Lake District popular with tourists as 30 flood warnings remained in place. EPA/BRIAN STEWART

A rescue helicopter hovers above a flooded area as residents of Cokermouth are being rescued by emergency services, Cumbria, Britain, 20 November 2009 while searching for residents to be rescued following heavy flooding. Hundreds of people have been evacuated from their homes in Scotland and northern Britain and one police officer is missing following severe flooding after torrential rain, the Environment Agency said. In the worst-hit regions of Cumbria in north-east Britain and in parts of Scotland, main roads were blocked, schools were closed and people fled from their homes, the agency said. More rainfall was forecast for Friday in Cumbria and the northern Lake District popular with tourists as 30 flood warnings remained in place. EPA/BRIAN STEWART

An elderly resident of Cokermouth is rescued by the emergency services, Cokermouth, Britain, 20 November 2009 following heavy flooding. Hundreds of people have been evacuated from their homes in Scotland and northern Britain and one police officer is missing following severe flooding after torrential rain, the Environment Agency said. In the worst-hit regions of Cumbria in north-east Britain and in parts of Scotland, main roads were blocked, schools were closed and people fled from their homes, the agency said. More rainfall was forecast for Friday in Cumbria and the northern Lake District popular with tourists as 30 flood warnings remained in place. EPA/BRIAN STEWART

A view of Frankwell Car Park which has flooded due to the Severn River bursting its bank after heavy rainfall affected the area, in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, Britain, 20 November 2009. Hundreds of people have been evacuated from their homes in Scotland and northern Britain and one police officer is missing following severe flooding after torrential rain, the Environment Agency said 20 November. In the worst-hit regions of Cumbria in north-east Britain and inparts of Scotland, main roads were blocked, schools were closed and people fled from their homes, the agency said. EPA/STEVE WOODS UK AND IRELAND OUT