THE army and 700 Environment Agency staff have been put on standby as Cumbria braces itself for more flooding amid confirmation that this December is the wettest on record.

Heavy rainfall is expected late on Christmas Day into Boxing Day, causing a risk of flooding on already saturated ground.

The Environment Agency has transported more than 2km of temporary flood barriers and more than 20 extra pumps, four of which are capable of moving 1,000 litres of water per second, to the north of England in anticipation of the wet weather.

The Environment Agency is also checking and maintaining flood defences, clearing blockages in watercourses and monitoring water levels. 

Today, the Met Office confirmed this is the wettest December on record for Cumbria since records began in 1910.

On Monday and Tuesday, rain falling on saturated ground led to a further rise in river levels in Cumbria.

This caused flooding to roads and properties previously flooded in Appleby, Glenridding and Burneside.

Record rainfall

Since December 1, many areas in Cumbria have experienced more than two-and-a-half times their expected monthly rainfall.

The wettest December on record for Cumbria follows the county’s second wettest November on record.

At Keswick, 472mm of rain has fallen since December 1, the long-term monthly average for December is 173mm.

At Shap, 677mm has fallen compared with its long-term monthly average for December of 215.6mm.

On Saturday December 5, 341mm of rain fell in 24 hours at Honister Pass -  a UK record for a 24-hour period.

Paul Mustow, deputy director in flood and coastal risk management at the Environment Agency, said: “Our thoughts are with all those who have had their homes and businesses flooded, some several times, in the run up to Christmas.

"Our operational teams are working throughout the Christmas period to take action to reduce the potential impacts of flooding and support those communities affected."