‘As a team we have evacuated over 300 people and some of the elderly people were scared and cold but we managed to bring them to safety.
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The RNLI volunteers from South Wales include Jason Dunlop, from Penarth, Chris Missen, from Porthcawl, John Perring, from Port Talbot, Hugh Davies, from Barry Dock, and Sarah Lunn, from Angle.
There were no trains running between England Scotland after multi-million pound defences built after the 2007 floods failed under the pressure.
Water rescue technicians from Mereway and Wellingborough fire stations were deployed to Cumbria, taking with them a specialist water rescue boat unit and boat.
Firefighters and specialist equipment from the West Midlands have been sent to join the emergency flood response in Cumbria.
Adrian Holme, from Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, told the BBC the flood was “unprecedented” and “exceptionally challenging”.
It is believed that more than 100 people were evacuated from the town.
“Working alongside crews from Merseyside, Humberside, Staffordshire, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue and the RNLI, we’ve rescued hundreds of people from their homes and taken them to safety”.
RNLI volunteer Callum Robinson, who travelled to Cumbria from Rhyl to help the rescue effort, said: ‘Our team was first deployed to Kendal on Saturday night, then we were in Carlisle helping yesterday and then we have been in Cockermouth checking on flooded properties this morning (Monday 7 December). It’s heart-breaking to see what this has done to people’s homes, especially just before Christmas. I’ve been involved in six other flood rescue operations with the RNLI and this is by far the worst. Around 100mm of rain is expected Wednesday and Thursday across the flood-impacted region, with amounts up to 200 mm possible in mountainous areas.
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Local residents affected by or concerned about flooding can contact Floodline, open 24 hours a day, on 0345 988 1188.
