Residents in Cumbria are being told to prepare for potential flooding as heavy rainfall is set to hit the county.

The Environment Agency has issued 14 flood alerts for Cumbria with people being warned river levels could rise from tonight but it is most likely problems will start tomorrow afternoon and into the evening.

The alerts, the lowest warning level, are for:

  • Lower river Eden (in and around Carlisle)
  • Middle river Eden (Lazonby area)
  • Rivers Brathay, Rothay and Winster (Windermere area)
  • Rivers Caldew and Petteril (Plumpton/Stockdalewath area)
  • Rivers Kent and Bela (Kendal area)
  • Rivers Lowther and Eamont (south of Penrith)
  • Rivers Wampool and Ellen (Maryport and north Allerdale)
  • Upper river Eden (Appleby area)
  • Rivers Cocker, Marron and Derwent (Cockermouth area)
  • Rivers Duddon, Crake and Mill Beck (Broughton-in-Furness area)
  • Rivers Esk and Irthing (Longtown and Kirklinton area)
  • Rivers Greta, St Johns Beck and Bassenthwaite lake (Keswick area)
  • Upper River Derwent, Stonethwaite Beck and Derwent Water (south of Keswick)

The Environment Agency has added more flood warnings, the second most severe level, to Cumbria's list.

They are:

  • Dragley Beck at Ulverston from Dragley Beck Bridge on Well Lane downstream to South Ulverston
  • Poaka Beck, The Yarl, Hagg Gill and Butts Beck at Dalton in Furness including Town Centre, Queen St
  • Poaka Beck, The Yarl, Hagg Gill and Butts Beck at Dalton in Furness, other areas at risk
  • River Ehen at Egremont, Bleach Green, Ennerdale Mill, Springfield Rd, Vale View, Wood Bank
  • River Greta at Keswick, Fitz Park and Riverside Flats Areas
  • River Greta at Keswick
  • Keswick Campsite, Rugby Club and Quinta
  • Wiza Beck & Black Beck at Wigton, Station Rd
  • River Caldew at Cummersdale, Factory
  • Rivers Ehen, Calder, Irt and Esk (Gosforth, Seascale, Egremont area)

An Environment Agency spokesperson said that heavy and persistent rain is expected across parts of northern England tomorrow and places could see between 50 and 70mm or rain.

It could reach up to 100mm over higher ground.

"There remains some uncertainty with regards to the exact location of the heaviest rain," the spokesperson said.

"Heavy rain will be accompanied by strong winds across many parts of the county.

"Rivers in Cumbria are currently very responsive to rainfall and river levels have risen as a result of rainfall last night.

"Levels have risen slightly through today, but will rise again this evening as further rain falls ahead of the main front tomorrow.

"River response expected from tomorrow morning with main impacts expected tomorrow afternoon and into the evening."

Susan Mossop, flood warning duty officer, said: "Environment Agency staff are continuing to monitor river and lake levels and we also have staff out on the ground checking assets, removing any blockages from watercourses and clearing debris screens prior to the rainfall."