On the fifteenth anniversary of the floods that devastated sections of west Cumbria, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner David Allen has paid tribute to PC Bill Barker and the emergency services.
Fifteen years ago, rivers, streams and becks overflowed after record rainfall was recorded in Cumbria. About a month’s worth of rain fell in a matter of hours with The River Derwent flooding Keswick and the surrounding fields and villages before moving downstream to Cockermouth where it met the River Cocker and flooded the town. It then continued towards Workington, where Seaton and Barepot were severely hit.
Communities were forced to pack up their most prized possessions and leave their homes which were either at risk of being flooded or already underwater.
"The anniversary of the floods in 2009 reminds us of the spirit and bravery of our county." David Allen said in his comment.
“Whether it was police, fire and rescue, or neighbours watching out for one another, Cumbrians banded together and helped one another.
“I knew PC Bill Barker during my time as a Sergeant at Workington, Bill was respected by all of us that knew him, and he had a great sense of public duty. Bill paid the ultimate cost when Workington’s Northside Bridge collapsed losing his life in the line of duty protecting us in the area that he lived in and loved.
“The emergency services will always be there and will always put themselves in harm’s way to help the public they serve. We have a pact: they protect us and we, as their community, in turn, look after them.
“I will always be thankful that emergency services were there for me and my family during the two floods that I experienced at my Carlisle home in 2005 and 2015.”
Although Cumbria is still a safe county, a county like ours is always at risk of flooding; in May, flooding devastated Stockdalewath, and in October at least eight town-centre shops in Ulverston were flooded.
Residents who are concerned about future floods are advised to monitor the GOV.UK ‘monitor for floods page’ online and follow Cumbria Police on Facebook, as they will provide real-time flooding alerts.
We can never be too prepared when it comes to flooding.