The speed and ferocity with which the floods took hold of our area has left the community in a state of shock and our county in various states of devastation. Unprecedented levels of water flowed through the rivers causing major flooding in many areas, particularly Workington, Keswick and Cockermouth.

As the waters started to rise we had staff out and about on Thursday night in often very challenging conditions, delivering flood gates and sandbags and checking up on vulnerable tenants and high risk schemes.

Housing and floating support staff were out all weekend checking on our tenants and clients.All of our affected tenants have been contacted and given temporary accommodation where necessary.

Technical and finance staff have been agreeing funding with our loss adjusters and the contracts for the repair work.

The CRAC Club from the Carlisle Men’s Schemes have put themselves forward to help with the clean-up operation and are now working in Keswick with local residents to start to restore some order to what has been considerable chaos.

Furniture stores have been putting together furniture packs for if needed and, in one case, delivering goods for one of the reception centres.A flood project has been set-up and you can contact us on 01900 68648 if you need help with replacing furniture or if you have any donations.

We are pleased to report good progress on drying out of properties and building work has commenced. Happily, some tenants will start moving back into their properties in Keswick on the 8th of February.

To see photos of the floods please click here