Flood 2015 Dec 5th - 594 properties flooded

2015 Main Street Mayo looks over submerged cars Cocker Derwent flood 5 Dec 2015

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2015 December 5-6th 594 properties flooded

From Record of Floods in Cockermouth – Cockermouth History

December 2015 was the wettest calendar month on record for the UK, with much of northern England receiving double the average December rainfall. This also followed a particularly wet November and as such, much of the ground within the Cumbria catchments was already saturated.

From the 4th to the 7th of December there was a period of prolonged, intense rainfall caused by Storm Desmond. Over this period, new 24 hour and 48 hour rainfall records were set for the UK. Both of these were within Cumbria and broke the previous records, also within Cumbria, set during the November 2009 floods.

On 5th  and 6th  December 2015, 594 properties suffered flooding. The area affected by the flooding is shown in Figure 2. The main impact of this flooding can be attributed to the River Derwent, rather than both rivers, following Storm Desmond. This storm caused 36 hours of intense rainfall leading to high river levels that overtopped and outflanked flood defences at a number of locations within the town.

The extent of the flood is similar to that of the 2009 event, however, flood depths tended to be lower since raised defences on both the Rivers Derwent and Cocker were able to hold back flows for longer, and increased the capacity of the channel.

Cumbria hit by flooding after heavy rain – BBC News 

Storm Desmond: Defences against indefensible floods https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-35003649

Storm Desmond: More heavy rain hitting Cumbria

Storm Desmond: More heavy rain hitting Cumbria – BBC News

Storm Desmond ‘overwhelmed Cockermouth flood defences

Storm Desmond ‘overwhelmed Cockermouth flood defences’ – BBC News

2015 Storm Desmond Cockermouth flood map   page 9 map

In 2015 Cumbria County Council installed a new surface water storage system under Main Street. The scheme is designed to reduce flood risk to a 1% AEP event and consists of enlarged man holes and pipe work. The flood event on the 5th -6th December was of a greater magnitude than the Cockermouth Flood Risk Management Scheme defences were designed to defend against, meaning that defences were overtopped and outflanked. In some locations however, defences were successful in reducing the damage, delayed flooding and gave residents additional time to prepare and reduce the impact of the flood.

See
https://www.cumbria.gov.uk/eLibrary/Content/Internet/536/6181/42774103411.pdf
page 8 table 2

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2009 floods
2015 Main Street rescue team waist deep boat with distraught victims Cocker Derwent flood 5 Dec 2015
2009 floods
2015 South Street bridge debris makes dam Rubbybanks Cocker flood 5 Dec 2015
2015 Aerial Derwent Cocker Peter Smith 5 Dec 2015 p4
2015 Aerial Derwent Cocker flood. Cumbria County Council Cockermouth S.19 Flood Investigation Report. Photo from taken by Peter Smith. https://www.cumbria.gov.uk/eLibrary/Content/Internet/536/6181/42774103411.pdf
2015 Challoner Street force of flood flow ripped tarmac off surface 5 Dec 2015
2015 Challoner Street force of flood flow ripped tarmac off surface 5 Dec 2015
2015 Dec flood map cumbria gov Cockermouth Flood investigation report P9 5 Dec 2015 p4
Flood map from Cumbria gov Cockermouth Flood investigation report page 9 5 Dec 2015
2015 Gote Road Garage aerial cricket ground behind to left of hedge flood to first floor Dec 2015 p4
2015 Gote Road Garage aerial cricket ground behind to left of hedge flood to first floor Dec 2015
2015 Gote Road junction to Papcastle aerial Cocker Derwent flood 5 Dec 2015
2015 Gote Road junction to Papcastle aerial Cocker Derwent flood 5 Dec 2015
2015 Gote Road Sandair cricket ground flooded 5 Dec 2015
2015 Gote Road Sandair cricket ground flooded 5 Dec 2015
2015 Gote Road towards Gote Brow flood 5 Dec 2015
2015 Gote Road towards Gote Brow flood 5 Dec 2015
2015 Main Street closed diversion up Station Street flood 5 Dec 2015
2015 Main Street closed diversion up Station Street flood 5 Dec 2015
2015 Main Street Court House walkway at Honest Lawyer restaurant Cocker flood 5 Dec 2015 p4
2015 Main Street Court House walkway at Honest Lawyer restaurant Cocker flood 5 Dec 2015
2015 Main Street flood but temp Lloyds Bank in Sainsbury car park Cocker flood 5 Dec 2015 p4
2015 Main Street flood but temp Lloyds Bank in Sainsbury car park Cocker flood 5 Dec 2015
2015 Main Street flood Mills Newsagent car floated through the window Dec 2015
2015 Main Street flood Mills Newsagent car floated through the window Dec 2015
2015 Main Street flood with Christmas Tree and Christmas lights Cocker flood 5 Dec 2015 p4
Main Street flood with Christmas Tree and Christmas lights Cocker flood 5 Dec 2015
2015 Main Street High Sand Lane New Bookshop rescue team boat Cocker Derwent flood 5 Dec 2015 p4
2015 Main Street High Sand Lane New Bookshop rescue team boat Cocker Derwent flood 5 Dec 2015
2015 Main Street High Sand Lane rescue boat team Merry Christmas sign Cocker Derwent flood 5 Dec 2015 p4
2015 Main Street High Sand Lane rescue boat team Merry Christmas sign Cocker Derwent flood 5 Dec 2015
2015 Main Street High Sand Lane to right Cocker flood 5 Dec 2015
2015 Main Street High Sand Lane to right Cocker flood 5 Dec 2015
2015 Main Street Kings Arms Lane dinghy rescue team Cocker Derwent flood 5 Dec 2015 p4
2015 Main Street Kings Arms Lane dinghy rescue team Cocker Derwent flood 5 Dec 2015
2015 Main Street man shows height of water by Allisons chemist Cocker Derwent flood 5 Dec 2015 p4
2015 Main Street man shows height of water by Allisons chemist Cocker Derwent flood 5 Dec 2015
2015 Main Street Mayo looks over submerged cars Cocker Derwent flood 5 Dec 2015
2015 Main Street Mayo looks over submerged cars Cocker Derwent flood 5 Dec 2015
2015 Main Street Police check for people and premises Cocker Derwent flood 5 Dec 2015 p4
2015 Main Street Police check for people and premises Cocker Derwent flood 5 Dec 2015 p4
2015 Market Place waves from Cocker into Percy House Cocker flood 5 Dec 2015
2015 Market Place waves from Cocker into Percy House Cocker flood 5 Dec 2015
2015 South Street teams rescue a lady Cocker flood 5 Dec 2015
2015 South Street teams rescue a lady Cocker flood 5 Dec 2015
2015 Waterloo Street Graves Mill flood Derwent looking toward High Sand Lane Cocker flood 5 Dec 2015 p4
2015 Waterloo Street Graves Mill flood Derwent looking toward High Sand Lane Cocker flood 5 Dec 2015
GOTE AREA COCKERMOUTH
Gote Road flooded rescue team boats and pumps Cocker Derwent flood 5 Dec 2015

After the flood

2015 Challoner Street force of flood ripped tarmac off road and floods houses Dec 2015 p4
2015 Challoner Street force of flood ripped tarmac off road and floods houses Dec 2015 p4
2016 Derwent flood defence gravel removal onto Memorial Gardens (1) Dec 2015 p4
2016 Derwent flood defence gravel removal onto Memorial Gardens (1) Dec 2015 p4
2016 Derwent flood defence gravel removal onto Memorial Gardens (2) Dec 2015 p4
2016 Derwent flood defence gravel removal onto Memorial Gardens (2) Dec 2015 p4
2016 Derwent flood defence gravel removal onto Memorial Gardens (3) Dec 2015 p4
2016 Derwent flood defence gravel removal onto Memorial Gardens (3) Dec 2015 p4
2016 Derwent flood defence gravel removal onto Memorial Gardens (5) Dec 2015 p4
2016 Derwent flood defence gravel removal onto Memorial Gardens (5) Dec 2015 p4
2016 Derwent flood defence gravel removal onto Memorial Gardens (6) Dec 2015 p4
2016 Derwent flood defence gravel removal onto Memorial Gardens (6) Dec 2015 p4
After 2015 flood restoration businesses flourish 2016
After 2015 flood restoration businesses flourish 2016
Challoner Street after flood in 2015
Challoner Street after flood in 2015
Crown Street Julies Cafe after flood of 2015
Crown Street Julies Cafe after flood of 2015
Derwent flood
Derwent flood
Derwent normal view with gravel build up Dec 2015
Derwent normal view with gravel build up Dec 2015
Gote Bridge closed after 2015 flood until inspection 2016
Gote Bridge closed after 2015 flood until inspection 2016
Gote Road flats were demolished and new ones built after flood of 2015
Gote Road flats were demolished and new ones built after flood of 2015
Lorton Street Mitchells becomes pop up cafe after 2015 flood
Lorton Street Mitchells becomes pop up cafe after 2015 flood
Main Street after flood
Main Street after flood
Main Street after flood the geese have a gander in Main Street Dec 2015
Main Street after flood the geese have a gander in Main Street Dec 2015
Main Street Black Bull after flood
Main Street Black Bull after flood
Main Street debris flood aerial view Dec 2015
Main Street debris flood aerial view Dec 2015
Main Street deserted after flood
Main Street deserted after flood
Main Street flood repairs Dec 2015
Main Street flood repairs Dec 2015
Main Street flooded again scaffolding and shutters on shops Dec 2015
Main Street flooded again scaffolding and shutters on shops Dec 2015
Main Street Greggs food and Boots Chemist opened soon after flood
Main Street Greggs food and Boots Chemist opened soon after flood
Main Street High Sand Lane Bookshop Wendys after flood
Main Street High Sand Lane Bookshop Wendys after flood
Main Street HSBC Bank opened after flood Old Courthouse needs pumped out
Main Street HSBC Bank opened after flood Old Courthouse needs pumped out
Main Street Mills newsagent front destroyed by car floating into it
Main Street Mills newsagent front destroyed by car floating into it
Main Street open for business after flood
Main Street open for business after flood
Main Street skips with debris after flood
Main Street skips with debris after flood
Main Street to Market Place closed after flood
Main Street to Market Place closed after flood
Market Place flood repair Dec 2015
Market Place flood repair Dec 2015
Police Station move from Main Street to South Street after flood
Police Station move from Main Street to South Street after flood
Sullart Street Christ Church British Red Cross help Dec 2015
Sullart Street Christ Church British Red Cross help Dec 2015
Waterloo Street after flood
Waterloo Street after flood

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