Flood families face carnage; CLEAN-UP: Torrential rain leaves homes devastated.

Byline: Laura Hardings

FLOOD-hit communities were today facing up to the devastation caused by torrential downpours as homes and businesses were cut off by collapsed or damaged bridges and schools closed.

Structural engineers and military experts were carrying out an urgent safety review of Cumbria's 1,800 bridges as fears grew that Calva bridge, in Workington, was on the brink of being swept away.

The town was cut off, with Friday's collapse of Northside bridge and closure of Calva bridge forcing residents to make lengthy detours.

A search for a 21-year-old woman believed to have been swept away by a river swollen by recent storms began again today, police said.

The woman went into the River Usk near Watergate Bridge, Brecon, at 7pm on Saturday night and yesterday police, fire brigades and mountain rescue teams searched a mile-long stretch of fast-flowing water.

Rescue teams searched the river and the riverbank on foot, in kayaks and in helicopters.

Cumbria County Council said 13 primary schools and five secondary schools would be closed today, with the majority hoping to reopen tomorrow.

Police said a total of 16 bridges and at least 25 roads were closed. About 60 people were still sheltering in two main reception centres. The Environment Agency said the unprecedented rainfall in Cumbria last week "would have overwhelmed any defence" and warned river levels across the region were expected to remain relatively high for the next few days.

A spokesman said dredging the river at Cockermouth would have made "no difference whatsoever".

He said defences at Cockermouth were raised using a pounds 100,000 investment following the January 2005 floods to protect against a one-in-100-year event.

And he said contrary to some reports there were no outstanding upgrades due.

Initial inspections of flood defences suggested they were not damaged.

Andrew Butler, of Cumbria Highways, said a crack in Calva bridge's central arch had grown and the deck of the bridge had sunk more than a foot.

Tony Cunningham, MP for Workington, said getting to nearby Seaton had turned into a 90-mile journey, adding: "My major concern is residents who are cut off. Things are getting desperate."

But he said locals were responding well, adding: "The community spirit is incredible."

Churches across Cumbria prayed for the flood victims.

CAPTION(S):

Aftermath: Residents clear debris from their homes in Cockermouth after flood water receded.