South Lakeland District Council officers are out in areas affected by the floods, knocking on householders’ doors to arrange the removal of damaged items from outside residential properties.
An SLDC spokesperson said: "Residents will need to give permission for the items to be removed. Some insurance companies may require that the items are examined by a loss adjuster as part of any claim, so the items may need to be left for a period to allow that assessment to take place.
"Many insurance companies will accept photographs of the items that have been damaged as evidence, but policy holders are urged to check with their insurer on their specific requirements.
"The council is reassuring residents that its staff will continue to work in flood affected areas and will make several visits in order to pick up the items once the householder requires collection.
"Teams are starting today to knock on doors, targeting the worst affected areas of Kendal including Aynam Road, Wildman Street, Castle Street and Shap Road.
"Once a householder has given permission bin wagons will be brought in to remove the flood damaged items.
"Staff will also be visiting other areas in the district, including affected properties in Staveley and Burneside, over the next few days.
“We recognise that one of residents’ main concerns is clearing away flood damaged items from their properties so that they can concentrate on the clean-up.
“We are out on the streets arranging to take away flood damaged domestic goods, but would like to stress that the householder should check with their insurer before agreeing to the items being taken in case this affects their claim.
“Don’t worry if you’re not in when we call, we will continue to make rounds of flood damaged areas over the next few days until we have cleared all the debris.’’
Clearance in some areas may require partial or complete road closures, so residents in some streets may need to wait a few days to allow these closure notices to be put in place.
Household waste centres in the district are also accepting flood damaged items if householders are able to dispose it themselves, and Cumbria County Council has confirmed that it has temporarily suspended the need for a permit to bring vans or trailers in to dispose of flood damaged items.
There are household waste centres at the following locations in South Lakeland:
- Ambleside: Rothay Holme, Ambleside, open 8am to 6pm, 7 days a week
- Grange-over-Sands: Guides Lot, Allithwaite Road, open 8am to 4pm, Thursday, Friday and Saturday
- Kendal: Canal Head North, open 8am to 4pm 7 days a week
- Ulverston: Morecambe Road, open 8am to 6pm, 7 days a week
A special page with comprehensive information and advice about what to do following flooding is here.