Britain’s air force and emergency workers using inflatable boats rescued about 200 people Friday as rising floodwaters caused widespread havoc in northern England’s picturesque Lake District. One police officer was missing after a bridge was washed away.

A 570-foot barge that went aground in the surf off Virginia Beach is free.

Last week’s torrential rainfalls have caused damage and delays to some Virginia farm crops, but the extent of losses is unknown, some agriculture experts said yesterday. Several crops that were recently planted or still in the fields were hurt by the widespread, three-day deluge, including winter wheat, barley and soybeans, said Molly Payne Pugh, executive director of the Virginia Grain Producers Association.

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine yesterday visited two cities hit especially hard by a drenching storm and flooding and heard appeals from residents for assistance. In Norfolk, Kaine stopped by the Ocean View section of the city. Part of the main thoroughfare, Ocean View Avenue, and a number of side streets, remain under water. Downed trees and power lines blocked other streets.

Four deaths, a trail of flooding in Va. A major storm that flooded southeastern Virginia and drenched much of the state should release its grip over the weekend and allow floodwaters to recede. “It’s going to be a very slow process,“ said Mike Rusnak, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Wakefield. “We still expect some coastal flooding into Saturday.“

WEEK’S END The rains proved prolonged but not persistently heavy. Many drivers put their windshield wipers on intermittent. Many also failed to turn on their headlights. Regardless of the intensity of rain, it is prudent to drive with the lights. When the wipers are working, the law says the lights must be on. Weather such as this week’s tends to turn all vehicles into a hard-to-see gray. Friends, turn on the headlights. We want to run into you in the coffee shop—not in the turn lane.

Virginia State Police today reported a fourth weather-related traffic fatality in Virginia. Police said Cristopher E. Wright, 28, of Hampton, was killed just after 2 a.m. Wednesday in a single-vehicle crash in Hampton. Wright was entering the ramp from Hampton Roads Center Parkway to westbound Interstate 64 when his car veered off the road and struck a light pole and then a tree. Wright, who was not wearing a safety belt, died at the scene.

The James River in Richmond topped the 12-foot flood stage today about 5 a.m. at the Westham gauge near the Huguenot Bridge.

Governor says that officials are monitoring river levels but that flooding in streams may not be as bad as feared; highway death toll climbs to four.

More than 400 roads and several bridges are closed in Virginia because of high water or other weather-related problems.

A historic storm inflicted severe flooding on southeastern Virginia, pelted the state with heavy rain and contributed to at least three deaths yesterday. The coastal storm, fed by moisture from the remnants of Tropical Storm Ida, also whipped up winds that hit 75 mph in Virginia Beach and 40 mph in the Richmond area.

The Virginia Department of Transportation urges motorists who must travel during heavy rain to follow safe-driving precautions. Motorists can call 511 or visit 511Virginia.org for road-closure information. There is safety information at VirginiaDOT.org, including a video with tips on safe driving in the rain. Updates and general information on hurricanes and storms can be found at VAEmergency.com.

A number of school divisions in central Virginia will open late today after this week’s heavy rains and flooding. The following county school districts reported two-hour delays: Amelia, Dinwiddie, King and Queen, New Kent and Prince George. Also, Sussex County schools are closed today. For an updated list of delays and closings, visit TimesDispatch.com.

Three people died today in weather-related crashes across Virginia, state police said this afternoon. The first wreck about 4:35 a.m. after a driver whose pickup truck collided with a fallen tree was struck and killed by a tractor-trailer on state Route 56 in Nelson County. Alger H. Fleming, 66, of Amherst was killed after he left his vehicle to inspect his damaged pickup. Police said he was struck by an eastbound tractor-trailer that swerved to avoid hitting Fleming’s pickup about 1.8 miles west of state Route 655. No charges will be filed, police said.

The Virginia Department of Transportation says motorists this rush hour should proceed carefully because of problems with standing water and downed trees.