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Storm Desmond: Homes flooded and travel disrupted as river levels peak Storm Desmond: Homes flooded and travel disrupted as river levels peak
(35 minutes later)
Flood waters have reached their peak as Storm Desmond continues to cause severe disruption across northern England and parts of Scotland.Flood waters have reached their peak as Storm Desmond continues to cause severe disruption across northern England and parts of Scotland.
Hundreds of homes have been flooded and more than 1,000 people evacuated in Cumbria and the Scottish Borders.Hundreds of homes have been flooded and more than 1,000 people evacuated in Cumbria and the Scottish Borders.
Carlisle is among the worst-hit areas and around 50 severe flood warnings remain in place, mostly in Cumbria. Carlisle is among the worst-hit areas and scores of severe flood warnings remain in place, mostly in Cumbria.
Electricity North West says flooding at a major substation in Lancaster has left 55,000 properties without power.
There are no trains running between England and Scotland via Preston, and many roads are also closed.There are no trains running between England and Scotland via Preston, and many roads are also closed.
A major incident has been declared in Carlisle, where emergency crews are using boats to carry people to safety.
The Environment Agency says at least 200 properties have been flooded in the North West.The Environment Agency says at least 200 properties have been flooded in the North West.
David Cameron said the Army had been mobilised to help those affected, and a meeting of the government's civil emergency committee, Cobra, was being held to discuss the situation. Prime Minister David Cameron said the Army had been mobilised to help those affected, and a meeting of the government's civil emergency committee, Cobra, has taken place.
Follow live updates for Storm DesmondFollow live updates for Storm Desmond
Provisional figures suggest 352mm of rain fell in 24 hours in the Lake District - which would be a new British record if verified, the Environment Agency said.Provisional figures suggest 352mm of rain fell in 24 hours in the Lake District - which would be a new British record if verified, the Environment Agency said.
BBC Weather's John Hammond, who is in Keswick, Cumbria, said: "In terms of rainfall, it's totally dry here now and will generally remain so for the rest of the day, but we are concerned about further rainfall through this week. BBC Weather's John Hammond, who is in Keswick, Cumbria, said: "It's totally dry here now and will generally remain so for the rest of the day, but we are concerned about further rainfall through this week.
"There is more heavy rain in the forecast for flood-affected areas in the next few days and river levels downstream could be adversely affected. We'll particularly be watching the Rivers Ouse and Severn closely.""There is more heavy rain in the forecast for flood-affected areas in the next few days and river levels downstream could be adversely affected. We'll particularly be watching the Rivers Ouse and Severn closely."
In other developments:In other developments:
Across Lancashire and large parts of Cumbria, more than 60,000 residents are without power, while eight rescue centres have been opened in Cumbria for those forced to leave their homes. In Cumbria, where a major incident was declared, emergency crews are using boats to carry people to safety and eight rescue centres have been opened for those forced to leave their homes.
Adrian Holme, from Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, said flooding was "unprecedented" as the River Eden burst its banks in Appleby and water levels came close to the top of flood defence barriers in Carlisle and Keswick.Adrian Holme, from Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, said flooding was "unprecedented" as the River Eden burst its banks in Appleby and water levels came close to the top of flood defence barriers in Carlisle and Keswick.
At the sceneAt the scene
BBC north of England correspondent Danny SavageBBC north of England correspondent Danny Savage
Coastguards and lifeboats in the centre of Carlisle. This city has seen it all before but it doesn't make it any easier.Coastguards and lifeboats in the centre of Carlisle. This city has seen it all before but it doesn't make it any easier.
I left Warwick Road about 01:00 GMT this morning with water rising rapidly. By 09:00 it had spread much further towards the city - this appears to be worse than 2005.I left Warwick Road about 01:00 GMT this morning with water rising rapidly. By 09:00 it had spread much further towards the city - this appears to be worse than 2005.
The Army is here to help after the police went wading door to door in the early hours making sure residents were at least safe. Later, rescue teams with boats arrived to move those people who did want to leave.The Army is here to help after the police went wading door to door in the early hours making sure residents were at least safe. Later, rescue teams with boats arrived to move those people who did want to leave.
They had watched the modern flood defences anxiously for hours. At 22:00 last night they were telling us the water was up to the top of the flood barriers and at about midnight it came spilling over.They had watched the modern flood defences anxiously for hours. At 22:00 last night they were telling us the water was up to the top of the flood barriers and at about midnight it came spilling over.
Thousands of properties are without electricity - a hospital in Lancaster is running on generator power and there are worries about a substation in Carlisle. Residents are being told to keep phones fully charged now - if that substation goes, sixty thousand properties could be left without power.Thousands of properties are without electricity - a hospital in Lancaster is running on generator power and there are worries about a substation in Carlisle. Residents are being told to keep phones fully charged now - if that substation goes, sixty thousand properties could be left without power.
Sophie Thornton, whose home is flooded in Carlisle, said: "It's absolutely horrible watching the inevitable happen.Sophie Thornton, whose home is flooded in Carlisle, said: "It's absolutely horrible watching the inevitable happen.
"There was nothing we could do. We're now looking at a street which is waist height in water. It's just absolutely horrendous.""There was nothing we could do. We're now looking at a street which is waist height in water. It's just absolutely horrendous."
In 2010, a £38m flood defence scheme for Carlisle was completed, intended to protect about 3,000 homes and businesses around the city.In 2010, a £38m flood defence scheme for Carlisle was completed, intended to protect about 3,000 homes and businesses around the city.
Around 150 people were rescued overnight by the coastguard after a static residential caravan park was heavily flooded at Eamont Bridge near Penrith.Around 150 people were rescued overnight by the coastguard after a static residential caravan park was heavily flooded at Eamont Bridge near Penrith.
In Scotland, 600 people were evacuated from their homes in the borders town of Hawick and a train headed for Glasgow was left stranded at Carlisle station with passengers having to sleep on board overnight.In Scotland, 600 people were evacuated from their homes in the borders town of Hawick and a train headed for Glasgow was left stranded at Carlisle station with passengers having to sleep on board overnight.
Storm Desmond is the fourth storm to be given a name by the public in a project by the Met Office and Met Eireann in Ireland to help raise awareness of severe weather.Storm Desmond is the fourth storm to be given a name by the public in a project by the Met Office and Met Eireann in Ireland to help raise awareness of severe weather.
Live flood warnings from the Environment Agency and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.Live flood warnings from the Environment Agency and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.
Note: the Environment Agency and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency display their flood alert data differently. While the Environment Agency highlights individual rivers only, in Scotland the entire region is coloured to indicate the level of alert.Note: the Environment Agency and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency display their flood alert data differently. While the Environment Agency highlights individual rivers only, in Scotland the entire region is coloured to indicate the level of alert.
This map and flood alert data are supplied to the BBC by third parties. The BBC is not responsible for its accuracy and you use it at your own risk.This map and flood alert data are supplied to the BBC by third parties. The BBC is not responsible for its accuracy and you use it at your own risk.
Have you been affected by Storm Desmond? You can share your comments and experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Have you been affected by Storm Desmond? You can share your comments and experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:
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