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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/environment/live/2015/dec/06/storm-desmond-uk-severe-flooding-and-extreme-weather-live-blog
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| Storm Desmond: army deployed to rescue stranded as flood defences fail – live blog | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 12.59pm GMT12:59 | |
| Firefighters say "serious underfunding" is hampering flood response | |
| As they respond to the devastation caused left by Storm Desmond, firefighters have raised concern at the “serious underfunding” of the fire and rescue service as they respond to floods and other emergencies. | |
| The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) said that every fire and rescue service responding to the floods across northern England have seen “unprecedented” funding cuts over the past five years. | |
| Fire and rescue services in Cumbria, Northumberland, Lancashire, Tyne and Wear and North Yorkshire have all faced cuts that have included loss of firefighter jobs, it was claimed. | |
| The FBU said the ability of the fire and rescue service to respond to incidents over the weekend had been affected by the cuts and called on the Prime Minister to reverse them. | |
| Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, praised firefighters for their “fantastic work” in tackling the impact of the storm and the floods. Wrack said “firefighters have saved thousands of people from the dangers of flooding” and they were central to efforts to protect livestock, industry and other private property. | |
| He criticised Cameron’s government for cutting services and said: | |
| David Cameron has tweeted his sympathy for the thousands of people affected by the storm. Yet our fire and rescue service is being cut to pieces and the Prime Minister turns a blind eye to the results. | |
| Firefighters are responding to this emergency as they have been every time such storms and floods have hit the UK. | |
| David Cameron, on the eve of the 2010 general election, spoke at Carlisle fire station and promised to protect frontline public services. The reality has been the complete opposite. | |
| The fire and rescue service is being cut to pieces. We urgently appeal to the prime minister to reverse the cuts to our emergency services.” | |
| 12.44pm GMT12:44 | |
| Tim Farron, the Lib Dem leader, who as we reported had been affected by the flooding yesterday, has called on the government to provide additional funding to affected areas to help deal with the aftermath of the recent floods. | |
| Farron has said that the government must back up its commitment to the “Northern Powerhouse”, by providing the funds needed to repair flood damage. | |
| In a letter to David Cameron, Farron said it is “essential that the government respond to this crisis in a fair and forward-thinking way, by making available the funds needed to repair the damage which the extreme flooding has caused in South Lakeland.” | |
| He has also called on insurance companies to deal quickly with the claims arising from the flood damage, to enable local people to return to normality as soon as possible. | |
| He also said: | |
| It is heartbreaking to see the impact of flooding once more on local people. My thoughts are with all those whose homes and businesses have been flooded, and who have been forced to evacuate. | |
| There is now a major task ahead of us in terms of repairing the damage caused by these floods, and I am calling on the government to support us in this and make additional funds available. | |
| 12.37pm GMT12:37 | |
| My colleague Mike Glover has sent me a report that emergency services and partner agencies are currently dealing with an incident at the River Kent, Kendal. | |
| He writes: | |
| Police were called at 10.01am to Staveley Road, Kendal, with a report that an elderly male had fell in the water. Emergency services are working hard to establish if anyone is in the water and if so to rescue them. | |
| While rainfall has mostly subsided, Cumbria Police is reminding people people that River Kent levels are still high and major roads, including the A590 at Brettargh, remain closed. | |
| Thankfully river levels now dropped significantly, the huge clean up operation is underway.#kendal #CumbriaFloods pic.twitter.com/yuihhuknxn | |
| The force has said it has received reports of motorists removing closed road signs and has warned that driving through blocked routes - or through any flood water - is “extremely dangerous” and “is likely to put lives at risk”. | |
| Rachel Greenbank, who lives in Kendal, had tweeted yesterday she had: “never seen anything like this”. | |
| I've never seen anything like this in Kendal in my lifetime.This is a 20 second walk from our house.#flood #Kendal pic.twitter.com/AicnMvyR3Y | |
| A number of police forces are also asking local communities to help look out for each other, particularly by checking on their neighbours and elderly and vulnerable people in their area before calling for emergency service assistance if needed. | |
| 12.31pm GMT12:31 | |
| Mike Gover sends this dispatch from Cockermouth, a market town in Cumbria: | |
| Emma Todd-Hunter said the water was three or four feet deep in the High Street. | |
| Everyone is walking around in shock with disbelief. We never thought that this could happen again so soon. | |
| People are rallying round and trying to be positive, but it is scary.” | |
| The fire brigade was pumping water out of affected businesses and homes in the town. | |
| There were reports of an explosion in the power station beside Newman School in Victoria Place, Carlisle. | |
| Schools and courts across Cumbria were expecting to be closed tomorrow (Monday) due to water damage. | |
| Main roads were still shut due to floods yesterday lunch time and there were no trains or buses running north of Preston, and advice was not to travel. | |
| 12.29pm GMT12:29 | 12.29pm GMT12:29 |
| Roads have been damaged, ceilings cracked, and riverbanks have burst under the extreme weather conditions. | Roads have been damaged, ceilings cracked, and riverbanks have burst under the extreme weather conditions. |
| Here is a round-up of pictures and videos posted on twitter by users, highlighting just how severe the impact of Storm Desmond has been in some areas: | Here is a round-up of pictures and videos posted on twitter by users, highlighting just how severe the impact of Storm Desmond has been in some areas: |
| Road from Grasmere to Keswick looking dodgy :( update from Libby Dixon #Grasmere pic.twitter.com/tN9Pys9eE8 | Road from Grasmere to Keswick looking dodgy :( update from Libby Dixon #Grasmere pic.twitter.com/tN9Pys9eE8 |
| https://twitter.com/MHPaterson/status/673470810317840384 | https://twitter.com/MHPaterson/status/673470810317840384 |
| Lifeboats on the streets and sandals on the way in Carlisle. pic.twitter.com/gtvYMeDT4R | Lifeboats on the streets and sandals on the way in Carlisle. pic.twitter.com/gtvYMeDT4R |
| Mtn Rescue heading off again pic.twitter.com/B6kbUIf1Ht | Mtn Rescue heading off again pic.twitter.com/B6kbUIf1Ht |
| The calm after the #StormDesmond #Glenridding beck is dropping to more normal levels @CumbriaWeather @CumbriaCrack pic.twitter.com/OOOl4VUogL | The calm after the #StormDesmond #Glenridding beck is dropping to more normal levels @CumbriaWeather @CumbriaCrack pic.twitter.com/OOOl4VUogL |
| Just thankful this is our only damage! #StormDesmond pic.twitter.com/KYqWkOGSHV | Just thankful this is our only damage! #StormDesmond pic.twitter.com/KYqWkOGSHV |
| Swindale Beck below Brough Castle in Cumbria this morning. Levels are still very high, but falling #CumbriaFloods pic.twitter.com/gtgXo8rk5C | Swindale Beck below Brough Castle in Cumbria this morning. Levels are still very high, but falling #CumbriaFloods pic.twitter.com/gtgXo8rk5C |
| 12.13pm GMT12:13 | 12.13pm GMT12:13 |
| Tim Farron, the Lib Dem leader, whose car had been caught in the floods, thanked emergency services and posted in tweets: | Tim Farron, the Lib Dem leader, whose car had been caught in the floods, thanked emergency services and posted in tweets: |
| I want to say a massive thank you to all the staff, emergency services & organisations working so hard to help people in Cumbria tonight | I want to say a massive thank you to all the staff, emergency services & organisations working so hard to help people in Cumbria tonight |
| He added: | He added: |
| Thankyou for all the kind messages. We're home safe after scary ordeal for the kids. Many worse off tonight,thoughts & prayers with them. | Thankyou for all the kind messages. We're home safe after scary ordeal for the kids. Many worse off tonight,thoughts & prayers with them. |
| Updated at 12.14pm GMT | Updated at 12.14pm GMT |
| 12.06pm GMT12:06 | 12.06pm GMT12:06 |
| As we reported earlier, there has been military assistance in flooded areas to help with rescue efforts across the UK. Here is earlier footage of military vehicles by BBC reporter Lee Macaulay: | As we reported earlier, there has been military assistance in flooded areas to help with rescue efforts across the UK. Here is earlier footage of military vehicles by BBC reporter Lee Macaulay: |
| Military vehicle just turned onto Stanhope Road from Wigton Road #cumbriaflood @BBC_Cumbria pic.twitter.com/X33YMopdFT | Military vehicle just turned onto Stanhope Road from Wigton Road #cumbriaflood @BBC_Cumbria pic.twitter.com/X33YMopdFT |
| He also posted a photo of an emergency generator being put in earlier this morning: | He also posted a photo of an emergency generator being put in earlier this morning: |
| Emergency generator being installed at reception centre Wigton Road Methodist Church #cumbriaflood @bbc_cumbria pic.twitter.com/gK6opx7mPb | Emergency generator being installed at reception centre Wigton Road Methodist Church #cumbriaflood @bbc_cumbria pic.twitter.com/gK6opx7mPb |
| 11.59am GMT11:59 | 11.59am GMT11:59 |
| A family has rescued from their home in Lake District by Coastguard helicopter from Caernarfon. | A family has rescued from their home in Lake District by Coastguard helicopter from Caernarfon. |
| Here is the footage of the rescue operation by the Maritime and Coastguard: | Here is the footage of the rescue operation by the Maritime and Coastguard: |
| 11.55am GMT11:55 | 11.55am GMT11:55 |
| Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour party leader, has made a statement saying “our hearts go out” to the people who have lost their homes to Storm Desmond: | Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour party leader, has made a statement saying “our hearts go out” to the people who have lost their homes to Storm Desmond: |
| Our hearts go out to the hundreds of people whose homes have been flooded due to Storm Desmond. Read my statement: pic.twitter.com/Wn6IzwELEU | Our hearts go out to the hundreds of people whose homes have been flooded due to Storm Desmond. Read my statement: pic.twitter.com/Wn6IzwELEU |
| 11.48am GMT11:48 | 11.48am GMT11:48 |
| In Wales, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said they airlifted a family who were left stranded when their house became surrounded by fast-moving water in Caernarfon. | In Wales, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said they airlifted a family who were left stranded when their house became surrounded by fast-moving water in Caernarfon. |
| In Northern Ireland an elderly man had to be rescued from his home in Clady on Saturday night with an emergency team using a digger to get to the property after the Finn burst its banks over a huge area. | In Northern Ireland an elderly man had to be rescued from his home in Clady on Saturday night with an emergency team using a digger to get to the property after the Finn burst its banks over a huge area. |
| The village and nearby Castlefin were among the worst affected in the border region. | The village and nearby Castlefin were among the worst affected in the border region. |
| In Larne, County Antrim, Dunluce Street was closed after part of the roof of a building was damaged. | In Larne, County Antrim, Dunluce Street was closed after part of the roof of a building was damaged. |
| 11.40am GMT11:40 | 11.40am GMT11:40 |
| Breaking: COBRA meeting called | Breaking: COBRA meeting called |
| David Cameron the prime minister has just posted a tweet announcing an emergency crisis meeting will be held by the cabinet: | David Cameron the prime minister has just posted a tweet announcing an emergency crisis meeting will be held by the cabinet: |
| The army has been mobilised to help those affected by Storm Desmond and floods. A COBRA meeting is happening to ensure everything is done. | The army has been mobilised to help those affected by Storm Desmond and floods. A COBRA meeting is happening to ensure everything is done. |
| More updates when we have them. | More updates when we have them. |
| Updated at 11.41am GMT | Updated at 11.41am GMT |
| 11.38am GMT11:38 | 11.38am GMT11:38 |
| Heres a round-up of how Scotland has been affected by flooding: | Heres a round-up of how Scotland has been affected by flooding: |
| #Perth #Tay #tayriver river Tay #flood #water #storm #scotland #weather pic.twitter.com/EVSuwsDA9n | #Perth #Tay #tayriver river Tay #flood #water #storm #scotland #weather pic.twitter.com/EVSuwsDA9n |
| 11.31am GMT11:31 | 11.31am GMT11:31 |
| A severe weather warning is still in place for much of Scotland today as a clean up operation from Storm Desmond swings into action. | A severe weather warning is still in place for much of Scotland today as a clean up operation from Storm Desmond swings into action. |
| Gales today are forecast by the Met Office: | Gales today are forecast by the Met Office: |
| Rain clears all but the south, brighter in north, gales in Scotland. Here to help. ^TLH pic.twitter.com/Lr0VKybHBN | Rain clears all but the south, brighter in north, gales in Scotland. Here to help. ^TLH pic.twitter.com/Lr0VKybHBN |
| Yet homes and roads remain flooded as the weather warning was downgraded from a rare red warning in Dumfries and Galloway on Saturday, the Press Association reports. | Yet homes and roads remain flooded as the weather warning was downgraded from a rare red warning in Dumfries and Galloway on Saturday, the Press Association reports. |
| The bad weather has abated in Hawick, in the Scottish Borders, after around 100 properties were evacuated but emergency services remain on standby. | The bad weather has abated in Hawick, in the Scottish Borders, after around 100 properties were evacuated but emergency services remain on standby. |
| More than 100mm of rain fell in the area throughout Friday and Saturday, according to Met Office figures. | More than 100mm of rain fell in the area throughout Friday and Saturday, according to Met Office figures. |
| Severe flood warnings remain in place in Hawick and Newcastleton from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa), which has also issued a further 75 less severe warnings. | Severe flood warnings remain in place in Hawick and Newcastleton from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa), which has also issued a further 75 less severe warnings. |
| A caravan park was evacuated in Aviemore, next to the River Spey, but all residents have been accounted for. | A caravan park was evacuated in Aviemore, next to the River Spey, but all residents have been accounted for. |
| Tayside Fire and Rescue has had their water pumps in action to tackle flooding in the Bridge of Earn area. | Tayside Fire and Rescue has had their water pumps in action to tackle flooding in the Bridge of Earn area. |
| There were multiple diversions on roads throughout Scotland and high wind warnings on most of the bridges. | There were multiple diversions on roads throughout Scotland and high wind warnings on most of the bridges. |
| Motorists travelling through northern Stirlingshire faced a 46 mile diversion due to flooding at Lochearnhead. | Motorists travelling through northern Stirlingshire faced a 46 mile diversion due to flooding at Lochearnhead. |
| Homes close to the River Esk in Langholm were also evacuated on Saturday night as water breached the bank, while flooding has also been reported in some areas of Annandale and Eskdale including Wamphray, Cummertrees and Hoddom. | Homes close to the River Esk in Langholm were also evacuated on Saturday night as water breached the bank, while flooding has also been reported in some areas of Annandale and Eskdale including Wamphray, Cummertrees and Hoddom. |
| The River Tay in Perth was expected to reach its highest level for more than a decade and other rivers are at risk of bursting their banks. | The River Tay in Perth was expected to reach its highest level for more than a decade and other rivers are at risk of bursting their banks. |
| Almost 20 properties in Blair Atholl were evacuated for a time on Saturday after the Garry Burn burst its banks but residents were allowed to return as the water level receded. | Almost 20 properties in Blair Atholl were evacuated for a time on Saturday after the Garry Burn burst its banks but residents were allowed to return as the water level receded. |
| In Cumbria nearly 200mm of rain fell in Britain’s wettest area Shap. | In Cumbria nearly 200mm of rain fell in Britain’s wettest area Shap. |
| 11.20am GMT11:20 | 11.20am GMT11:20 |
| Flood emergency meeting called | Flood emergency meeting called |
| The environment secretary, Elizabeth Truss, said an emergency government meeting has been called to organise effective responses to help those worst affected by the floods. | The environment secretary, Elizabeth Truss, said an emergency government meeting has been called to organise effective responses to help those worst affected by the floods. |
| She said: | She said: |
| We know what a devastating impact flooding has on communities and our thoughts are with those affected this weekend. | We know what a devastating impact flooding has on communities and our thoughts are with those affected this weekend. |
| The Environment Agency, local authorities and the emergency services are already working around the clock to protect properties, help those already affected and reduce the risk to others and we are working with them to ensure they have everything they need to respond. | The Environment Agency, local authorities and the emergency services are already working around the clock to protect properties, help those already affected and reduce the risk to others and we are working with them to ensure they have everything they need to respond. |
| I urge people to check the latest flood updates via the EA website and Twitter. | I urge people to check the latest flood updates via the EA website and Twitter. |
| Updated at 11.30am GMT | Updated at 11.30am GMT |
| 11.17am GMT11:17 | 11.17am GMT11:17 |
| Adrian Holme, from Cumbria fire and rescue service told the BBC the flood was unprecedented and “exceptionally challenging” as more than 100 people were evacuated from Keswick. | Adrian Holme, from Cumbria fire and rescue service told the BBC the flood was unprecedented and “exceptionally challenging” as more than 100 people were evacuated from Keswick. |
| He said it was “absolutely devastating”, adding: “The flood defences that were built here in 2012 haven’t been breached, they have been over-topped. We have had 24 hours of constant rain.” | He said it was “absolutely devastating”, adding: “The flood defences that were built here in 2012 haven’t been breached, they have been over-topped. We have had 24 hours of constant rain.” |
| Cumbria has been among the worst affected by the onslaught, with the village of Braithwaite completely cut off when its main bridge, the Coledale High Bridge, collapsed as the river burst its banks. | Cumbria has been among the worst affected by the onslaught, with the village of Braithwaite completely cut off when its main bridge, the Coledale High Bridge, collapsed as the river burst its banks. |
| In Carlisle, flood levels continued to rise and helicopters carried out rescue missions overnight as cars became almost entirely submerged. | In Carlisle, flood levels continued to rise and helicopters carried out rescue missions overnight as cars became almost entirely submerged. |
| Military forces have been called in to help evacuate people who wish to move, including elderly people, families with babies and pets. | Military forces have been called in to help evacuate people who wish to move, including elderly people, families with babies and pets. |
| The British Red Cross teams, as reported in this post, set up rest centres in Keswick, Appleby and Kendal, while medical groups issued an urgent call to draft in extra doctors amid fears the storm could cause casualties. | The British Red Cross teams, as reported in this post, set up rest centres in Keswick, Appleby and Kendal, while medical groups issued an urgent call to draft in extra doctors amid fears the storm could cause casualties. |
| Updated at 11.32am GMT | Updated at 11.32am GMT |
| 11.13am GMT11:13 | 11.13am GMT11:13 |
| Humanitarian aid charity the Red Cross has been called to provide support to residents affected by flooding. It has posted these series of tweets: | Humanitarian aid charity the Red Cross has been called to provide support to residents affected by flooding. It has posted these series of tweets: |
| The Red Cross has been called to provide support to #Cumbria residents affected by #flooding..(1/2) | The Red Cross has been called to provide support to #Cumbria residents affected by #flooding..(1/2) |
| ..we have set up a control centre in #Newcastle to help co-ordinate our support to the #flooding response. (2/2) | ..we have set up a control centre in #Newcastle to help co-ordinate our support to the #flooding response. (2/2) |
| We currently have rest centres set up in #Keswick #Appleby #Kendal, three more on standby if required. #CumbriaFloods | We currently have rest centres set up in #Keswick #Appleby #Kendal, three more on standby if required. #CumbriaFloods |
| Our staff and volunteers have been providing support overnight including at rest centres in #Preston and #Lancaster... | Our staff and volunteers have been providing support overnight including at rest centres in #Preston and #Lancaster... |
| Around 170 people stayed at the rest centre in #Preston last night. We are also continuing to support residents in Cumbria #StormDesmond | Around 170 people stayed at the rest centre in #Preston last night. We are also continuing to support residents in Cumbria #StormDesmond |
| Updated at 11.33am GMT | Updated at 11.33am GMT |
| 11.08am GMT11:08 | 11.08am GMT11:08 |
| In Cumbria, an emergency appeal has been launched. My colleague Mike Glover reports: | In Cumbria, an emergency appeal has been launched. My colleague Mike Glover reports: |
| An emergency appeal has been launched for anyone wishing to donate to assist individuals and families whose homes have had significant structural damage or flooding due to recent floods and storms which took place during the weekend of 5-6 December throughout Cumbria. | An emergency appeal has been launched for anyone wishing to donate to assist individuals and families whose homes have had significant structural damage or flooding due to recent floods and storms which took place during the weekend of 5-6 December throughout Cumbria. |
| Cumbria Community Foundation, which will administer the fund, has committed £50,000 from its own funds to the appeal. | Cumbria Community Foundation, which will administer the fund, has committed £50,000 from its own funds to the appeal. |
| Grants for charitable purposes will be distributed to relieve hardship, which can help with cleaning up, emergency repairs, clothing, food and drink, heating and heating equipment, childcare equipment and basic furniture. | Grants for charitable purposes will be distributed to relieve hardship, which can help with cleaning up, emergency repairs, clothing, food and drink, heating and heating equipment, childcare equipment and basic furniture. |
| The fund is administered by Cumbria Community Foundation, which managed the £3m Cumbria Flood Recovery Appeal following floods in 2009. | The fund is administered by Cumbria Community Foundation, which managed the £3m Cumbria Flood Recovery Appeal following floods in 2009. |
| Updated at 11.34am GMT | Updated at 11.34am GMT |
| 11.06am GMT11:06 | 11.06am GMT11:06 |
| 118 warnings and 68 alerts in force | 118 warnings and 68 alerts in force |
| There are currently 56 severe flood warnings, 62 warnings and 68 alerts in force at this location. | There are currently 56 severe flood warnings, 62 warnings and 68 alerts in force at this location. |
| The government live flood warning site has alerted members of the public there are submerged areas across the UK, in particular close to rivers in the north, which could endanger life. | The government live flood warning site has alerted members of the public there are submerged areas across the UK, in particular close to rivers in the north, which could endanger life. |
| Updated at 11.35am GMT | Updated at 11.35am GMT |
| 10.54am GMT10:54 | 10.54am GMT10:54 |
| The storm is also affecting other parts of the UK, with strong winds elsewhere. A 90-year-old man who lost his life is believed to have been blown into the side of a moving bus by a gust of wind, near Finchley Central tube station in north London, a Scotland Yard spokesman said. | The storm is also affecting other parts of the UK, with strong winds elsewhere. A 90-year-old man who lost his life is believed to have been blown into the side of a moving bus by a gust of wind, near Finchley Central tube station in north London, a Scotland Yard spokesman said. |
| Emergency services were called at about 12:35 GMT yesterday but the man died at the scene a short time later. | Emergency services were called at about 12:35 GMT yesterday but the man died at the scene a short time later. |
| The man’s next-of-kin have been informed. | The man’s next-of-kin have been informed. |
| Updated at 11.35am GMT | Updated at 11.35am GMT |
| 10.49am GMT10:49 | 10.49am GMT10:49 |
| Cumbria police are warning residents of Carlisle to stay indoors and not travel following an update this morning from the Strategic Coordinating Group. River levels in Carlisle are expected to peak at 9.15am with a likelihood of flooding. | Cumbria police are warning residents of Carlisle to stay indoors and not travel following an update this morning from the Strategic Coordinating Group. River levels in Carlisle are expected to peak at 9.15am with a likelihood of flooding. |
| A police statement said: | A police statement said: |
| We want to urge residents of Carlisle to keep devices and appliances charged up now, in preparation of the worst case scenario. | We want to urge residents of Carlisle to keep devices and appliances charged up now, in preparation of the worst case scenario. |
| Defences in the following areas are most at risk are: | Defences in the following areas are most at risk are: |
| Temporary Ch Con Michelle Skeer told the public to stay away from the far-moving floodwater and said: | Temporary Ch Con Michelle Skeer told the public to stay away from the far-moving floodwater and said: |
| Motorists are urged again not to travel unless it is an emergency and to stay indoors and keep safe. Flood water is dangerous. Everyone is advised to stay away from swollen rivers and if you are travelling, check the flood risk before setting off and don’t drive through floodwater. Members of the public are continuing to drive through flooded water against our warnings causing more strain on resources from already stretched emergency services. | Motorists are urged again not to travel unless it is an emergency and to stay indoors and keep safe. Flood water is dangerous. Everyone is advised to stay away from swollen rivers and if you are travelling, check the flood risk before setting off and don’t drive through floodwater. Members of the public are continuing to drive through flooded water against our warnings causing more strain on resources from already stretched emergency services. |
| The emergency services have urged people in most at risk areas to evacuate to family and friends this morning, or attend one of the four reception centres in Carlisle for advice and shelter. | The emergency services have urged people in most at risk areas to evacuate to family and friends this morning, or attend one of the four reception centres in Carlisle for advice and shelter. |
| The four reception centres people can go to are:• Greystone Community Centre, Close Street• Richard Rose Morton Academy• Carlisle Sea Cadets, Nicholson Street• Trinity Church, Wigton Road | The four reception centres people can go to are:• Greystone Community Centre, Close Street• Richard Rose Morton Academy• Carlisle Sea Cadets, Nicholson Street• Trinity Church, Wigton Road |
| Updated at 11.38am GMT | Updated at 11.38am GMT |
| 10.39am GMT10:39 | 10.39am GMT10:39 |
| My colleague Mike Glover in Cumbria reports the army had been called in to help police, fire and mountain rescue workers in areas such as Cockermouth, Kendal, Keswick, Windermere and Workington, which all suffered from localised flooding. | My colleague Mike Glover in Cumbria reports the army had been called in to help police, fire and mountain rescue workers in areas such as Cockermouth, Kendal, Keswick, Windermere and Workington, which all suffered from localised flooding. |
| He sends this dispatch: | He sends this dispatch: |
| Hundreds of families were evacuated and a motorist died as Storm Desmond lashed over northern Britain over the weekend. | Hundreds of families were evacuated and a motorist died as Storm Desmond lashed over northern Britain over the weekend. |
| Homes were submerged, transport was disrupted and whole towns cut off as almost a foot of rain fell in 24 hours, driven by 70mph winds. | Homes were submerged, transport was disrupted and whole towns cut off as almost a foot of rain fell in 24 hours, driven by 70mph winds. |
| Large tracts of country areas were under feet of water as rivers and streams were overwhelmed, turning fields into vast lakes. | Large tracts of country areas were under feet of water as rivers and streams were overwhelmed, turning fields into vast lakes. |
| Bales of animal feed, weighing up to a ton, were bobbing around like corks in the raging torrents. | Bales of animal feed, weighing up to a ton, were bobbing around like corks in the raging torrents. |
| As the skies cleared this morning the extent of damage and debris shocked residents and rescuers. Many bridges were thought to have become unstable, which will bring chaos to transport for months. | As the skies cleared this morning the extent of damage and debris shocked residents and rescuers. Many bridges were thought to have become unstable, which will bring chaos to transport for months. |
| One resident in Keswick, where the River Greta reached its highest level in living memory said: | One resident in Keswick, where the River Greta reached its highest level in living memory said: |
| It is absolutely shocking to see the extent of the debris, with whole trees uprooted. It is unbelievable.” | It is absolutely shocking to see the extent of the debris, with whole trees uprooted. It is unbelievable.” |
| In Cumbria, one of the worst affected areas, police and partner agencies declared the severe weather a major incident. | In Cumbria, one of the worst affected areas, police and partner agencies declared the severe weather a major incident. |
| An appeal was launched at the weekend for £1m to help people deal with the cost of the clear-up. | An appeal was launched at the weekend for £1m to help people deal with the cost of the clear-up. |
| @CumbriaWeather @BBC_Cumbria water running back into river #Kent, #Kendal but flood damage all along river pic.twitter.com/K4rduoHSuh | @CumbriaWeather @BBC_Cumbria water running back into river #Kent, #Kendal but flood damage all along river pic.twitter.com/K4rduoHSuh |
| In neighbouring Lancashire a front seat passenger died when a 4x4 type vehicle, travelling from Lancaster towards Caton on Low Road, collided with a wall on a right hand bend. | In neighbouring Lancashire a front seat passenger died when a 4x4 type vehicle, travelling from Lancaster towards Caton on Low Road, collided with a wall on a right hand bend. |
| The car came to rest in flood water. The 48 year old woman, who was the front seat passenger was taken to Royal Lancaster Infirmary with serious head injuries where she sadly later died. | The car came to rest in flood water. The 48 year old woman, who was the front seat passenger was taken to Royal Lancaster Infirmary with serious head injuries where she sadly later died. |
| In Eamont Bridge, South of Penrith and 30 miles from the sea, 150 people were rescued by the Coastguard after a static residential caravan park was heavily flooded. | In Eamont Bridge, South of Penrith and 30 miles from the sea, 150 people were rescued by the Coastguard after a static residential caravan park was heavily flooded. |
| Yesterday the focus switched to Carlisle, down-stream of Appleby on the River Eden. | Yesterday the focus switched to Carlisle, down-stream of Appleby on the River Eden. |
| A strategic coordination group has worked throughout the night to prepare for potential flooding in Carlisle where river levels are expected to peak. | A strategic coordination group has worked throughout the night to prepare for potential flooding in Carlisle where river levels are expected to peak. |
| Updated at 11.37am GMT | Updated at 11.37am GMT |
| 10.18am GMT10:18 | 10.18am GMT10:18 |
| Here’s what we know so far: | Here’s what we know so far: |
| #Powercut numbers update. We expect to restore 'storm' faults today. 'Flooding' faults may take significantly longer pic.twitter.com/EIdx4EcVj4 | #Powercut numbers update. We expect to restore 'storm' faults today. 'Flooding' faults may take significantly longer pic.twitter.com/EIdx4EcVj4 |
| 56 severe flood warnings issued across northern England. Flooding is expected, take immediate action https://t.co/Np3m6B2tZ3 #alert | 56 severe flood warnings issued across northern England. Flooding is expected, take immediate action https://t.co/Np3m6B2tZ3 #alert |
| Daybreak reveals the devastation throughout Cumbria. That "canal" is actually the London to Scotland main rail line. pic.twitter.com/KoGbutymkC | Daybreak reveals the devastation throughout Cumbria. That "canal" is actually the London to Scotland main rail line. pic.twitter.com/KoGbutymkC |
| Updated at 10.34am GMT | Updated at 10.34am GMT |
| 9.54am GMT09:54 | 9.54am GMT09:54 |
| Storm Desmond leaves UK in chaos | Storm Desmond leaves UK in chaos |
| Aisha Gani | Aisha Gani |
| Good morning. Welcome to our live coverage of Storm Desmond. The army has been deployed and families evacuated as the extreme weather brings heavy rain and strong winds to Scotland and northern England. | Good morning. Welcome to our live coverage of Storm Desmond. The army has been deployed and families evacuated as the extreme weather brings heavy rain and strong winds to Scotland and northern England. |
| Flood waters are expected to reach their peak today as the storm continues to wreak havoc across Britain, forcing thousands of people out of their homes. | Flood waters are expected to reach their peak today as the storm continues to wreak havoc across Britain, forcing thousands of people out of their homes. |
| So far, severe flood warnings have been issued with coastguards carrying out rescue operations in Carlisle, Cumbria, as river levels reach their highest recorded. Power cuts have been reported across the north-west of England, with 60,000 in Lancaster. | So far, severe flood warnings have been issued with coastguards carrying out rescue operations in Carlisle, Cumbria, as river levels reach their highest recorded. Power cuts have been reported across the north-west of England, with 60,000 in Lancaster. |
| Saturday was exceptionally wet, and very windy in places, with #StormDesmond causing significant disruption pic.twitter.com/3DObjxH7Vw | Saturday was exceptionally wet, and very windy in places, with #StormDesmond causing significant disruption pic.twitter.com/3DObjxH7Vw |
| I will be bringing you live updates as we get them – leave your comments below or tweet me @aishagani. | I will be bringing you live updates as we get them – leave your comments below or tweet me @aishagani. |
| Updated at 10.35am GMT | Updated at 10.35am GMT |