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Storm Desmond: Thousands left without power as Carlisle and Cumbria hit with severe flooding Storm Desmond: Thousands left without power as Carlisle and Cumbria hit with severe flooding
(2 days later)
One man has died and hundreds of families have been forced from their homes across the UK as Storm Desmond brought severe flooding and winds of up to 80mph.One man has died and hundreds of families have been forced from their homes across the UK as Storm Desmond brought severe flooding and winds of up to 80mph.
Bridges have collapsed, rivers burst their banks and landslides have been triggered by the torrential rains in northern England and Scotland.Bridges have collapsed, rivers burst their banks and landslides have been triggered by the torrential rains in northern England and Scotland.
In Cumbria, more than a month's rain fell in just 24 hours. In Cumbria, more than a month's rain fell in just 24 hours. 
More than 50,000 homes in the North West were left without power after the flood defences at a major electricity substation were breached.More than 50,000 homes in the North West were left without power after the flood defences at a major electricity substation were breached.
Electricity North West said it was unlikely its engineers would be able to survey the damage until lunchtime on Sunday but were doing "all they could" to restore power.Electricity North West said it was unlikely its engineers would be able to survey the damage until lunchtime on Sunday but were doing "all they could" to restore power.
In Carlisle, Cumbria police said there was a "major risk" two more electricity substations could flood - which could cut power to 60,000 homes.   In Carlisle, Cumbria police said there was a "major risk" two more electricity substations could flood - which could cut power to 60,000 homes.   
A total of 100 people were evacuated from the Cumbrian town of Keswick after flood defences constructed in 2012 were over-topped by the storm.A total of 100 people were evacuated from the Cumbrian town of Keswick after flood defences constructed in 2012 were over-topped by the storm.
The British Red Cross set up rest centres in the town and medical groups issued an urgent call to bring in extra doctors over fears the storm may lead to more casualties.The British Red Cross set up rest centres in the town and medical groups issued an urgent call to bring in extra doctors over fears the storm may lead to more casualties.
Adrian Holme, from Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, told the BBC the flood was "absolutely devastating for the town of Keswick".Adrian Holme, from Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, told the BBC the flood was "absolutely devastating for the town of Keswick".
He said:  "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:  "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.
"The water is huge and there are hundreds of properties that have been devastated and flooded. And some of these people have been flooded three times, our hearts must go out to them.""The water is huge and there are hundreds of properties that have been devastated and flooded. And some of these people have been flooded three times, our hearts must go out to them."
In north London, a 90-year-old man died after he was blown into the path of a moving bus by strong winds outside Finchley Central Station.In north London, a 90-year-old man died after he was blown into the path of a moving bus by strong winds outside Finchley Central Station.
Heavy flooding in Carlisle left the main railway line between London and Glasgow completely submerged in water.Heavy flooding in Carlisle left the main railway line between London and Glasgow completely submerged in water.
Virgin Trains announced on Twitter that services between Preston and Carlisle were suspended until Monday.Virgin Trains announced on Twitter that services between Preston and Carlisle were suspended until Monday.
#VTINFO There are no services between Preston and Carlisle until Monday. See here for further information https://t.co/KjwEUJIQcx
West coast mainline just north of Carlisle Station @VirginTrains #carlislefloods pic.twitter.com/4UJaiVyEK6
The company said customers with tickets for Sunday would able to travel on Monday.The company said customers with tickets for Sunday would able to travel on Monday.
Cross Country is also accepting Virgin tickets between Birmingham New Street and Edinburgh due to the line closures. Cross Country is also accepting Virgin tickets between Birmingham New Street and Edinburgh due to the line closures. 
The Environment Agency for England and Wales has issued 95 flood warnings - with 47 severe flood warnings in place in the north meaning there is a “danger to life”.The Environment Agency for England and Wales has issued 95 flood warnings - with 47 severe flood warnings in place in the north meaning there is a “danger to life”.
In a statement on its website on Saturday night, the agency warned persistent rain over night would continue to heighten the risk of flooding.In a statement on its website on Saturday night, the agency warned persistent rain over night would continue to heighten the risk of flooding.
It said: "Heavy and persistent rain will continue across northern England bringing a high flood risk from both rivers and surface water flooding across much of Cumbria, with severe flooding impacts likely.It said: "Heavy and persistent rain will continue across northern England bringing a high flood risk from both rivers and surface water flooding across much of Cumbria, with severe flooding impacts likely.
"Impacts were seen in these areas are likely to include widespread flooding affecting significant numbers of properties and whole communities, danger to life from fast flowing, deep flood water and severe disruption to travel with the risk of motorists becoming stranded."Impacts were seen in these areas are likely to include widespread flooding affecting significant numbers of properties and whole communities, danger to life from fast flowing, deep flood water and severe disruption to travel with the risk of motorists becoming stranded.
Members of the Army help with the rescue effort after Storm Desmond caused flooding
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Local residents leave their homes as Storm Desmond causes flooding in Carlisle, England
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Home owners use canoes to try and rescue a pet rabbit from a house in Gandy Street, Kendal. --
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Carlisle was one of the towns worst affected by Storm Desmond, with flood defences unable to cope
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Flood waters in Appleby, Cumbria
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An overturned lorry on the A66 near Brough
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Rescuers help a barefoot man from his lorry in Hawick in the Scottish Borders
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Flooding on a road in Glasgow
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The coastguard rescues a family and their dog in Carlisle
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Around 100 people have been evacuated from the Cumbrian town of Keswick
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A local resident outside their submerged home in Carlisle
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"Across parts of Northumberland, Lancashire and the western Pennines there is a medium likelihood of significant flooding from both rivers and surface water.""Across parts of Northumberland, Lancashire and the western Pennines there is a medium likelihood of significant flooding from both rivers and surface water."
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has issued 75 warnings with two severe warnings for Newcastletown and Hawick in the Scottish Borders.The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has issued 75 warnings with two severe warnings for Newcastletown and Hawick in the Scottish Borders.
The Met Office has issued three yellow warnings for Northern England and Scotland.The Met Office has issued three yellow warnings for Northern England and Scotland.
A spokesman said the storm had now moved into the North Sea but warned that people are still at risk from flooding. A spokesman said the storm had now moved into the North Sea but warned that people are still at risk from flooding. 
Additional reporting by PAAdditional reporting by PA