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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/environment/live/2015/dec/07/storm-desmond-cameron-to-chair-emergency-meeting-live-updates
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| Version 24 | Version 25 |
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| Storm Desmond: Cameron promises to review flood defence plans – as it happened | Storm Desmond: Cameron promises to review flood defence plans – as it happened |
| (30 days later) | |
| 7.49pm GMT | 7.49pm GMT |
| 19:49 | 19:49 |
| An update from Electricity North West says that power to 42,000 customers in Lancaster, Morecambe and Carnforth was lost at 4pm this afternoon. | An update from Electricity North West says that power to 42,000 customers in Lancaster, Morecambe and Carnforth was lost at 4pm this afternoon. |
| It adds that technician had been working onsite throughout the night to restore power to customers this morning after floodwater breached defences at Lancaster’s main substation just before 11pm on Saturday. | It adds that technician had been working onsite throughout the night to restore power to customers this morning after floodwater breached defences at Lancaster’s main substation just before 11pm on Saturday. |
| The statement goes on to say: “We have been working on site throughout the day but unfortunately due to unforeseen flood damage at that site a significant fault has occurred. We are calling for extra generators and engineers from across the country to help us to restore power to our customers.” | The statement goes on to say: “We have been working on site throughout the day but unfortunately due to unforeseen flood damage at that site a significant fault has occurred. We are calling for extra generators and engineers from across the country to help us to restore power to our customers.” |
| 19,000 households in Lancaster are still being supplied by generators; 42,000 remain in the dark. https://t.co/CE9O3rHQw5 | 19,000 households in Lancaster are still being supplied by generators; 42,000 remain in the dark. https://t.co/CE9O3rHQw5 |
| Another night without electricity for 42,000 in Lancaster area. Will the Royal Lancaster Infirmary deliver a glut of babies in 9 months? | Another night without electricity for 42,000 in Lancaster area. Will the Royal Lancaster Infirmary deliver a glut of babies in 9 months? |
| We are closing down the blog now. A full wrap on events from our team can be found here. | We are closing down the blog now. A full wrap on events from our team can be found here. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 8.10pm GMT | at 8.10pm GMT |
| 7.43pm GMT | 7.43pm GMT |
| 19:43 | 19:43 |
| Shopkeepers in the first town to be affected by the weekend floods have spoken of their devastation. | Shopkeepers in the first town to be affected by the weekend floods have spoken of their devastation. |
| The banks of the river Eden, which flows through Appleby-in-Westmorland, in south Cumbria, burst on Saturday and wreaked havoc in homes and businesses on either side. | The banks of the river Eden, which flows through Appleby-in-Westmorland, in south Cumbria, burst on Saturday and wreaked havoc in homes and businesses on either side. |
| The Press Association has filed this: | The Press Association has filed this: |
| On the Boroughgate side of the town, locals helped each other clear water-damaged flooring, stock and debris from a row of shops in Bridge Street. | On the Boroughgate side of the town, locals helped each other clear water-damaged flooring, stock and debris from a row of shops in Bridge Street. |
| While on the other side of the closed Eden bridge on the Sands it was a similar picture as locals said half the town was still without power. | While on the other side of the closed Eden bridge on the Sands it was a similar picture as locals said half the town was still without power. |
| Among those affected was Catherine Hoggins, 42, who only opened Appleby Barber Shop in Bridge Street last Monday. | Among those affected was Catherine Hoggins, 42, who only opened Appleby Barber Shop in Bridge Street last Monday. |
| She had relocated from the market arcade, which had missed much of the damage, she said. | She had relocated from the market arcade, which had missed much of the damage, she said. |
| She said: “What can you say? Self-employed, three kids, single mum, three weeks before Christmas, what do you do? What do you do? | She said: “What can you say? Self-employed, three kids, single mum, three weeks before Christmas, what do you do? What do you do? |
| “For me personally, it’s devastating. You have got to crack on, haven’t you? I’m devastated more for my kids because there is no money coming in.” | “For me personally, it’s devastating. You have got to crack on, haven’t you? I’m devastated more for my kids because there is no money coming in.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 7.53pm GMT | at 7.53pm GMT |
| 7.20pm GMT | 7.20pm GMT |
| 19:20 | 19:20 |
| While homes in the UK count the cost from the weekend’s weather, the world’s biggest climate polluters have meanwhile rallied around a stronger target for limiting warming, saying they were open to the 1.5C goal endorsed by the most vulnerable countries. | While homes in the UK count the cost from the weekend’s weather, the world’s biggest climate polluters have meanwhile rallied around a stronger target for limiting warming, saying they were open to the 1.5C goal endorsed by the most vulnerable countries. |
| Suzanne Goldenberg and John Vidal have filed from the Cop 21 UN climate change conference: | Suzanne Goldenberg and John Vidal have filed from the Cop 21 UN climate change conference: |
| In the final push to a climate agreement, the US, Canada, China and the European Union declared they were now on board with demands from African countries to adopt an even more ambitious goal to limit warming. | In the final push to a climate agreement, the US, Canada, China and the European Union declared they were now on board with demands from African countries to adopt an even more ambitious goal to limit warming. |
| “We can’t go home and say ‘we saved the planet, check.’ This issue will continue to be a top priority for the president and the White House coming out of Paris heading into next year and for remaining time that he is in office because there is more work to do,” a White House official said. | “We can’t go home and say ‘we saved the planet, check.’ This issue will continue to be a top priority for the president and the White House coming out of Paris heading into next year and for remaining time that he is in office because there is more work to do,” a White House official said. |
| Small island states say the current temperature goal of 2C would bring doom, drowning low-lying areas, and forcing mass migration. | Small island states say the current temperature goal of 2C would bring doom, drowning low-lying areas, and forcing mass migration. |
| They want an agreement from Paris that would seek to keep warming at about 1C, which is roughly the current level of warming above pre-industrial levels. | They want an agreement from Paris that would seek to keep warming at about 1C, which is roughly the current level of warming above pre-industrial levels. |
| You can read the rest in full here. | You can read the rest in full here. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 7.48pm GMT | at 7.48pm GMT |
| 7.15pm GMT | 7.15pm GMT |
| 19:15 | 19:15 |
| Here is video of Labour’s Kerry McCarthy attacking the government earlier on a £115m fall in spending on risk management and flood defences this year. | Here is video of Labour’s Kerry McCarthy attacking the government earlier on a £115m fall in spending on risk management and flood defences this year. |
| McCarthy, shadow secretary of state for environment, also accused the government of climate-change scepticism. | McCarthy, shadow secretary of state for environment, also accused the government of climate-change scepticism. |
| Liz Truss, the environment secretary, defended the government’s current level of spending. | Liz Truss, the environment secretary, defended the government’s current level of spending. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 9.41pm GMT | at 9.41pm GMT |
| 7.10pm GMT | 7.10pm GMT |
| 19:10 | 19:10 |
| Some more images of scenes from some of the areas worst hit by flooding. | Some more images of scenes from some of the areas worst hit by flooding. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 7.54pm GMT | at 7.54pm GMT |
| 7.06pm GMT | 7.06pm GMT |
| 19:06 | 19:06 |
| Strong winds and flooding appear to have been a factor in at least two deaths over the weekend. | Strong winds and flooding appear to have been a factor in at least two deaths over the weekend. |
| • A man, 78, who was pulled from a stream close to the river Kent in Staveley. ITV Border reported that the man, who died near Kendall, had been trying to retrieve a barrel from the water to prevent flooding in the village. His wife was reported to have been at the scene but was unable to save him. | • A man, 78, who was pulled from a stream close to the river Kent in Staveley. ITV Border reported that the man, who died near Kendall, had been trying to retrieve a barrel from the water to prevent flooding in the village. His wife was reported to have been at the scene but was unable to save him. |
| His body was recovered at about 10am on Monday morning by emergency services in Cumbria, who had spent much of Sunday searching for him. | His body was recovered at about 10am on Monday morning by emergency services in Cumbria, who had spent much of Sunday searching for him. |
| • Ernie Crouch, 90, died on Sunday after he was apparently blown into the side of a moving bus by strong winds near Finchley Central tube station in London. | • Ernie Crouch, 90, died on Sunday after he was apparently blown into the side of a moving bus by strong winds near Finchley Central tube station in London. |
| Among those paying tribute to Crouch were Arsenal fans – he was a life-long and well-known supporter of the team – and the club itself: | Among those paying tribute to Crouch were Arsenal fans – he was a life-long and well-known supporter of the team – and the club itself: |
| Everyone at Arsenal Football Club is saddened to learn of the passing of lifelong fan Ernie Crouch. May he rest in peace | Everyone at Arsenal Football Club is saddened to learn of the passing of lifelong fan Ernie Crouch. May he rest in peace |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 7.46pm GMT | at 7.46pm GMT |
| 6.45pm GMT | 6.45pm GMT |
| 18:45 | 18:45 |
| Carlisle United appear to have been hit particularly hard by flooding. Some images have come in: | Carlisle United appear to have been hit particularly hard by flooding. Some images have come in: |
| The club has released a statement in which it expressed thanks to fans and others for the patience as the club begins the process of assessing the aftermath of this weekend’s flood. It added: | The club has released a statement in which it expressed thanks to fans and others for the patience as the club begins the process of assessing the aftermath of this weekend’s flood. It added: |
| As things stand, we have suspended ticket and hospitality sales for home and away fixtures – please bear with us as we put new procedures in place, in conjunction with the Football League and the clubs we are scheduled to play. | As things stand, we have suspended ticket and hospitality sales for home and away fixtures – please bear with us as we put new procedures in place, in conjunction with the Football League and the clubs we are scheduled to play. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 6.57pm GMT | at 6.57pm GMT |
| 6.33pm GMT | 6.33pm GMT |
| 18:33 | 18:33 |
| United Utilities have rejected any suggestion of mismanagement on their part in relation to Lake Thirlmere, where high water levels have been a factor in flooding in the Keswick area. | United Utilities have rejected any suggestion of mismanagement on their part in relation to Lake Thirlmere, where high water levels have been a factor in flooding in the Keswick area. |
| A spokesman told Fred Searle: | A spokesman told Fred Searle: |
| Thirlmere reservoir is well maintained and managed according to all the proper legislation and in accordance with the local arrangements agreed with Keswick Flood Action Group. | Thirlmere reservoir is well maintained and managed according to all the proper legislation and in accordance with the local arrangements agreed with Keswick Flood Action Group. |
| If the volume of water coming into the reservoir exceeds what can be released, the reservoir will fill up. November saw more than twice the normal level of rainfall and on 5 December alone, around 14,000m litres of water entered the reservoir, more than a third of its capacity. | If the volume of water coming into the reservoir exceeds what can be released, the reservoir will fill up. November saw more than twice the normal level of rainfall and on 5 December alone, around 14,000m litres of water entered the reservoir, more than a third of its capacity. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 6.58pm GMT | at 6.58pm GMT |
| 6.25pm GMT | 6.25pm GMT |
| 18:25 | 18:25 |
| Scottish councils will receive government funding if they can demonstrate that flooding from Storm Desmond caused an undue burden that could not have been accommodated in their local budgets, Scotland’s deputy first minister has pledged. | Scottish councils will receive government funding if they can demonstrate that flooding from Storm Desmond caused an undue burden that could not have been accommodated in their local budgets, Scotland’s deputy first minister has pledged. |
| The Press Association reports that John Swinney is inviting applications for an emergency funding programme known as the Bellwin scheme but advised there is no automatic entitlement and local authorities are expected to include a small amount within their annual budget to deal with unforeseen emergencies. | The Press Association reports that John Swinney is inviting applications for an emergency funding programme known as the Bellwin scheme but advised there is no automatic entitlement and local authorities are expected to include a small amount within their annual budget to deal with unforeseen emergencies. |
| Severe weather warnings remain in place throughout south-west Scotland but they have been downgraded to yellow from the more severe amber and the highest red level that came in the wake of Storm Desmond at the weekend. | Severe weather warnings remain in place throughout south-west Scotland but they have been downgraded to yellow from the more severe amber and the highest red level that came in the wake of Storm Desmond at the weekend. |
| People returned to their homes on Sunday night to assess the damage from record rainfall and high winds. | People returned to their homes on Sunday night to assess the damage from record rainfall and high winds. |
| At the peak of the problems about 300 homes were evacuated in Hawick as the river Teviot burst its banks, while properties in Newcastleton, Langholm, Annandale and Eskdale were also affected. | At the peak of the problems about 300 homes were evacuated in Hawick as the river Teviot burst its banks, while properties in Newcastleton, Langholm, Annandale and Eskdale were also affected. |
| 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. |
| The river Tay in Perth was also closely monitored as it approach its highest level for a decade and a handful of homes were evacuated in Bridge of Earn and Blair Atholl on Saturday night. | The river Tay in Perth was also closely monitored as it approach its highest level for a decade and a handful of homes were evacuated in Bridge of Earn and Blair Atholl on Saturday night. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 7.01pm GMT | at 7.01pm GMT |
| 6.12pm GMT | 6.12pm GMT |
| 18:12 | 18:12 |
| Speaking of David Cameron, here is some video footage of him in Carlisle today. | Speaking of David Cameron, here is some video footage of him in Carlisle today. |
| The prime minister visited a local family and the town’s flood defences, which were built during the last parliament, saying: “We built these great barriers here, which have prevented Carlisle from being flooded on two other occasions, but they weren’t enough this time.” | The prime minister visited a local family and the town’s flood defences, which were built during the last parliament, saying: “We built these great barriers here, which have prevented Carlisle from being flooded on two other occasions, but they weren’t enough this time.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 6.23pm GMT | at 6.23pm GMT |
| 6.02pm GMT | 6.02pm GMT |
| 18:02 | 18:02 |
| “Furious” flooding in Cumbria, Cockermouth and other places are in line with scientists’ predictions, the Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, has told a meeting in Paris organised by Trade Unions for Energy Democracy. | “Furious” flooding in Cumbria, Cockermouth and other places are in line with scientists’ predictions, the Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, has told a meeting in Paris organised by Trade Unions for Energy Democracy. |
| “Last year, the prime minister of Britain promised that ‘money is no object’ in dealing with flooding, itself a consequence of the destruction of our environment,” he said at the event, which is taking place against the the backdrop of Cop21. | “Last year, the prime minister of Britain promised that ‘money is no object’ in dealing with flooding, itself a consequence of the destruction of our environment,” he said at the event, which is taking place against the the backdrop of Cop21. |
| He added: | He added: |
| But this has proved to be yet another false promise. In the last parliament, the government slashed spending on flood defences before the 2014 winter floods. | But this has proved to be yet another false promise. In the last parliament, the government slashed spending on flood defences before the 2014 winter floods. |
| The government has failed to deliver on their promises. They have abandoned the consensus on flood investment built by the Labour party after the 2007 floods – and are failing the British people because of their obsession with austerity.” | The government has failed to deliver on their promises. They have abandoned the consensus on flood investment built by the Labour party after the 2007 floods – and are failing the British people because of their obsession with austerity.” |
| However, I would like to offer my thanks to the emergency services: firefighters, police, emergency services and the armed forces [for] their tireless work in keeping those suffering from flooding safe. | However, I would like to offer my thanks to the emergency services: firefighters, police, emergency services and the armed forces [for] their tireless work in keeping those suffering from flooding safe. |
| Here’s a picture tweeted from the event by Trade Unions for Energy Democracy: | Here’s a picture tweeted from the event by Trade Unions for Energy Democracy: |
| #JezWeKlein our speakers are out to rapturous applause! pic.twitter.com/A2fgTfqB0u | #JezWeKlein our speakers are out to rapturous applause! pic.twitter.com/A2fgTfqB0u |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 6.11pm GMT | at 6.11pm GMT |
| 5.43pm GMT | 5.43pm GMT |
| 17:43 | 17:43 |
| Keswick’s mayor Paul Titley has suggested that more could have been done to prevent flooding in his town. | Keswick’s mayor Paul Titley has suggested that more could have been done to prevent flooding in his town. |
| The cause of the flooding was extremely heavy rainfall, he told Fred Searle, who contacted him from the Guardian. But he said that mismanagement of nearby Lake Thirlmere, which acts as a catchment for water coming off the surrounding hills, made flooding in Keswick more likely. | The cause of the flooding was extremely heavy rainfall, he told Fred Searle, who contacted him from the Guardian. But he said that mismanagement of nearby Lake Thirlmere, which acts as a catchment for water coming off the surrounding hills, made flooding in Keswick more likely. |
| When Lake Thirlmere is empty, we’re pretty much safe here because Thirlmere acts as a catchment for all the water coming off the fells. This time it was full. It was also full in 2009. | When Lake Thirlmere is empty, we’re pretty much safe here because Thirlmere acts as a catchment for all the water coming off the fells. This time it was full. It was also full in 2009. |
| United Utilities [who manage water levels in the lake] are paid to keep it full so the good people of Manchester can have a bath. | United Utilities [who manage water levels in the lake] are paid to keep it full so the good people of Manchester can have a bath. |
| We’d rather it had a lot more space left in it in the winter so we don’t face the risk of the water spilling over, which is what happened at the weekend. | We’d rather it had a lot more space left in it in the winter so we don’t face the risk of the water spilling over, which is what happened at the weekend. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 6.08pm GMT | at 6.08pm GMT |
| 5.37pm GMT | 5.37pm GMT |
| 17:37 | 17:37 |
| The Met Office has warned that “all the evidence” suggests climate change played a role in the floods which have devastated thousands of homes following Storm Desmond. | The Met Office has warned that “all the evidence” suggests climate change played a role in the floods which have devastated thousands of homes following Storm Desmond. |
| The Met Office’s chief scientist Dame Julia Slingo said the extreme weather conditions were “extraordinary”. | The Met Office’s chief scientist Dame Julia Slingo said the extreme weather conditions were “extraordinary”. |
| She told BBC Radio 4’s World At One: | She told BBC Radio 4’s World At One: |
| Is it to do with climate change? There can’t yet be a definitive answer but we know that all the evidence from fundamental physics and what we understand about our weather patterns, that there is potentially a role. | Is it to do with climate change? There can’t yet be a definitive answer but we know that all the evidence from fundamental physics and what we understand about our weather patterns, that there is potentially a role. |
| This is Ben Quinn taking over the liveblog now from Andrew. | This is Ben Quinn taking over the liveblog now from Andrew. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 5.39pm GMT | at 5.39pm GMT |
| 5.23pm GMT | 5.23pm GMT |
| 17:23 | 17:23 |