“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”.
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Virgin Trains reopened West Coast Main Line rail services through Cumbria and military engineers have been assisting highways authorities in getting roads back into use.
This latest incident is a reminder to Government and industry as we move closer to implementation of a system of insurance for homes and businesses at flood risk, the so called Flood Re scheme, that the non-inclusion of agricultural land and buildings leaves them horribly and unfairly exposed.
Business owner Jon Holdsworth, of Patterdale Hall Estate half-a-mile away, described the floods as “biblical” as he watched his camping and caravan business disappear under water.
About 12 hours of rain had been predicted to fall on the area last night prompting the Environment Agency to two flood warnings and 13 alerts.
Later Cumbria Police pleaded with members of the public to say away, saying they were only hampering the rescue efforts.
In Carlisle, the Army was sent to help support emergency services evacuating people from their homes in streets where cars were nearly entirely submerged.
H&H has already reported on one horse that died because of the floods, despite rescue attempts, horses being led to safety with the help of a tractor and a donkey in Ireland that had a lucky escape.
A Lancashire Flood Recovery Fund Appeal has been launched today to support those in Lancashire who are affected by Storm Desmond this week. There is anger among some people affected by the deluge, with accusations Government spending on flood defences has fallen.
The leader of Cumbria County Council Stewart Young, said that the news was “welcome”.
All road bridges in Kendal are now open, while the Cocker Bridge in Cockermouth is also open but not the Derwent Bridge.
A total of 131 bridges remain closed having been identified as being of strategic importance and requiring immediate inspection.
“Unfortunately due to unforeseen flood damage at that site a significant fault has occurred”.
Mr Stevenson said: “What I found interesting about what the Chancellor said was “We will be assessing the extent of the damage” and I think that means that if the county needs additional fund we will be be making a strong case for further support”.
He warned that people should “stay vigilant” with more bad weather forecast over the next few days.
In Lancaster, 55,000 properties lost power when a substation was flooded. The floods have raised questions on why the multi-million-pound flood defences that were upgraded in 2010 to withstand a “once in 100 years” flood, were breached at the weekend.
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The UK experienced a very wet November this year, which helped to saturate the ground and exacerbate conditions ahead of the weekend’s intense rainfall, according to RMS.
