Cumbrian conference centre closed by Storm Desmond

Many have been quick to compare this latest storm to the major rainfall that battered Britain in January of 2005 which prompted heavy investments in flood protections, though it seems this storm may be worse.

Meanwhile, the Government has pledged £51m for homes and businesses affected by the floods.

The Met Office’s chief scientist Dame Julia Slingo said the extreme weather conditions were “extraordinary”.

Households would be able to claim up to £5,000 each to deal with the aftermath of Storm Desmond, said Mr Osborne, as he stood in for David Cameron at Prime Minister’s Questions.

Roads were closed by United Kingdom officials this weekend over fears of further flooding and landslides, prompting travel disruptions, while the Met Office issued its most severe red warning for rain in Cumbria and parts of Scotland.

After sharp criticism of the flood protection the British environmental agency announced that had been spent in the past ten years 45 million pounds, about 63 million euro, for protective measures.

During a visit to Carlisle, the prime minister said the flooding was “absolutely horrific” and he promised to re-examine Cumbria’s flood defence plans. He fell in the River on Sunday.

Two people – in Cumbria and Northern Ireland – are also reported to have died as a result of the flooding.

Electricity North West said yesterday that engineers had restored power to all but 2,525 homes in Lancaster and 1,514 in Cumbria affected over the weekend.

Electricity North West said 61,000 customers had lost power across Heysham, Morecambe, Carnforth and Lancaster.

As of Wednesday afternoon, there was one severe flood warning – indicating danger to life – in place in northwest England for the area covering part of St. Michaels.

In Cumbria, the majority of schools will re-open on Tuesday except for 11 which will remain closed.

He said: “It doesn’t matter what it is, it will help someone”.

The tax waiver was agreed at a meeting of the Government’s Cobra emergencies committee in Whitehall, as thousands of people across the north of England and Scotland were clearing up after the devastation caused by Storm Desmond.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn accused the Government of making “yet another false promise” on flood defence spending. But this has proved to be yet another false promise.

The Treasury said £500 would be offered to homeowners in need of temporary accommodation and a grant of up to £5,000 would be available to pay for barriers, waterproof doors and higher electrical sockets to protect their home in the future. Liz Truss has been doing something similar today.

“As the countys Community Foundation we aim to raise funds to provide vital support for individuals and families and their communities who are affected at this time”.

More than a month’s rain has fallen over 24 hours in some areas, with the counties of Cumbria and Lancashire badly affected.