Flood warnings issued as storm Desmond batters UK

Cumbrian police have declared Storm Desmond a “major incident”, and set up reception centers in town halls and leisure complexes, as entire villages have been evacuated.

However, Twitter is already awash with pictures of severe flooding, showing massive damage to roads, houses and public areas.

Storm Desmond, the fourth named storm of the season, is expected to bring a windy weekend for the whole of the UK.

Met Eireann has issued four weather warnings with a Status Red rainfall warning in place for Connacht and counties Donegal, Clare, and Kerry until the early hours of tomorrow morning.

Roads have been closed throughout the region as high winds and heavy rainfall triggered landslides, flooding and traffic chaos.

A further 73 flood warnings – meaning flooding is expected – were in place across Scotland, while there were also 15 alerts for potential flooding.

The 90-year-old man was walking along Chaville Way in Finchley, north London, when he is feared to have been pushed by strong winds into the side of a bus.

Fresh downpours are expected on Monday and another weather warning has been put in place.

Police have warned against all but essential travel, with a series of major roads disrupted.

Two severe flood warnings, which warn of a danger to life, have also been issued by the Environment Agency for the River Tyne in Corbridge, Northumberland.

A spokesman said: “In anticipating that there may be areas of flooding, Police Scotland would also advise that you are mindful of the road conditions and drive accordingly”.

Selby Road in Leeds was closed outbound between Century Way and the M1 junction 46 after panels blew off a roof.

Images on TV and social media showed cars almost submerged, overturned trucks and rushing waters.

British Red Cross teams are supporting residents affected by flooding in Cumbria by setting up rest centres in Keswick, Appleby and Kendal, where around 50 homes are thought to have been flooded.

Patterdale and Glenridding were also hit hard after torrential rain accompanied by storm force winds lashed the Lake District mountains.

Scottish Environment Minister Aileen McLeod said the Scottish Government and Transport Scotland were closely monitoring the situation.

“Sepa have issued numerous flood warnings across the country and we would urge people in those areas to pay attention to the up-to-date information being provided, consider whether you need to travel and take all possible precautions to stay safe, particularly in the worst-affected areas”.

A spokesperson from the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) said: “NWAS has been operating under extremely challenging circumstances this evening with severe floods in Cumbria and Lancashire preventing access to many parts of the counties”.