United Kingdom floods: Extra soldiers sent to stricken areas

Emergency teams are working to evacuate people from homes in York, as flooding continues to hit northern England, the media reported on Sunday. Rescuers have been evacuating homes in York where water levels are still rising, and thousands of people in north-west England are without power.

The floods have also affected transport links in the North. Some 16 road closures are in effect in Cumbria, while Northern Rail has urged passengers not to travel in Cumbria, East Lancashire and West Yorkshire unless their journey is “absolutely necessary”.

The official Met Office weather service indicated that only very small amounts of rain are expected in the flooded areas in the next day.

More than a hundred flood warnings remained in place on Sunday, including 24 severe warnings, which indicate a danger to life, the government said.

David Cameron has chaired a conference call of the Government’s emergency Cobra committee as ministers worked to tackle what he described as “unprecedented flooding”.

Nearly 200 other flood warnings are in force in the north of England as well as the Midlands and parts of Wales.

David Cameron has put 1,000 troops on alert to deal with “unprecedented” flooding in the north of England amid warnings that some areas face yet another deluge this week.

Power has been restored to 15,765 properties in Rochdale, and around 4,500 remain without electricity after a substation there was flooded – five years after flood defences there received a £470,000 upgrade to protect against a “one-in-200-year” flood.

Electricity North West warned that some properties may be without power until Monday.

The Labour Party, in turn, reproduced a two-month-old warning from Professor Colin Mellors, the man the Government appointed earlier this year to take charge of Yorkshire’s flood defences.

Parts of Leeds and Greater Manchester were among those which have been affected by the flooding.

The Government has vowed to review flood defences as an extra 500 troops were mobilised to help 400 soldiers and the emergency services carry out mass evacuations in northern England, while a further 1,500 are on standby in Yorkshire.

Lisa Pallister, 36, made a decision to leave her home in York with her family as flood waters rose.

Flood waters in some streets had nearly totally submerged parked cars and members of the emergency services were paddling around in dinghies checking for stranded residents.

“We will do everything we can to help people in this their hour of need”, Mr Cameron said.

“Simple things like turning off your Christmas lights or not using your washing machine or dishwasher for a while would make a huge difference”.

Todmorden resident Lee Fraser said roads were flooded and people were moving their belongings upstairs to avoid the floodwaters. The council said it had opened a second rest centre for those affected by the flooding in the north of the city.

“One of the big questions we will be asking is what the most effective response is”.

“The Prime Minister has said there will be a review but that’s going to take time and we need measures in the meantime to keep us safe”.

“A preventable disaster like this must never happen again”.