Storm Desmond causes major disruption in northern England

SCHOOLS and hospitals have been closed in parts of northern England, and hundreds of residents have been evacuated by emergency service boats.  Some people had to be evacuated from their homes in the very early hours of the morning.

In Eamont Bridge near Penrith in Cumbria, 150 people were rescued by the Coastguard from a caravan park.  The village of Braithwaite was completely cut off when its main bridge collapsed as the river burst its banks.

60,000 homes have have been left without power, with Cumbria the worst affected area.  More rain is forecast for later in the week.  33cm of rain fell in just one day in the town of Honister in Cumbria, the most rain ever to have fallen in a 24 hour period.  In Carlisle, the River Eden reached over 6 meters, more than 1.5 meters more than the previous record.

The army has been called in to help as 130 flood warnings remain in place across Britain.

Prime Minister David Cameron is due to hold an emergency Cobra meeting on Monday December 7 to discuss the response to the flooding.