https://proudstars.blogspot.com/2015/12/the-devastation-from-above-aerial.html
The devastation from above: Aerial photographs show widespread flooding across Cumbria caused by Storm Desmond as residents tell of despair after £48million flood defences fail to do their job
- Aerial photos show the vast flooding across Cumbria after Storm Desmond brought 13.5 inches of rain in 24 hours
- Pensioners, children and pets had to be rescued from their homes in Carlisle as the military were called in to help
- More than 60,000 homes across north west have been left without power due to the devastation caused by floods
- David Cameron said the government will do all it can to help and announced emergency Cobra meeting later today
These dramatic aerial photographs show the widespread devastation across the north west of England where more than 1,000 residents have been forced to evacuate their homes due to severe flooding despite £48million being spent on flood defences in recent years in a bid to stop such scenes.
Fields, homes and even Carlisle United's football ground have been left under water after rivers burst their banks and flood defences struggled to cope by the huge amount of rainfall which hit the country over the weekend.
Flooding was so severe in Cumbria that a major incident had to be declared and Army personnel and Chinook helicopters were called in to help the police, mountain rescue teams and firefighters reach those who were stranded in their homes, as the water rose to waist-height.
The Government is expected to announce a new record amount of rainfall within a 24-hour period after 13.5 inches - more than one months' worth - fell between Friday night and Saturday evening.
Carlisle was among the worst affected areas - with around 2,000 homes and businesses flooded - and residents were told to stay indoors and not to travel as conditions were highly 'dangerous'. Those already evacuated from their homes had been told not to return last night and faced a night sleeping in makeshift shelter accommodation, while more than 60,000 properties remain without power.
As emergency services across the north of the country remain stretched, fears continue to grow over the welfare of an elderly man who police believe fell into the swollen River Kent in Kendal during the height of the flooding.
Prime Minister David Cameron said the government is doing all it can to help communities caught up in the devastation left by Storm Desmond and said he would chair a meeting of the Government's Cobra contingencies committee later today to co-ordinate Whitehall's response to the flooding.
However, angry residents responded in despair claiming the £48million flood defences installed in recent years had failed to protect them from the deluge.
Carlisle United Football Club's stadium, Brunton Park, remains under water today as extreme flooding hit Cumbria and the north east thanks to Storm Desmond. Carlisle players have now offered support to the 1,000 residents who have been evacuated from their homes
