LONDON (AA) – A ‘major incident’ has been declared in England’s Cumbria region as strong winds and heavy rain are causing serious floods, disruptions and evacuation.
At least 1000 residents in some Cumbria towns have been evacuated as some rivers reached highest levels.
As Storm Desmond moves across the north of UK, the Met office, the UK’s national weather service, has issued red warnings in Cumbria and Northumberland earlier Saturday.
Scotland and Wales were also badly affected by the storm.
Train companies issued a warning of a major disruption as gusts reached 85 mph in some places.
The red warning, the highest level of alert, indicates that there is a likely risk to life and severe disruptions are expected. Local people were urged to take precautionary action and remain extra vigilant.