Storm Desmond: What you need to know

More heavy rain is expected to fall in parts of northern England and Scotland as hundreds remain without power after Storm Desmond caused severe flooding.

Prime Minister David Cameron is chairing an emergency Cobra meeting as further heavy rain and strong winds are forecast.

One of the worst affected was Carlisle, which was hit by flooding in 2005, where the army has been drafted in to help the rescue effort.

Read: How can I protect my home during a flood?

The Army have been drafted in to help the rescue effort. Credit: PA

Regions affected:

  • North West

  • North East

  • Midlands

  • Wales

  • A full list of affected areas is available on the Environment Agency website.

Floodwater covers gardens in Hawick, Scotland. Credit: PA

Current weather warnings in place:

  • 16 Severe Flood Warnings - severe flooding with a danger to life

  • 58 Flood Warnings - flooding is expected, immediate action is required

  • 30 Flood Alerts - flooding is possible, be prepared

Tens of thousands of homes were affected. Credit: PA

How many homes have been affected?

Electricity North West said 42,000 homes in Lancaster and the surrounding area and around 2,657 properties in Cumbria were without power on Monday afternoon.

Some 60,000 were cut off over the weekend following record rainfall in the 24 hours between Friday and Saturday evenings.

United Utilities said a small number of customers in Keswick, Borrowdale Valley and Lancaster are without water following the floods.

Cumbria has been badly hit by the floods Credit: Environment Agency

Is more rain forecast?

The Met Office has forecast further heavy rain will fall in parts of Scotland and northern England until Thursday.

Strong winds of up to 60mph are also forecast for Wednesday and Thursday.

School closures:

A number of schools will be closed on Monday due to the floods.

For more information and updates on closures check the council websites in Cumbria, Lancashire, Dumfries and Galloway and The Scottish Borders.

Hospitals affected:

The disruption has led to the cancellation of operations, appointments and routine services across NHS hospitals and services in Cumbria and Lancashire.

Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, North Cumbria University Hospital Trust and Cumbria Clinical Commissioning Group have all been affected.

Travel disruption:

Trains:

First TransPennine Express, Northern Rail and Virgin Train services have been affected by the flooding.

No rail services will run between Carlisle and Scotland due to flooding and a landslip, with that section of the West Coast Main Line set to be closed until Wednesday. No replacement road services will be available due to the weather, Virgin Trains said.

Travellers are advised to use services from Birmingham to Edinburgh via Newcastle.

Lancaster station has been closed due to a power cut, though trains will be able to call there during daylight hours.The Caledonian Sleeper will be diverted via the East Coast Main Line on Monday night and will not stop at immediate stations between London and Glasgow or Edinburgh.

Passengers should check www.nationalrail.co.uk or with their train operator for the latest information before travelling by rail.

Roads:

The A69 in Cumbria is closed in both directions between the A689 at Brampton and the M6 J43 near Carlisle due to flooding at Warwick Bridge near the River Eden.

Traffic Scotland has "travel with caution" warnings in place across much of the country and is warning people to have "sufficient fuel and supplies such as warm clothing, food and water in the event you are delayed for several hours".

The AA has 50 patrols in action across Cumbria and has brought in special 4x4 resources to deal with more than 70 breakdowns. Drivers encountering problems in Cumbria have been asked, where possible, to call back once flood water has subsided.

For more information on closures go to the Highways England, Traffic Wales and Traffic Scotland websites.