Insurers have outlined advice for those affected by floods - now and in the future, while compensation is also available to those whose train journeys were affected and to some of those whose power has been cut.

David Cameron has told a press conference that "record sums" are being invested in flood defences, "but the events of the last 24, 48 hours demonstrate that sometimes there are levels of rainfall, levels of flooding that it's extremely hard to protect against." 

The BBC's Danny Savage reports from Carlisle's Warwick Road area, where the perimeter of the flood zone has shrunk, but 36 hours on, people are still being rescued.

There has been much talk of flood defences - and their efficacy - but just how do you go about stopping such a deluge? This piece can help answer that question.

It gives you the run-down on temporary measures to deal with emergencies, as well as longer term steps such as dredging and sustainable building methods.

Ian Stephens, managing director of Cumbria Tourism, has appealed to the government to provide money to help the industry recover as quickly as possible.

"Cumbria Tourism has a great deal of experience in dealing with such crises and played a key role in co-ordinating business recovery after the 2005, 2009 Cumbria floods and the foot-and-mouth outbreak in 2001," he said.

The organisation has set up a helpline - 01539 822222 during normal office hours - to provide visitors and businesses with up-to-date information.

James Landale
Deputy political editor

David Cameron chaired the government's emergency committee for just under an hour this morning. Ministers were briefed down the line by chief constables from the affected areas. The prime minister's official spokesman said the discussion focused on three phases. The first looked at the current situation on the ground, assessing priorities, including transport issues and restoring power. 

The second focused "on what the government can do to help communities affected as they get back on their feet" including support for businesses and local authorities. 

The third was an agreement "that the government should now look again at the plans that we have in place and the flood defences that already exist, and whether there needs to be adjustment made to those based on the fact that we have seen unprecedented amounts of rainfall in some areas, going above the flood defences that had been planned for on the basis of the levels of water that there were in 2005".

Environment Secretary Liz Truss has published a statement on the floods. , external

In it, she says flood defences - which have been criticised in some quarters - "protected 8,600 homes across the north of England and, in thousands of other instances, provided vital time for homes and businesses to be evacuated as well as reducing the impact".

Ms Truss says she's heading to Cumbria along with the prime minister later.

Cumbria Police have released a statement, external concerning looting in flood-hit areas. 

"There has been some speculation to suggest that police are dealing with looting incidents in the county, particularly in Carlisle.

"After the 2005 floods there were several looting reports and as a result, following the 2009 floods the patrols were stepped up in preparation."As a precaution, extra patrols for this purpose have again been deployed in the Carlisle area."However, at this time we have had no reports of looting."  

Anglican bishops in Lancashire have said their "thoughts and prayers" are with those affected by flooding in the region.

In a joint statement, the Rt Rev Julian Henderson, Bishop of Blackburn, the Rt Rev Geoff Pearson, Bishop of Lancaster, and the Rt Rev Philip North, Bishop of Burnley also thanked the emergency services for their work.

Dr Jillian Labadz, a flood expert at Nottingham Trent University, says it's not surprising flood defences were overtopped, given Storm Desmond looks to have brought a record amount of rainfall for a single day.

She said it was important to make communities more resilient to flooding. 

Green Party leader, Natalie Bennett has offered her sympathy to those hit by the floods, but has also made it clear she thinks there is a wider context to what's happening.

Ms Bennett added: "Storm Desmond also brings into serious question government plans to cut funding for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and its failure to commit to enhancing the spending for maintenance of flood defences, when this is so clearly needed."

This plaque on Eden Bridge in the centre of Carlisle was installed after the floods 10 years ago. It looks like these floods at least equalled that level.  

Image source, Getty Images

It's getting better in Carlisle, but it's a long way from being over. The water in the Warwick Road area of the city is receding and the perimeter of the flood zone has shrunk. But 36 hours on, people are still being rescued. Lifeboat crews say these are mainly people who thought they would tough it out at home but have finally decided enough is enough. 

Where the water has drained away residents are now assessing the damage. Soaking carpets are being pulled up and ruined belongings thrown away. And they know what's ahead. It will take months to dry out these homes and people here are well acquainted with the long, miserable experience.

Norman Smith
Assistant political editor

The Liberal Democrats are calling on the government to seek emergency EU funding to help communities hit by the flooding. 

The EU Solidarity Fund - which has a budget of up to £359 million a year - was set up to provide financial assistance to EU countries struck by major natural disasters. When the 2007 floods hit, the UK was granted £134 million from the fund. 

Lib Dem leader Tim Farron said:

Labour's shadow environment secretary Kerry McCarthy says more needs to be done to combat future flooding: