Alison Freeman
BBC Look North

Here's Warwick Road in Carlisle - a river.

Mountain rescue teams are among those helping to take people to safety.

BBC Weather

Aside from the odd, isolated shower, it should be largely dry and bright through the rest of the day, with the wind easing too, but impacts will continue to be felt in many areas.

Maximum temperature: 10C (50F).

The Met Office has yellow warnings in place as the amber and red warnings have expired.

Duncan Leatherdale
BBC News Online

The cross-Tyne ferry had to be rescued after its engine failed and it was carried off in a "howling gale". 

The Tynemouth RNLI lifeboat went to the aid of the Spirit of the Tyne at 23:30 on Saturday as it made its final crossing between North and South Shields. 

Image source, Chris Reay/RNLI

A small number of passengers were rescued by the Port of Tyne pilot boat before the ferry, manned only by the captain, was blown into a river bank. 

There was further drama when the tow rope being used by the lifeboat to pull the ferry snapped and the powerless ferry started to drift again, but the pilot joined the rescue and the ferry was returned to South Shields.

Image source, Chris Reay/RNLI

In November 2009 unprecedented rainfall caused rivers to burst their banks, flooding towns and villages.

Gary Parsons, Bay Search and Rescue in Cumbria told BBC Radio Cumbria this morning: "My gut feeling is this was worse than what we dealt with in 2009.

"The area affected is just enormous."

Damage to homes, businesses and infrastructure caused by the Cumbrian floods in 2009 (pictured) resulted in a £276m bill.

About 60,000 properties in Lancaster, Morecambe, Carnforth and the surrounding area could be without power for "a number of days" following flooding to a major electricity substation in Lancaster, Electricity North West has said.

Image source, Electricity North West

Engineers have been working "around the clock" to repair damage to overhead power lines and electricity substations caused by severe gales and flooding in Cumbria and Lancaster.

They are working with Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service to determine when it is safe to access the flooded substation in Lancaster.  

Residents and emergency services in Carlisle have been coming to terms this morning with the severe flooding there.

Here are some of the latest photos: 

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Cumbria Police say they have received reports of road closed signs being removed and motorists continuing to drive through "dangerous and partially-blocked" roads. They warn it is putting lives at risk.

They say that although the rain has subsided in the south of the county, the River Kent remains high and a large number of roads including the A590 at Brettargh halt remain impassable.  Motorists are asked not to drive through any flood water.

Members of the public are asked to check on their neighbours, elderly and the vulnerable in their area before calling for emergency service assistance.

This image of a heavily-flooded Carlisle was sent in by Bob Stinger.

He's a pilot and flight instructor, hence the lofty views of the landscape.

Image source, Bob Stinger

Cumbria Police, external are warning residents of Carlisle to stay indoors and not travel but to charge their mobile devices.

Cumbria Police along with Military and Mountain Rescue Teams are warning and informing residents in Carlisle who could be affected by flooding.

They are advising people to self-evacuate to family/friends or attend one of the reception centres in Carlisle, external.

Cumbria County Council have collated flooding advice on their website, external.

The Environment Agency says water levels on the River Wyre and the River Lune peaked on Saturday evening and are now falling. 

Image source, John Gray

The rivers will remain high throughout Sunday but no further property flooding is expected. The River Ribble has also peaked and is being monitored.  

Maryport Coastguard Rescue Team helped evacuate 120 people trapped on a river bank at a residential park at Penrith after their caravans flooded

Helicopters from Prestwick and Humber worked through the night to rescue people from flooded homes and vehicles in Carlisle.

Here a family and their dog are rescued by the coastguard on Warwick Road in the centre of Carlisle:

Image source, PA

There is disruption on the M6 near Shap after a truck was blown on to its side.

More traffic updates on the BBC Travel website.

The River Eden has burst its banks and this is the scene about 100 yards away - this is usually a busy roundabout in the centre of Carlisle.

The ground floor of the civic centre is flooded.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said Storm Desmond has proved to be "a really difficult time for all emergency services". 

Image source, Electricity North West

Chief fire officer Chris Kenny said their efforts focussed on moving vulnerable people who were stranded where ambulances couldn't get through. 

 "Our focus then was trying to stop the power outage at the Lancaster substation," he said. "You're battling against rising water and it's relentless."