The chairman of the environment select committee says the government will need to spend more on flood defences in future.

Tiverton and Honiton, external Conservative MP Neil Parish said Britain was getting more periods of extreme weather and needed to adapt accordingly.

He refused to be drawn on exactly how much should be spent - but said it could mean doubling the current budget:

"We're never going to stop all flooding when you have 13, 14 inches of rain in 24 hours. But we have got to make sure we can defend more than we are at the moment. And we're going to have to put real cash into it," he said.

A county councillor from Appleby, Andy Connell, says it will take a long time for the community to rebuild.  

Network Rail says the blockade on the West Coast Main Line route between London and Scotland that was imposed north of Carlisle due to flood damage has been lifted, and the line is now open again. 

The first train north is due imminently. 

This is what the engineers had to remove:

Image source, Network Rail

Owain Wyn Evans
Weather presenter, BBC Look North

It will be generally dry, with some good spells of sunshine. However some heavy showers are likely to develop at times.

It will also be rather windy, with gales likely in coastal parts such as the area around Barrow-in-Furness, and over exposed hills.

Maximum temperature: 11C (52F). For more detail on the forecast click here.

Keswick Mountain Rescue Team have a great story on their Facebook page, external.

We leave them to tell you the tale:

Image source, Keswick Mountain Rescue Team

Paul Mooney
BBC Weather

The statistics in the wake of Storm Desmond are remarkable.

Generally speaking, most parts of Cumbria received more rain in two days than they would normally expect during the whole month of December.

The rain gauge at Honister collected a massive 341.4mm (13.7 inches) of rain between Friday & Saturday evening, making it the highest 24 hours total on record in the UK: a record previously set at Seathwaite (316.4mm) in November 2009.

Thirlmere also smashed the previous record with 322.6mm during the same period. In fact during the 38-hour period up to 08:00 on Sunday, Thirlmere recorded a colossal total of 405mm (16.2ins).

Insurers say a "small army" of claims managers are at the scene of flood-hit areas, but they urge affected residents to follow advice to protect any claims.

Image source, AP

Householders have been told to stay safe, but to act to reduce risks of further damage or loss.

BBC News has more insurance advice.

Cumbria Live
Magazine

If you need help in Cumbria or can offer it, please add your info to spiritofcumbria.co.uk, external.

Image source, Cumbria Live

A three-day flood forecast shows that Cumbria will remain a low-risk area.

This is for river and surface water flooding, the Environment Agency says, external.

Image source, Environment Agency

Comedian Steve Coogan spent the night in his car in Cumbria stuck between two landslides in the aftermath of Storm Desmond. 

The actor was driving near Thirlmere lake during a trip to Coniston when he became trapped. 

With no signal on his phone he was forced to sleep in his car with just his dog for company. 

He told BBC Breakfast, external: "I went down the back of Thirlmere lake and got stuck on a landslide there. I was trying to drive past it in this four wheel drive because the other roads were blocked. 

"Fortunately I had my dog with me, so he kept me company and I'd been to the shops, so I survived 'Bear Grylls' style on nuts and berries - but I bought them at Marks and Spencer." 

The Guardian

The Guardian is reporting that a man who moved to Warwick Road in Carlisle from a flood zone in Morpeth, Northumberland, says he was reassured by the council and estate agents that the flood defences meant there would not be a repeat of the 2005 chaos, external.

Image source, Getty Images

Helen Williamson had a walk around Cockermouth and captured the devastation for the Victoria Derbyshire show.

She visited shops on the high street and saw the scale of how much food had been contaminated and how much damage has been done.

Shopw owner Jonty Chippendale says it's "the support of the community that gives you the strength".

You can check on the flood warnings where you live using our live interactive map.

Disruption and rescues have continued in the aftermath of Storm Desmond which has hit parts of the UK, particularly Cumbria and Lancashire.

Here are some images from the severe flooding caused - see the full gallery here.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, AFP

An appeal launched to raise funds to support people and communities devastated by the flooding has hit £400,000.

It will provide financial help for people who have been affected.

The target has been set to raise £1m.

Nick Garnett
BBC Radio 5 Live

I've been told a cow went into the river north of Carlisle and ended up, alive, 15 miles downstream. 

We're chasing it (the story, not the cow).