Cameron sees damage caused in Carlislepublished at 16:23
Prime Minister David Cameron has attended a meeting of flood rescue services at police headquarters in Carlisle after seeing the damage flooding caused in the town.
Image source, ReutersSummary
Unprecedented flooding across Cumbria after Storm Desmond
Body found in River Kent during search for missing man
David Cameron says flooding was 'absolutely horrific'
UK record rainfall in Cumbria, Met Office confirms
Updates resume at 06:30 on Tuesday
Cameron sees damage caused in Carlislepublished at 16:23
Image source, ReutersEnvironment Secretary details flooding responsepublished at 16:19
Environment Secretary Liz Truss told the Commons action was taken last Friday in preparation for Storm Desmond.
Temporary defences and pumps were moved, with 200 military personnel mobilised and a Chinook helicopter made available as part of the emergency response on Saturday.
Ms Truss said about 800,000 properties were protected by flood defences although more than 3,500 properties were flooded across the country by Sunday morning, with the majority in Cumbria.
More than 2,000 of the homes were in Cumbria, 600 each in Kendal and Keswick and 200 in Appleby. Ms Truss said 55,000 homes lost power and there have been "a number of weather-related fatalities".
Carlisle rugby club ground under waterpublished at 16:11
Away from the Commons, here's a view of the one of the entrances to Carlisle rugby ground near where rescue workers continue to evacuate people from their homes.
The pitch, it is fair to say, is not very playable...
Image source, Getty ImagesEnvironment Secretary set to travel to Cumbriapublished at 16:05
Environment Secretary Liz Truss told the Commons lessons will be learned from this "extreme weather event".
She added the government is investing £2.3bn in 1,500 schemes over the course of the parliament that will protect 300,000 homes from flooding.
Ms Truss also revealed she will travel to Cumbria and Lancashire immediately after making her statement.
Spending 'will cut flooding risk by 5%'published at 16:02
Richard Moss
Political Editor, BBC Look NorthEnvironment Secretary Liz Truss says analysis of future government spending on defences suggests it'll deliver a 5% cut in flood risk in the country.
Minister: Floods consistent with climate changepublished at 15:55
The Environment secretary Liz Trust says she accepts that severe weather like that which flooded Cumbria is becoming more frequent because of climate change.
Ms Truss told MPs that the government would have to reassess what it was spending.
Hospital services 'must not be downgraded'published at 15:52
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End of twitter postMP says people are 'desperately worried' about further rainpublished at 15:47
Shadow environment secretary Kerry McCarthy is up now.
She says people are "desperately worried" about further bad weather tomorrow.
Government 'will reimburse councils for flood costs'published at 15:45
Environment Secretary Liz Truss says she's bringing the Bellwin scheme into operation - meaning that local councils will be recompensed for money they spend dealing with the floods and repairing some of the damage.
West Coast Main Line 'off until Wednesday'published at 15:43
Environment Secretary Liz Truss says the West Coast Main Line will not be operational until Wednesday "at the earliest".
Environment Secretary speaks of flood fatalitiespublished at 15:42
Environment Secretary Liz Truss says eight rescue centres are open across Cumbria for people whose homes were flooded.
She also told MPs there have been "a number of fatalities" caused or exacerbated by the floods.
Liz Truss: 'Deepest sympathies' to those affectedpublished at 15:40
Environment Secretary Liz Truss, making a statement to the Commons, says this weekend has bought extreme weather conditions, with an "unprecedented" amount of rainfall on Saturday.
The government mobilised a full emergency response, she says.
She expresses her "deepest sympathies to those who have been affected" across the UK.
Environment Secretary speaks on floodspublished at 15:38
Environment Secretary Liz Truss is speaking in the Commons about the flooding.
RSPCA teams rescue pets - and peoplepublished at 15:38
Four RSPCA teams have been working in the flooded areas of Cumbria, rescuing pets, other animals, and even some people.
Image source, RSPCAThe teams had to answer 77 calls for help, rescuing eight dogs, seven cats, four rabbits and three hens so far.
They've also been involved in rescuing 36 people - including a semi-conscious elderly man who was stretchered from a nursing home.
MP Farron 'had to pull children from flooded car'published at 15:34
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End of twitter postKendal homeless charity offers beds for flood victimspublished at 15:31
The Kendal-based charity for helping homeless people, Manna House, external, says that for the next few weeks it will accommodate flooding victims as well.
They're operating from the Salvation Army offices in Gillingate, with inflatable beds and a hot meal.
Photos show level of flooding at Carlisle Unitedpublished at 15:25
It's probably not too surprising to hear Carlisle United have suspended ticket sales (see below at 14:35).
This is what the ground looks like now:
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, geHundreds of homes without telephone linespublished at 15:17
Flooding caused by Storm Desmond has damaged phone signals at 557 properties in the Glenridding and Glencoyne areas.
Cumbria Police Ch Insp Terry Bathgate said: “I would like to reassure residents that we are working hard with Vodafone to be able to restore telephony to these areas.
“In order to ensure the safety of residents Cumbria Police and NWAS will be increasing patrols to the area.
"If you require assistance from an emergency service, please flag one of these down. We will look to update residents as and when we can.”
Emergency supplies stockpiled in Penrithpublished at 15:09
Guardian journalist Josh Halliday is in Penrith:
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End of twitter postTonnes of debis covers rail trackspublished at 15:02
Network Rail Engineers are trying to clear tonnes of flood debris from the West Coast Main Line north of Carlisle.
Earlier today they reopened the tracks from Preston to Carlisle to allow a limited service.
Image source, Network RailThe picture show debris on the Caldew Bridge north of the city.
Thick layers of mud and silt covered vital safety-critical equipment in eight separate cabinets which were submerged in water for more than 24 hours.
There has also been extensive damage to track and other equipment as well as to fencing and buildings. You can get the latest travel advice here.