Up to a month's worth of rain has fallen across northern England in recent days, and flood waters have hit cities and towns including Manchester, Rochdale and Leeds. Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss said that while the worst of the rainfall had passed, there was still potential for further flooding.
"In many areas, the impact of further heavy rain falling on already saturated ground is unprecedented, with record river levels across Lancashire and Yorkshire causing flooding in upwards of 3,500 properties and the evacuation of hundreds of homes," she said.
More than a hundred flood warnings remained in place on Sunday (27 December), including 24 severe warnings, which indicate a danger to life, the government said. There are more than 200 flood warnings across Britain as home and business owners prepare for serious flooding. The army has been deployed to some villages to bolster flood defences as rain continues to fall across the north
York
The River Ouse has flooded York after heavy rain. Homes and businesses in Yorkshire and Lancashire evacuated as water levels continue to rise in many parts. Members of Cleveland Mountain Rescue and soldiers from 2 Battalion The Duke of Lancasters Regiment assisted members of the public as they evacuated.
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Members of Cleveland Mountain Rescue and soldiers from 2 Battalion The Duke of Lancasters Regiment assist members of the public as they are evacuated from the Queens Hotel in York city centre as the River Ouse floods on December 27, 2015 in York, EnglandIan Forsyth/Getty Images
Members of Cleveland Mountain Rescue and soldiers from 2 Battalion The Duke of Lancasters Regiment assist members of the public as they are evacuated from the Queens Hotel in York city centre as the River Ouse floods on December 27, 2015 in York, EnglandIan Forsyth/Getty ImagesThe River Ouse flows through York as water levels increase on December 27, 2015 in York, EnglandIan Forsyth/Getty ImagesMembers of Cleveland Mountain Rescue and soldiers from 2 Battalion The Duke of Lancasters Regiment assist members of the public as they are evacuated from the Queens Hotel in York city centre as the River Ouse floods on December 27, 2015 in York, EnglandIan Forsyth/Getty ImagesThe River Ouse flows through York after heavy overnight flooding on December 27, 2015 in York, EnglandIan Forsyth/Getty ImagesA resident of Huntington Road in York hands out cups of rea and busuits to members of Mountain Rescue teams as they assist with the evacuation of residents following overnight flooding on December 27, 2015 in York, England.Ian Forsyth/Getty ImagesThe River Ouse in York floods riverside business premises after heavy rain caused severe flooding in the city on December 27, 2015 in York, EnglandIan Forsyth/Getty ImagesA man paddles his kayak along a flooded street on December 27, 2015 in York, EnglandIan Forsyth/Getty ImagesThe River Ouse in York floods riverside business premises after heavy rain caused severe flooding in the city on December 27, 2015 in York, EnglandIan Forsyth/Getty Images
Hebden Bridge in Calderdale, West Yorkshire
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An aerial view of the floodwaters after rivers burst their banks on December 26, 2015 in Hebden Bridge, EnglandChristopher Furlong/Getty Images
An aerial view of the floodwaters after rivers burst their banks on December 26, 2015 in Hebden Bridge, EnglandChristopher Furlong/Getty ImagesA canal boat collides with a rubbish bin as floodwaters rise after rivers burst their banks on December 26, 2015 in Hebden Bridge, EnglandChristopher Furlong/Getty ImagesFloodwaters surge around the William Holt store as rivers burst their banks on December 26, 2015 in Hebden Bridge, EnglandChristopher Furlong/Getty ImagesA man wades through floodwaters as rivers burst their banks on December 26, 2015 in Hebden Bridge, England.Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
Mytholmroyd in Calderdale, West Yorkshire
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The River Calder bursts its bank's in the Calder Valley town of Mytholmroyd on December 26, 2015 in Mytholmroyd, England.Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
The River Calder bursts its bank's in the Calder Valley town of Mytholmroyd on December 26, 2015 in Mytholmroyd, England.Christopher Furlong/Getty ImagesThe River Calder bursts its bank's in the Calder Valley town of Mytholmroyd on December 26, 2015 in Mytholmroyd, England.Christopher Furlong/Getty ImagesA Coastguard helicopter carries out a rescue operation as floodwaters rise after rivers burst their banks on December 26, 2015 in Mytholmroyd, EnglandChristopher Furlong/Getty ImagesRoad signs are half submerged after the River Calder burst its bank's in the Calder Valley town of Mytholmroyd on December 26, 2015 in Mytholmroyd, England.Christopher Furlong/Getty ImagesRescue workers patrol the waters after the River Calder bursts its bank's on December 26, 2015 in Mytholmroyd, England. Christopher Furlong/Getty ImagesFloodwater rises as the River Calder bursts its bank's in the Calder Valley town of Mytholmroyd on December 26, 2015 in Mytholmroyd, EnglandChristopher Furlong/Getty ImagesResidents battle against floodwater as the River Calder bursts its bank's in the Calder Valley town of Mytholmroyd on December 26, 2015 in Mytholmroyd, EnglandChristopher Furlong/Getty ImagesResidents battle against floodwater as the River Calder bursts its bank's in the Calder Valley town of Mytholmroyd on December 26, 2015 in Mytholmroyd, EnglandChristopher Furlong/Getty ImagesR 27: A man sits amongst his possesions after yesterday's floods on December 27, 2015 in Mythelmroyd, England.Nigel Roddis/Getty Images
Prime Minister David Cameron pledged more military help for the region as the army was deployed to move 300 to 400 people from their homes in York, where the River Ouse was expected to continue rising until Monday, the local council said.
Some 100 soldiers were also helping emergency services in the hardest hit areas of West Yorkshire, including Leeds, police said, after the region suffered its worst flooding in 70 years.
"We are dealing with an incredibly serious situation," Cameron told Sky News, after holding a conference call with ministers to discuss the emergency. "The level of the rivers plus the level of rainfall has created an unprecedented effect and so some very serious flooding. We've decided to deploy more military resources, more military personnel, to help."
