Storm Desmond wreaks havoc
LANCASHIRE and Cumbria are counting the cost of the damage caused by Storm Desmond, which tore through the region at the weekend.
Thousands of businesses were still without power today after the deluge as rainfall and high winds also caused flooding and destroyed power cables.
Warrington-based power network operator Electricity North West said 45,000 homes in Lancaster, Morecambe and the surrounding area had supplies reconnected overnight, but another 10,000 are still cut off in Lancashire and more than 2,600 in Cumbria.
More than 30 schools are closed in Cumbria, and Lancaster University has cancelled teaching for the rest of term after losing power across much of the campus.
The flooding in Lancashire is also impacting business too. AIM-listed Walker Greenbank, the luxury interior furnishings group whose brands include Sanderson, Morris & Co., Harlequin, Zoffany, Scion and Anthology, told the stock market hat the factory of Standfast & Barracks, its fabric printing business in Lancaster, has suffered “substantial flooding during the weekend’s heavy rain”.
It said: “The company is carrying out an urgent assessment of the effects of the flooding and expects a period of disrupted production at the factory along with an adverse impact on machinery, stock and profits.
“The company has a comprehensive insurance policy, which covers flood damage and business interruption, and a claim has already been logged.
Cumbria was been severely by the storm. Police there said 4,000 to 5,000 homes have been flooded in the county. Hundreds of people have been rescued. The town of Appleby, near Penrith was been left under several feet of water after the River Eden burst its banks.
Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss said Cumbria rain gauge figures showed a “record amount” had fallen in the 24 hours between Friday and Saturday evenings. It measured 341mm in Honister, which is more than a month’s worth of rainfall in just one day.
Truss said: “Our thoughts are with those communities affected by this devastating flooding. We are expecting upwards of 2,000 homes and businesses will have been flooded. Some areas are experiencing power cuts while other are difficult to reach because of severe disruption to travel.
“Flood defences performed as they were designed to but because of the exceptional levels of rainfall we have seen water overtopping some flood defences. These defences have still provided vital time for the emergency services to evacuate homes and preparations to be made.”
Damian Waters, CBI North West Director, said the flooding was “devastating” for families and businesses alike.
“Local communities, businesses and emergency services are showing great resilience and we need to see the Environment Agency working with infrastructure providers as they fight to restore power and utilities.
“With the potential cost of these floods running into hundreds of millions of pounds, it is critical that businesses receive clear advice on support available. These floods underline once again why we must continue to invest in our flood defences and review existing preparations for potential events like this in the future. The Government must continue to drive forward the delivery of the 1,400 flood alleviation projects already pledged.”
