Floods

Northern England hit by flooding caused by Storm Desmond

Luke Graham, special to CNBC.com
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A Carlisle resident wades through flood water
Jeff J Mitchell | Getty Images

Record-breaking rainfall caused by a winter storm officially named Storm Desmond has devastated towns and cities across the north of England.

Heavy rainfall hit the U.K. on Friday 4 December and continued over the weekend, causing rivers to break their banks and flood fields and streets.

Click ahead to see the havoc Desmond wreaked across the region.

By Luke Graham, special to CNBC.com

The fields around Keswick remain flooded after torrential rain from Storm Desmond
Christopher Furlong | Getty Images

The economic cost of the flood could be as high as £500 million ($750 million), according to one insurance expert.

"Our current estimate of the damage caused by Storm Desmond is £400 million - £500 million with the insurance industry paying out between £250 million and £325 million," said Mohammad Khan, general insurance leader at PwC UK, in a statement.

The remains of a bridge in north west England destroyed by flooding
Paul Ellis | AFP | Getty Images

The flooding has caused significant damage to local infrastructure. An 18th century bridge which crossed the River Eamont in the north west of England was destroyed by the flooding.

Rescue teams evacuate people from their homes in Carlisle after Storm Desmond caused flooding
Jeff J Mitchell | Getty Images

Thousands of homes in the counties of Cumbria and Lancashire have been left cut off from power.

Emergency services were sent to evacuate residents from the city of Carlisle, in Cumbria, where the flooding was particularly severe.

More than 340mm (13.4 inches) of rain fell on the city in 24 hours. The previous U.K. record was 316mm in 2009.

Members of the Army help with the rescue effort after Storm Desmond caused flooding in Carlisle, England
Jeff J Mitchell | Getty Images

British soldiers were also called out to Carlisle to help with the rescue effort.

British Prime Minister David Cameron (third from right) visits flood-affected Carlisle
Andrew Yates | WPA Pool | Getty Images

U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron (second from left) visited the affected areas at the weekend to observe the damage and inspect flood defenses.

Rescue teams evacuate people from flooding caused by Storm Desmond in Carlisle, England
Jeff J Mitchell | Getty Images

Rescue workers resorted to boats to help evacuate people from Carlisle. At least two people (one in Cumbria and the other in the Republic of Ireland) have died as a result of the extreme weather.

Two girls watch rescue workers checking properties as teams continue to evacuate people from their homes after Storm Desmond caused flooding in Carlisle, England
Jeff J Mitchell | Getty Images

Around 40 schools in Cumbria were closed on Monday as a result of the flooding, and will gradually reopen through the week.