Storm Desmond: army aids rescue effort as communities struggle after floods

At least 60,000 homes are without power, villages and towns are cut off and clean water could run out after storm affects treatment works and water mains

The army has been deployed to help flood-hit communities in the north of England after Storm Desmond left at least 60,000 homes without power and many lacking clean water, as whole communities were cut off.

The storm turned high streets into waterways, with fire services in Lancashire and Cumbria forced to swap their fire engines for rescue boats. Hospitals in Lancaster and Carlisle were running on generator power after electricity substations were flooded, with army trucks used as ambulances in Lancaster to ferry patients to A&E.