'I can’t go through this again': Cumbrians come to terms with floods

Some residents have lost everything as flood defences bolstered after previous disasters fail to stop latest inundation

Two days after the river Derwent breached flood defences the residents of Derwentside Gardens in Cockermouth were finally allowed back into their homes on Monday.

The floodwaters had receded, leaving a dirty layer of mud and silt across lovingly laid oak floors, carpets and rugs. With no electricity or running water, few planned to stay long. The fire service would not let them drive their cars on to the estate so they salvaged what they could carry on foot: sentimental paintings, favourite vases, medication, Christmas presents they had managed to move from under the tree up on to kitchen work surfaces when the evacuation warning came on Saturday teatime.