UK floods: Thousands without power in North West England as warnings issued of danger to life

Nearly 8,000 homes are without power in the north of England following unprecedented rainfall. Some areas are estimated to have received more than a normal month's rainfall in a single day on Boxing Day.

David Cameron is to chair an emergency Cobra meeting on the flooding crisis later on Sunday (27 December). Floods Minister Rory Stewart said rainfall in some areas reached levels "nobody's ever seen before" on 26 December. Environment Secretary Liz Truss, meanwhile, described the flooding as "unprecedented" and said flood defences must be reviewed.

Another day of heavy rain is expected on 27 December as Storm Eva continues to cause severe flooding. The current total for homes without power in the North West stands at 7,524, including 5,500 in Rochdale, after water penetrated flood defences at a local electricity substation. Electricity North West says some properties may be without power until Monday.

Many towns and villages across Cumbria and Lancashire are facing further flooding as they continue to attempt to clean-up from the floods which hit them two weeks ago. Meanwhile the Environment Agency has issued 27 red flood warnings - which signify "danger to life" - for localities throughout Lancashire and Yorkshire.

Residents in each county have been told to "take action" and protect their property, following downpours which began on Boxing Day. High streets have become rivers, flood sirens are shrieking and water rises over windowsills.

Towns in West Yorkshire including Ilkley and Todmorden have been cut off to most road traffic after roads were closed. Mytholmroyd in West Yorkshire was among the worst hit, with streets seeing up to two metres of water. A man in his 70s was fortunate to survive when his Land Rover was almost totally submerged.

Areas of Leeds city centre were threatened by flooding overnight as the River Aire rose beyond its previous record high-water mark. Overnight police have been going door-to-door in Salford, Greater Manchester, warning residents to evacuate with whatever they can carry. And, according to BBC reporting, flooding in York is becoming more severe as water levels continue to rise.

A total 170 flood warnings - warning of expected flooding - are in place for regions across north England and Wales. A further 137 less severe "flood alerts" have been made. Volunteers from the British Red Cross are running rest centres in Salford and Bury, while more than 50 local residents, mostly elderly, stayed overnight in the Bury shelter.

Over in North Wales, the Red Cross is using 4x4 vehicles to ferry doctors and nurses to Bangor Hospital following inundation of the A55 and surrounding roads. In Scotland, there are 14 flood warnings and eight lesser flood alerts. Police have warned motorists not to drive unless it is "absolutely necessary".

The Met Office has stated: "Very severe weather conditions are expected. Take action to remain safe and protect property. Widespread flooding will lead to severe disruption to travel and danger to life." In Cumbria many residents are cleaning up after Storm Desmond damaged hundreds of homes and businesses earlier this month. Bookmakers say the odds on December being the wettest month in the UK since records began have now been reduced to evens.