David Cameron deploys more troops to help flood victims

David Cameron has confirmed more troops are being deployed to the north of England where more than 7,000 homes remain without power following unprecedented rainfall. The Prime Minister has chaired an emergency meeting to discuss the response to the widespread flooding in York, Leeds and Lancashire. Mr Cameron said: “We’ve decided to deploy more military resources, more military personnel to help. We’ll also make sure that the help we gave to Cumbria will also be available to other parts of the country.”

We’ll do everything we can to help people in their hour of need.

David Cameron

A total of 7,524 homes were without power in the North West just after 8am, including 5,500 in Rochdale, after water breached flood defences at a substation. Electricity North West said some properties may be without power until Monday due to the severity of the flooding. Mr Cameron said the Government will continue to invest in flood defences but will look again at whether there is more that can be done after many flood barriers were overtopped. The Environment Agency has issued 24 red flood warnings - signifying a “danger to life” - for Lancashire and Yorkshire. Residents in both counties were told to “take action” and to protect property as the downpours began on Boxing Day. Many homes had to be evacuated as high streets became rivers, flood sirens blared and water levels rose beyond windowsills.

It is increasingly clear that so-called ‘unprecedented’ weather events are here to stay. The Government must drop its complacency over the need for climate change adaptation.

Kerry McCarthy, Labour’s Shadow Environment Secretary

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