Members of Cleveland Mountain Rescue and soldiers from 2 Battalion The Duke of Lancasters Regiment assist members of the public as they are evacuated from the Queens Hotel in York city centre as the River Ouse floods on December 27, 2015 in York, England. Heavy rain over the Christmas period has caused severe flooding in parts of northern England, with homes and businesses in Yorkshire and Lancashire evacuated as water levels continue to rise in many parts.
This video is no longer available
00:10 - Source: ITN

Story highlights

NEW: Prime Minister David Cameron said more troops are being deployed

The government issues 24 severe flood warnings for Sunday

More than 8,000 people have lost electricity, and some power substations are flooded

CNN  — 

Swaths of northern England have disappeared under mammoth flooding, prompting evacuations and dozens of urgent warnings.

A month’s worth of rain fell in just one day over some areas, CNN affiliate ITN reported.

The swollen, raging currents of the River Irwell were so intense that they destroyed and washed away parts of a historic pub in Summerseat.

Britain issued 24 severe flood warnings Sunday, each one meaning there is a “danger to life.”

While hundreds of residents evacuated, some stayed behind and tried to clear floodwater from their homes with buckets – but to no avail.

British Prime Minister David Cameron chaired an emergency Cabinet meeting Sunday and said more troops will be deployed to assist with the flooding.

“I’ve just chaired a COBRA meeting on the unprecedented flooding. Huge thanks to the emergency services and military for doing so much,” Cameron tweeted.

“Also my sympathy for those affected at this time of year. More troops are being deployed as part of a plan to do whatever is needed.”

More than 8,000 people had lost electricity, the power company Electricity North West said late Saturday night. Even some substations were flooded.

“Flood defenses at a number of electricity substation were breached earlier today and engineers are working round the clock to restore power,” the company said.

The company said it is sending vans to Radcliffe, Padiham and Rochdale on Sunday to provide hot food to customers without power.