North of England flooding

British astronaut Tim Peake has expressed his concern from the International Space Station for those affected by floods in his home country.

The former Army pilot took this picture of the UK as he passed overhead, posting it on his Twitter account.  

In his tweet, Tim says: "Passed over UK today - thoughts are with all those affected by flooding in northern England."

NASACopyright: NASA

As the clean-up operation across the north of England continues tonight following the floods which have hit areas in Cumbria, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, West and North Yorkshire, here's a picture which sums up the effort going into getting things back to normal.

It shows soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, grabbing a brief rest from helping with flood relief in York today. Take a look at more pictures from the day here. 

Ministry of DefenceCopyright: Ministry of Defence

Over the course of the day, river levels here in York have fallen. Clear tide marks can now be seen around the city.

BBCCopyright: BBC

But by no means is the emergency operation over, with crews still working here this evening and long into the night.

York's functioning, but only just. Floodwater's been causing disruption to business, with cash machines not working, card payments can't be processed and real chaos caused to the communications network in the city.

An emergency fund made available by Sport England last month to help restore flooded pitches, clubhouses and other facilities in the wake of Storm Desmond has been doubled to £400,000 to reflect the latest flooding across the north of England.

The National Lottery cash will now be available for clubs, charities and councils in all areas affected by Storm Eva.

Jennie Price, Sport England chief executive, says: “When major incidents like this happen, the priority must be making sure people are safe, and vital public services are back up and running.

"But we know from the floods in 2014 that people want to get their lives back to normal as quickly as possible, and this includes the sports facilities they use every week."

Thanks to Kiel Murphy for sending in these pictures of flooding near Castleford and Allerton Bywater in West Yorkshire earlier today.

Kiel says it's "quite shocking" to see scenes like this, with parts of the area "under a good 4ft of water" from the River Aire.

Kiel MurphyCopyright: Kiel Murphy

Kiel MurphyCopyright: Kiel Murphy

With the flooding clean-up well under way across northern England, but with yellow "be aware" warnings for rain on Wednesday already in place, here's a look back at events so far:

5 December: Storm Desmond brings more than a month's rain to parts of Cumbria, leading to flooding in Carlisle and other areas

12 December: River levels remain high and more than 70 flood warnings are issued amid more heavy rain

22 December: Communities in Cumbria flood again - some for the third time in less than a month

25 December: More than 100 flood alerts and warnings are issued across England and Wales as torrential rain hits

26 December: Residents in West Yorkshire and Lancashire are evacuated from their homes and flooding hits Leeds, Greater Manchester and York

27 December: Police in York advise hundreds of people to evacuate their homes as severe flood warnings remain in place in northern England

There's been some good news for one worried bride in North Yorkshire who feared her wedding day was in jeopardy of being a wash-out due to the floods.

BBCCopyright: BBC

Lucy and Peter Nickson were due to get married today at Selby Abbey, just 100m from the River Ouse which it was feared would flood. 

But it didn't - and the couple have managed to tie the knot, with guests managing to find their way to the church despite a number of roads being closed nearby.

It may not come as a surprise to people in areas affected by flooding in the north of England over the past few days, but this December's turned out to be a record-breaker.

Six severe flood warnings, meaning there is a potential danger to life, remain in force across Yorkshire and north-east England, the Environment Agency says.

A total of 46 flood warnings, meaning immediate action is required, and 25 "be prepared" flood alerts are also still in place, according to the agency.

The effect of flooding on York city centre is "abysmal" and is "like stepping back 100 years", a local resident has told Prime Minister David Cameron as he toured the flood-hit city earlier.

AFP/Getty ImagesCopyright: AFP/Getty Images

Chris Wardle, whose first-floor flat on Skeldergate is currently surrounded by water, said he thanked Mr Cameron for his efforts with relief and told him everyone was doing a "sterling job".

However, when the PM asked Mr Wardle when flooding last happened he told him it was only back in 2012.

"Someone, from Prime Minister to the council, really needs to sort out flood defences in the city centre," he added.

This was the scene a short time ago at Eggborough Power Station in North Yorkshire.

This aerial shot shows the River Aire has swamped miles of fields in the area.

BBCCopyright: BBC

Officers from the RSPCA have also been in York to help animals caught in the floods.

The five-strong crew waded through waist-high water with an inflatable boat to save a black cat called Pawsy from a home in Walmgate and a further two cats called Fluffy and Squeakers from a house in Huntington Road.

RSPCACopyright: RSPCA

RSPCA deputy chief inspector Ben Strangwood said: “Both of the families had been evacuated from their homes because of rising water and had reluctantly left their cats in the houses with food and drinking water.

“In a strange twist of fate Pawsy was actually adopted from the RSPCA so he’s been rescued by us twice now."

The Open Source Arts Centre only opened in Kirkstall Road, Leeds, on 21 December. A few days later it was under a foot of water.

Not only are staff there now cleaning up their building, but they're co-ordinating volunteers, allocating them local businesses to go and help in the aftermath of the Leeds flood.

About 700 people signed up in 24 hours to help out, and Phil Marken from the project has explained to me how they're getting on.

The Prime Minister's pledge of £280m for flood defences in Yorkshire is "wholly inadequate", the leader of the Green Party has said.

PACopyright: PA

David Cameron made the promise while visiting York to see recovery efforts following severe flooding across the north of England over the past few days.

But Natalie Bennett says: "We urgently need to not just consider flood defences, but land use across catchments, plus the protection of urban areas through sustainable drainage and similar management schemes, while ending the construction of new housing estates in vulnerable areas."

Thanks to Neville Allan for sending us this photo of flooding in the Aire Valley, looking over Cononley towards Keighley, which really shows how badly the area's been hit.

Neville AllanCopyright: Neville Allan

Electricity North West says about 850 properties remain without power in Greater Manchester and Lancashire.

The company said about 300 customers had been reconnected today and all but the Market Rochdale and Pioneers substations had had power restored.

A spokesman said the company was now carrying out safety checks on the remaining properties in Radcliffe and Croston to allow them to be reconnected.

With the clean-up well under way in the Bradford district, Bradford Council says it's asked for the Army to step in to help.

The following roads remain closed in Cumbria due to surface water flooding according to the county's police:

• A6070 at Holme Park Quarry• C1015 Rickarby Park Road• Rickerby Park from Brampton Road, Carlisle, to Linstock• Newby East to Little Corby road

Supt Mark Pannone, of Cumbria Constabulary, said: “Whilst the county’s road network is returning to a form of normality there are still a number of closures that motorists need to be aware of. 

“I would advise those who have already been affected by the floods to ensure they keep up to date with the latest weather forecasts and Environment Agency advice.”