Appleby has been devastated by water after the River Eden burst its bank as a result of Storm Ciara.

On Saturday night residents and volunteers worked through the night to put flood defences in place and hand out sandbags not suspecting the river would rise to almost Storm Desmond levels.

During the early hours of Sunday morning, residents moved cars and packed up belonging ready for the impact of the storm.

Throughout yesterday people watched in horror as the fast-flowing water ripped the town apart in places.

Roads were closed and damaged while people tried to stop the water breaching their defences.

Families used buckets to scoop water out while feeling helpless to the ferocity of the Eden.

Councillor Gareth Hayes worked tirelessly alongside volunteers and the emergency service trying to comfort residents.

At one point emergency services were called to rescue a person who had fallen about 20 feet down the embankment towards the river. As a result, they were taken to the hospital to be checked over.

Emergency services continued to rescue people and animals and crews from Lazonby Fire Station were called after the farmer had been cut off from dry land as a result of the rising water.

A spokesman for the station said: “The Lazonby appliance and a crew of five were mobilised to a farmer who had been cut off from dry land by rising water and was stranded.

“Three of the crew used foul weather personal protective equipment, life jackets and a wading pole to reach the man and guide him to safety and hand him over to NWAS.

“Penrith day crew and Penrith on call also attended and once the man was rescued they retrieved his dog.”

A mountain rescue team were called to action as water levels were rising.

The team in Keswick helped to evacuate the caravan park on Crow Park Road during the early hours of Sunday morning.

A spokesman for the team said: “Storm Ciara caused some very early morning chaos at the caravan park on Crow Park Road in Keswick.

“An evacuation of the site was commencing when the police requested support from Keswick MRT.

“The initial task was clearing a narrow lane with a stalled camper van that was causing a blockage.

“We were then directed to a flooded area in the park to help people and dogs trapped in vehicles.

“During this short time, it was noticeable how the depth and strength of the floodwaters were increasing.

“Everyone was helped to safer areas but unfortunately some vehicles had to be abandoned.”

Residents in the Eden Valley witnessed the rivers rise by more the four meters in less than 24 hours and will now have the mammoth task of cleaning up and trying to get back to normal after the impact Storm Ciara has had on the area.

Appleby Primary School will be closed from today, and is due to re-open tomorrow it’s as a result of the extreme weather conditions. Priority is the safety of all staff and pupils.