The prime minister is expected to visit flood-hit areas of northern England later, as swamped communities continue to battle against rising waters, the BBC reports.
UK floods: David Cameron to visit swamped communities
STEPANAKERT, DECEMBER 28, ARTSAKHPRESS:Nearly 30 severe flood warnings - meaning there is a danger to life - remain in place in England and Wales.
Soldiers have joined the effort against "unprecedented" flooding in Yorkshire, Lancashire and Greater Manchester.
In York, where hundreds of properties have been at risk, the River Ouse is expected to reach its peak level later.
On Sunday, the government said 200 soldiers were being deployed to affected areas on top of 300 already on the ground.
A further 1,000 personnel are being held in reserve in case the situation gets worse.
During his visits, Prime Minister David Cameron is likely to face questions about government funding of flood defences after Environment Secretary Liz Truss said some had been "overwhelmed".
Mr Cameron said the "level of the rivers plus the level of rainfall has created an unprecedented effect, and so some very serious flooding".
Many places have seen record river levels over the past 24 hours, including the River Aire in Leeds, and the rivers Calder and Ribble, affecting places such as Whalley, Hebden Bridge and Ribchester.
In York, the River Ouse is expected to peak around lunchtime, close to its highest recorded level of 5.4m above normal summer levels.
City of York Council said about 500 properties were directly affected by flooding and a second rest centre was being opened for evacuated residents.
As well as soldiers and emergency services, about 200 unpaid mountain rescue volunteers from Wales, Cornwall and the Lake District have been helping in the city.
Flooding has affected phone lines in York, including the non-emergency police number 101. People are advised to call 01609 768 182 instead.
North Yorkshire police said it had received 278 emergency 999 calls on 26 December when it would normally be 190, and 388 on 27 December.
Leeds was also badly affected with 1,000 homes flooded.
Electricity North West said it had now reconnected 23,000 homes since Saturday, with Rochdale the worst-hit area, but it was still working on supplies to 3,000 properties in its area.
Police said the flood operation in Greater Manchester, where Radcliffe and Bury were also badly hit, had now turned into a "recovery" phase, as water levels began to drop.
Downing Street said emergency financial assistance would be available to homes and businesses in Yorkshire and Lancashire.
They will have access to the support package announced earlier in the monthfor people affected by Storm Desmond in Cumbria.
Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said flood-damaged infrastructure - including the A591 through the heart of the Lake District - would be repaired using £40m in emergency government funding.
Leeds Central MP Hilary Benn, who described the flooding as the worst he had seen in the centre of the city, called for increased investment, saying climate change was bringing wetter winters.
While Monday is expected to be drier than recent days, the Met Office has issued yellow (be aware) warnings for rain on Wednesday in areas of northern England and Wales, bringing the threat of further flooding.
