Hundreds of stranded residents have been rescued from their homes, roads have been blocked and four bridges have collapsed.
Workington MP Tony Cunningham said the flood was "of biblical proportions" and seen "once every 1,000 years".
The Environment Agency has six severe flood warnings in place - all in Cumbria - 29 flood warnings, and 65 less serious flood watches. More rain is expected on higher fells in Cumbria and across areas of the UK later today.
Flooding has also been reported in north-west Wales, Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland and other parts of north-west England.
Click on the title to go to photos of the floods and more information