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British RoyalsKing Charles III

Prince Charles Announces £40,000 Grant to Help Flood Victims

Members of the Royal Family have shown their support for victims of Storm Desmond.

Desmond brought a record 16 inches of rainfall in only 48 hours accompanied by high winds leaving parts of northwest England, Northern Ireland, North Wales, and southern Scotland in ruins.

Prince Charles’s Countryside Fund has announced a £40,000 grant that will be used to support farmers, rural communities, and businesses who have been affected by the chaos.

Emergency services in Cumbria, the worst hit county, remained on high alert as they were expected to get another 5 inches yesterday.

Mohammad Khan, the general insurance leader at PwC UK said: “Our current estimate of the damage caused by Storm Desmond is £400 million to £500 million with the insurance industry paying out between £250 million and £325 million.

“This compares to an economic cost of £275 million and insurer costs of £175 million in the 2009 floods.”

A rescue underway during Storm Desmond

A rescue underway during Storm Desmond

Julie McCord of St Michael’s in Wyre, Lancashire said she broke down when she saw her Christmas tree in the floodwater. Her husband, Andrew said she was left “numb” by the devastation.

Gareth Weber, a Carlisle community centre manager sent a plea out on Facebook for donations of food. He was shocked by all the extra donations sent in such as clothing, bedding, and toys given by children.

“Community spirit has been fantastic.” Weber said.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth also sent a message of support through the official Twitter account. The message read:

“Please convey my sympathy to all those whose homes or livelihoods have been affected by the recent flooding. My thanks go to members of the emergency services, local authorities, military personnel, and volunteers who are providing assistance in these difficult conditions.”

It was signed “Elizabeth R.”

In October, the government was warned that action was needed on the growing number of homes at high risk of flooding by its official climate change advisers, but the advice was rejected.

Photo Credit: Steve via Flickr