Britain turns into Waterworld: Hundreds more residents are evacuated from their homes as the Army are deployed and 26 danger to life warnings are put in place - and there's more rain on the way

Hundreds of people evacuated from their homes in York by the Army overnight as flooding continues to hit the north
It comes after more than 2,000 homes were affected by floodwater yesterday as up to six inches of rain lashed UK
Towns and cities - including Leeds and Rochdale - flooded with up to six feet of water when rivers burst their banks
A 200-year-old former pub was totally destroyed by the pressure of the water at Summerseat in Great Manchester
Forecasters warn more rain will move across north today with 'danger to life' flood warnings still in place for region
Hundreds more people have been evacuated from their homes by the Army overnight as 'unprecedented' levels of flooding continue to hit the already blighted north of England.

More than 400 people were rescued from their flood-hit homes in York and Leeds city centres through the night as rising waters engulfed urban properties and left vehicles stranded in the middle of roads.

The Met Office said up to 30mm of rain fell widely across northern England, particularly in the already-saturated regions of Cumbria and Lancashire, with a total of 43mm of rain recorded within the last 24 hours at Dunsop Bridge, Lancashire.

The Environment Agency has 26 'danger to life' flood warnings in place today, with residents in the north advised to evacuate their homes if necessary.

Forecasters are now warning of a further band of rain, which will move from the south towards the north later today, before 80mph winds hit tomorrow.

Prime Minister David Cameron has announced he will chair an emergency Cobra meeting today as Environment Secretary Liz Truss described the flooding as 'unprecedented' and said flood defences need to be reviewed.

The widespread flooding is just the latest to devastate the flood-hit north of England, with many communities across Cumbria and Lancashire facing further misery as they continue to clean-up from the deluge which hit just a fortnight ago.

Rescue operation: A boat full of residents were rescued from their homes in York city centre by members of Cleveland Mountain Rescue and soldiers from the 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancasters Regiment today as rising waters engulfed homes and cars in the north

Helped to safety: One lady was rescued from a York hotel by the Cleveland mountain rescue team today before being helped onto dry land

Members of Cleveland Mountain Rescue and soldiers from 2 Battalion The Duke of Lancasters Regiment assist members of the public as they are evacuated from the Queens Hotel in York city centre

The day after Boxing Day: Emergency Services rescue residents from their flooded homes in York this morning with many parts of northern England suffering from heavy flooding over the Christmas period. Pictured: A woman is helped out of her home with her possessions

Saved from flooding: A young woman, wearing a onesie, cradles her small dog as she is rescued by boat from her flooded home in York

The only way: A mountain rescue worker carries a woman over his shoulder as a team rescues residents from waist-high flooding in York

Rescues of all ages: Children, adults and pets were all rescued from their flooded homes in York this morning

Emergency Services rescue residents from their flooded homes in York this morning

Onto dry land: The mountain rescue team were helping residents from flooded properties and onto dry land in York early this morning

Rescue: Emergency Services worked through the night to rescue residents, including pets and children, from their flooded homes in
York.

Flooded homes: Soldiers checked on residents and their properties in York earlier this morning after the River Foss bursts its banks.

Searching: A soldier wades through the knee-high floodwater in York city centre as workers attempt to rescue those stranded by the water.

Battling the floodwater: A man walks alongside a row of houses in a residential area of York after the River Foss burst its banks overnight

Unbelievable: A car was almost completely submerged by floodwater outside a Spar garage in Leeds, West Yorkshire, early this morning

Stranded: Cars were abandoned across West Yorkshire, including in Leeds (pictured), after heavy rain and flooding hit overnight

The man, who was taken to an emergency rest centre at Archbishop Holgate's School, said: 'It's not been a very nice night. I've had about 40 minutes sleep. Not a great way to spend Christmas.'