A marquee belonging to Barrow Raiders was strewn over Hindpool Road retail park, which 'looked like a bombsite', blocking access and requiring a police and fire response.

Club chairman Steve Neale said: "I've never seen anything like it.

"There will be a lot of damage all over Cumbria on a day like today.

"But there's nothing you can do about it; it's just an act of God."

On Walney and in other coastal areas, onlookers travelled in their cars to watch the waves crash into the rocks.

The choppy seas were throwing spray far enough that cars needed to use their windscreen wipers despite no rain.

Those brave enough on the island's West Shore Road left their cars to take a video - but not without getting drenched.

And the weather caused carnage on the South Cumbrian road network.

Police advised against using the Coast Road due to standing water which had washed over the road.

The A590 was closed after a crash between Lindal and Swarthmoor while multiple collisions on the M6 made travel only advisable when necessary.

Rail operator TransPennine Express advised against all travel.

Bricks were ripped from a newly-purchased Barrow house, while hundreds of people were plunged into darkness in Coniston and Grange.

It remains to be seen exactly how much damage has been done. Storm Desmond back in 2015 led to an estimated £120m repair bill.

Across the county businesses closed their doors. Dalton's South Lakes Safari Zoo did not accept any customers for the safety of their animals and patrons alike.

Forestry England advised the public not to visit their sites, including Grizedale.

Elsewhere in the country, people were taken to hospital after serious accidents in Bradford, Henley and London, while more than 430 flights due to take off or land at UK airports were cancelled on Friday.