The Prince wanted to see the devastation for himself

Dozens of people attended a meeting held at the Sands Centre in the city on Monday night to give people a chance to ask questions and give their views.

Many left the meeting saying they felt their questions had not been answered.

Carlisle City Council and other organisations said they are doing their best to deal with the clean-up and put plans in place for similar events.

One woman said: "They are pulling these meetings together for us to ask questions but, like someone in the audience said, they should have the answers now.

"They have had a week, we have had a week of trauma, they have had a week to pull it together and alleviate some of that trauma, and no."

The floods saw boats used by rescue workers in Carlisle

Last week the Prince of Wales was in the city to see the devastation for himself.

Carlisle City Council acting chief executive Maggie Mooney said: "I don't think it's helpful to put up a big defence. Last week we were in an emergency situation so the emergency situation was about saving lives, it was about helping vulnerable people.

"We are now in the first week of the city council leading on the recovery stage and I think we need a sense of perspective."

She said staff across all agencies were doing a "terrific" job.

She said "We do accept that there is an awful lot of work to do and we are on to it."

Changing weather

It includes staff knocking on doors asking about homelessness and housing and collecting furniture.

The Environment Agency said a flood defence scheme for Carlisle was well advanced before and this was now being looked at again.

It is holding a series of drop in sessions this week and next week for people to go along and tell of their experience so it can build up a picture of the situation and give advice.

County Council leader Tim Stoddard said the problem had been caused by changing weather conditions and he urged the government to step in and provide better defences for the county.