Two communities have heard how action will be taken to address the impact of flooding, following the publication of two investigative reports.

Last night, residents in Eamont Bridge, Penrith, were given details of the specific causes and outcomes of Storm Desmond’s effects in the area. A Flood Fair held by Cumbria County Council included consultation around its draft report into the events of December 5 and 6, 2015.

The flow in the River Eamont in the village on December 6 was the highest ever recorded, with the resulting deluge hitting 101 homes. While residents affected by flooding in 2009 had won funding for property-level protection, last year’s river levels breached these defences.

The draft report shared last night recommends 16 actions for the improved management of future flood risks at Eamont Bridge. These include the need to improve water flow under the area’s bridges and the removal of Low Mill Weir, which obstructs flow and causes higher river levels.

Gary Strong, Cumbria County Councillor for Penrith Rural, said the event gave residents the chance to have their say on what happened.

He said: “Some of these people have been flooded three times in 10 years, and they’re very concerned. They don’t want it to happen again.

“One of the things promised to this community was that, when things got sorted, we would have some public meetings where they could come and air their grievances and get some answers because, naturally, some of these people were very angry.”

A similar dedicated report, shared with the Warwick Bridge community on Monday, details how 42 properties there were flooded from several sources. It calls for a review around the need for investment in the village.

The report said: “One of the main actions is to review the case for flood defences in Warwick Bridge. This review will also incorporate ‘quick wins’ to address some of the specific issues in the village and will aim to provide a ‘joined-up’ approach to flood risk management improvements in the Eden catchment as a whole.”

Cumbria County Councillor William Graham represents Corby and Hayton. While agreeing Warwick Bridge needs more investment in formal defences, he called for the creation of flood catchment areas for the river to release into during heavy rainfall. Cllr Graham also believes dredging would help prevent water build-up.

December 2015 was the wettest calendar month on record. Between December 4 and 7, new 24- and 48-hour rainfall records were set for the UK, both within Cumbria.