Thousands of homes were without power and trains were suspended after heavy rain battered parts of Derbyshire and east Staffordshire.
Serious flooding also affected some roads and farmland and drivers reported hazardous conditions.
Derbyshire Police and fire crews said they had received more than 250 calls from people affected by flooding.
Trains were suspended on routes north of Derby, with passengers being advised not to travel.
Flood warning
On Monday night, Derbyshire County Council urged people not to go out on the roads unless their journey was absolutely necessary.
Flooding was reported in Crich, Matlock and Belper, as well as in the Chesterfield area.
A helicopter was on its way to reports of a man stuck up a tree in Staveley were there was severe flooding. Fire crews said high water was making it difficult to get there.
The River Erewash burst its banks in Pinxton and homes and villages there were badly affected after the drains backed up during the downpours.
David Ewart from Virgin Trains said they were doing their best to get things moving.
"There's been some very serious flooding in the Clay Cross area," he added.
He advised passengers to check travel times before leaving for their journey.
An hourly Virgin Train service was operating between Birmingham and Derby and between Edinburgh and York, he added.
Central Trains was operating as normal between Birmingham and Derby, but had to cancel trains on its Nottingham to Sheffield and Derby to Matlock routes.
A severe flood warning was issued for the River Erewash including Jacksdale, Pye Bridge, Langley Mill, Eastwood and Ilkeston.
Jonathan Smith, from Central Networks, said they were trying to restore power to the 2,500 homes currently without electricity in Somercotes.
"Clearly at times like these, you have to be as careful as you can," he said.
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