Regions devastated by Storm Ciara will get emergency funding to tackle the damage and protect the public.
Under the scheme, councils can apply to the government to have 100% of the cost of dealing with the effects of the storm reimbursed.
Staff overtime, temporary accommodation and rest centres are among the eligible expenses.
Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick today activated the 'Bellwin' emergency scheme, drawn up in 2017, for areas in West Yorkshire, Cumbria and Lancashire.
Mr Jenrick said: “Storm Ciara has had damaging effects on communities in the north of England, and I want to praise the efforts of the emergency services and key agencies who have responded to the disruption.
“We’re working closely with local areas to support them in their recovery.
"I’ve activated the emergency Bellwin scheme to provide financial support to qualifying affected areas.”
Weather warnings for wind, snow and ice have been issued across large parts of the country as the UK struggles to recover from the battering from Storm Ciara.
The Met Office also said that "a spell of very strong winds," with gusts of 60-70mph, is expected across southern England on Monday, bringing likely delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport.
A yellow warning for heavy snow and strong winds is in place for Northern Ireland and most of Scotland and a yellow warning of snow and ice is in force for north west England throughout Monday and Tuesday.
A yellow warning for wind in the south is in place between 10am and 5pm on Monday.
Forecasters said some areas could see blizzards and a build-up of up to 20cm of snow.
There were also 107 flood warnings and 252 flood alerts in place across the country as of 11am.
