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High tides and winds threaten more flooding High tides and winds threaten more flooding
(35 minutes later)
High tides and gale force winds could bring more flooding to parts of south-west England and the Midlands, the Environment Agency has warned. High tides and gale force winds could bring more flooding to parts of the Midlands and south-west England, the Environment Agency has warned.
It has four severe flood warnings - meaning a danger to life - three on the Severn estuary near Gloucester and one on the north Cornwall coast. It has three severe flood warnings - meaning a danger to life - on the Severn estuary near Gloucester.
Lesser warnings affect many parts of Britain including western Wales and the flood-hit Somerset Levels. Lesser warnings affect many parts of Britain including western Wales and areas of south-west England, including the flood-hit Somerset Levels.
About 150 properties in the Midlands, South West and South East have flooded.About 150 properties in the Midlands, South West and South East have flooded.
Following the 17th meeting of the government's emergency committee, Cobra, Environment Secretary Owen Paterson said: "Everything possible is being done over the weekend to help those affected by flooding and to prepare for the further bad weather and high tides forecast overnight and into next week." Following a meeting of the government's emergency committee, Cobra, Environment Secretary Owen Paterson said: "Everything possible is being done over the weekend to help those affected by flooding and to prepare for the further bad weather and high tides forecast overnight and into next week."
BBC Weather's Laura Gilchrist said gales peaked in the South West of England in mid-afternoon, where there were gusts of up to 70mph (112km/h). BBC Weather's Laura Gilchrist said gales peaked in the south-west of England in mid-afternoon, where there were gusts of up to 70mph (112km/h).
The gales are easing down but working their way to the north of the country, she said, where gusts could reach up to 60mph (96km/h).The gales are easing down but working their way to the north of the country, she said, where gusts could reach up to 60mph (96km/h).
Sunday should offer "somewhat of a respite" with a much drier day across the country, she added.Sunday should offer "somewhat of a respite" with a much drier day across the country, she added.
The severe weather warnings issued by the Environment Agency are two to four hours either side of high tide this evening. There are a further 150 flood warnings and nearly 300 flood alerts across the rest of England and Wales and four flood warnings and 14 flood alerts in Scotland.
There are a further 150 flood warnings and nearly 200 flood alerts across the rest of England and Wales and four flood warnings and 14 flood alerts in Scotland.
Kate Marks, the Environment Agency's flood risk manager, said: "A low pressure system combining with high tides brings a risk of coastal flooding to many parts of England.Kate Marks, the Environment Agency's flood risk manager, said: "A low pressure system combining with high tides brings a risk of coastal flooding to many parts of England.
"The risk is highest for south-west England, although many coastal areas will be affected and the public should stay away from coastlines and tidal areas and not drive through flood-water."The risk is highest for south-west England, although many coastal areas will be affected and the public should stay away from coastlines and tidal areas and not drive through flood-water.
"At the same time the risk of river flooding continues for the southern counties as with the ground already saturated, rivers are very responsive to rainfall. Groundwater levels also remain high in southern counties.""At the same time the risk of river flooding continues for the southern counties as with the ground already saturated, rivers are very responsive to rainfall. Groundwater levels also remain high in southern counties."
The Environment Agency (EA) said gales and waves could combine to cause possible overtopping of flood defences and sea walls, property flooding and travel disruption.The Environment Agency (EA) said gales and waves could combine to cause possible overtopping of flood defences and sea walls, property flooding and travel disruption.
Around the country on Saturday:Around the country on Saturday:
While the government and the Environment Agency have been criticised by MPs and local councils in Somerset, the agency said it was now running pumps 24 hours a day to drain the huge amounts of water that have made it a miserable start to the year for people living on the Somerset Levels.While the government and the Environment Agency have been criticised by MPs and local councils in Somerset, the agency said it was now running pumps 24 hours a day to drain the huge amounts of water that have made it a miserable start to the year for people living on the Somerset Levels.
Personnel from all three branches of the armed forces are currently on stand-by to help villages cut off by the floods.Personnel from all three branches of the armed forces are currently on stand-by to help villages cut off by the floods.
But the EA has said dredging of rivers in Somerset would not begin until flood-water had drained and river banks were safe.But the EA has said dredging of rivers in Somerset would not begin until flood-water had drained and river banks were safe.
Supt Ian Wylie of Avon and Somerset Police said: "Thankfully the high tides passed this morning without any significant flooding on the Somerset Levels, and the water levels remain pretty constant.
"We are concerned about the high tides this evening, but we are expecting them to be no higher than this morning, which is, I think, a great relief to those living on the levels."
The latest warnings come after the wettest January on record for parts of southern England.The latest warnings come after the wettest January on record for parts of southern England.
Up to and including 28 January, the South East and central southern England had a record 175.2mm (6.9in) of rainfall in January - beating the previous record of 158.2mm for the same parts of England set in 1988.Up to and including 28 January, the South East and central southern England had a record 175.2mm (6.9in) of rainfall in January - beating the previous record of 158.2mm for the same parts of England set in 1988.
Are you in the South West or coastal areas? Have you been affected by flooding? You can share your experiences and pictures with us by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject heading High Tide. When sending us pictures, video or eyewitness accounts at no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.Are you in the South West or coastal areas? Have you been affected by flooding? You can share your experiences and pictures with us by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject heading High Tide. When sending us pictures, video or eyewitness accounts at no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
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