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Severe flood warnings issued for northern England Severe flood warnings issued for Lancashire
(35 minutes later)
Five severe flood warnings, meaning there is a danger to life, have been issued for northern England. Seven severe flood warnings, meaning there is a danger to life, have been issued for northern England.
The Environment Agency said flooding was expected in areas around the River Ribble and River Calder, Lancashire, and that residents should "take action now" to keep themselves safe. The Environment Agency said flooding was expected in areas around the River Ribble, River Calder and River Wyre, Lancashire, and that residents should "take action now".
More than 200 flood warnings and alerts are in place in England and Wales.More than 200 flood warnings and alerts are in place in England and Wales.
It comes after the area was saturated with heavy rain, which is forecast by the Met Office to continue on Saturday.It comes after the area was saturated with heavy rain, which is forecast by the Met Office to continue on Saturday.
The severe warnings, the Environment Agency's highest level of warning, are for two locations on the River Ribble at Ribchester and three on the River Calder at Whalley. The severe warnings, the Environment Agency's highest level of warning, are for two locations on the River Ribble at Ribchester, three on the River Calder at Whalley as well as for the River Wyre at St Michael's North and St Michael's South.
The Environment Agency said up to 45mm (1.7in) had fallen over the higher ground in Lancashire, with a further 70mm (2.7in) forecast to fall in the "wider area" and up to 100mm (3.9in) over higher ground.The Environment Agency said up to 45mm (1.7in) had fallen over the higher ground in Lancashire, with a further 70mm (2.7in) forecast to fall in the "wider area" and up to 100mm (3.9in) over higher ground.
The average rainfall for the whole of December in the North West is 145mm (5.7ins).The average rainfall for the whole of December in the North West is 145mm (5.7ins).
The Met Office has issued an amber warning for rain - meaning "be prepared" - for Cumbria and a large part of Lancashire on Saturday. There is also a yellow "be prepared" warning in place for parts of north Wales, northern England and central and eastern Scotland.The Met Office has issued an amber warning for rain - meaning "be prepared" - for Cumbria and a large part of Lancashire on Saturday. There is also a yellow "be prepared" warning in place for parts of north Wales, northern England and central and eastern Scotland.
'Take evacuation advice''Take evacuation advice'
The onset of flooding is expected between 09:00 and 12:00 GMT in the areas where the five severe flood warnings have been issued.The onset of flooding is expected between 09:00 and 12:00 GMT in the areas where the five severe flood warnings have been issued.
"The ground is saturated and rivers have already risen throughout the night," an Environment Agency spokesman said."The ground is saturated and rivers have already risen throughout the night," an Environment Agency spokesman said.
"With this recent forecast we are concerned about areas that have already been affected over recent weeks and ask people to be prepared, move valuables and take advice from emergency services about evacuation.""With this recent forecast we are concerned about areas that have already been affected over recent weeks and ask people to be prepared, move valuables and take advice from emergency services about evacuation."
More than 110 flood alerts - signifying flooding is possible - have also been issued. More than 110 flood warnings, meaning flooding is expected, and more than 110 flood alerts, meaning flooding is possible, have also been issued.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has issued 11 flood warnings, in the Scottish borders and Tayside areas, and five flood alerts.The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has issued 11 flood warnings, in the Scottish borders and Tayside areas, and five flood alerts.
Ben Lukey of the Environment Agency said those in the affected areas needed to act.
He told BBC Breakfast: "We have been warning people to take action now to make sure that they keep themselves safe, to check out for vulnerable friends and relatives, to move valuable papers and other belongings to a safe place out of the way of water.
"During the day today, we're expecting Lancashire Council to pull together an emergency response centre and the emergency services will be advising people if they need to move out of harm's way."
On Christmas Day the Army was called in to support efforts to protect parts of Cumbria against further flooding and the government's emergency Cobra committee met to discuss the situation.On Christmas Day the Army was called in to support efforts to protect parts of Cumbria against further flooding and the government's emergency Cobra committee met to discuss the situation.
People can access information from council websites and the Environment Agency Floodline.People can access information from council websites and the Environment Agency Floodline.
The agency is also operating a phone line - 0345 988 1188 - which will be staffed rather than offering recorded information.The agency is also operating a phone line - 0345 988 1188 - which will be staffed rather than offering recorded information.
Thousands of properties were affected when Storm Desmond brought a record amount of rainfall to Cumbria during the weekend of 5-6 December.Thousands of properties were affected when Storm Desmond brought a record amount of rainfall to Cumbria during the weekend of 5-6 December.
Four days later, further rain led to more flooding, and some parts of the county were inundated for a third time in a month on Tuesday after another deluge.Four days later, further rain led to more flooding, and some parts of the county were inundated for a third time in a month on Tuesday after another deluge.
About 40 bridges and roads remain damaged or closed in the area.About 40 bridges and roads remain damaged or closed in the area.
The Environment Agency said 85% of the country's temporary flood barriers had been sent to Cumbria.The Environment Agency said 85% of the country's temporary flood barriers had been sent to Cumbria.
Live flood warnings from the Environment Agency and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.Live flood warnings from the Environment Agency and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.