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UK floods: 'Complete rethink' needed on flood defences - EA UK floods: 'Complete rethink' needed on flood defences - EA
(about 1 hour later)
There needs to be a "complete rethink" of the UK's flood defences following unprecedented flooding across northern England, the Environment Agency says.There needs to be a "complete rethink" of the UK's flood defences following unprecedented flooding across northern England, the Environment Agency says.
Deputy chief executive David Rooke said increasing resilience and improving warning systems were vital in the face of future "extremes" in weather. Deputy chief executive David Rooke said more resilient homes and better warning systems would be vital for tackling future extremes of weather.
Christmas downpours left parts of Yorkshire, Lancashire and Greater Manchester inundated after rivers at record levels burst their banks. Parts of Yorkshire, Lancashire and Greater Manchester are struggling with the aftermath of downpours that caused rivers to burst their banks.
The PM is due to visit flood-hit areas. The PM is visiting flood-hit areas.
The Environment Agency has nearly 30 severe flood warnings, meaning danger to life, in place for north-east and north-west England, with more than 180 other flood warnings and alerts in England and Wales. David Cameron is likely to face questions about funding for flood defences after some existing structures were overwhelmed.
On Sunday, the government said 200 soldiers were being deployed to affected areas in addition to 300 already on the ground. The Environment Agency still has nearly 30 severe flood warnings, meaning danger to life, in place for north-east and north-west England, and more than 180 other flood warnings and alerts across England and Wales.
A further 1,000 personnel are being held in reserve in case the situation gets worse.
Although Monday will be drier than the weekend, more heavy rain is forecast for the middle of the week.Although Monday will be drier than the weekend, more heavy rain is forecast for the middle of the week.
Record levels 'Save lives'
In York, one of the worst-hit areas where hundreds of properties have been at risk, the River Ouse is now thought to have stabilised. Speaking to Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Rooke said the UK was moving from a period of "known extremes" of weather to one of "unknown extremes" - something which a government review of flood defences would consider before reporting next summer.
City of York Council said plans for further evacuations would not now happen. Asked if the UK needed a new response to flooding, he said: "I think we will need to have that complete rethink and I think we will need to move from not just providing better defences - and we've got a £2.3bn programme to do that over the next six years - but also looking at increasing resilience."
During his visits, Prime Minister David Cameron is likely to face questions about government funding of flood defences after Environment Secretary Liz Truss said some had been "overwhelmed". This would mean "when properties do flood, that they have solid floors, waterproof plaster, more electrics up the wall - so that people can get into their houses and businesses more quickly".
Mr Cameron said the "level of the rivers plus the level of rainfall has created an unprecedented effect, and so some very serious flooding". The UK needed to "continue to improve our flood warning systems, so in the event of defences overtopping people have time to take action and we can save lives", Mr Rooke added.
Latest updates from northern England
'Nightmare' flooding hits York'Nightmare' flooding hits York
In pictures: Flooding devastationIn pictures: Flooding devastation
Many places have seen record river levels over the past 24 hours, including the River Aire in Leeds, and the rivers Calder and Ribble, affecting places such as Whalley, Hebden Bridge and Ribchester. Record levels
Police line down Many places in northern England have seen record river levels over the past 24 hours, including the River Aire in Leeds, and the rivers Calder and Ribble, affecting places such as Whalley, Hebden Bridge and Ribchester.
City of York Council said about 500 properties had been directly affected by flooding and a second rest centre was being opened for residents. In York, where some 500 of properties have been directly affected by flooding, the River Ouse is now thought to have stabilised.
Spokesman Charlie Croft confirmed that river waters in the city appeared to have peaked, telling the BBC: "We have to say that we are still in the middle of a major incident, though tentative positive news is that the river may now have stopped rising at this point." City of York Council said plans for further evacuations would not go ahead, but it has opened a second rest centre for residents.
As well as soldiers and emergency services, about 200 unpaid mountain rescue volunteers from Wales, Cornwall and the Lake District have been helping in the city. Spokesman Charlie Croft said: "We have to say that we are still in the middle of a major incident, though tentative positive news is that the river may now have stopped rising at this point."
Extra soldiers have been deployed to aid emergency services, and about 200 unpaid mountain rescue volunteers from Wales, Cornwall and the Lake District have also been helping in the city.
In other developments:In other developments:
On Sunday, the government said 200 soldiers were being deployed to areas hit by flooding, in addition to 300 already on the ground, with another 1,000 personnel in reserve.
Emergency fundingEmergency funding
Downing Street said emergency financial assistance would be available to homes and businesses in Yorkshire and Lancashire.Downing Street said emergency financial assistance would be available to homes and businesses in Yorkshire and Lancashire.
They will have access to the support package announced earlier in the month for people affected by Storm Desmond in Cumbria.They will have access to the support package announced earlier in the month for people affected by Storm Desmond in Cumbria.
Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said flood-damaged infrastructure - including the A591 through the heart of the Lake District - would be repaired using £40m of emergency government funding.
Leeds Central MP Hilary Benn, who described the flooding as the worst he had seen in the centre of the city, called for increased investment, saying climate change was bringing wetter winters.
The Met Office has issued yellow (be aware) warnings for rain on Wednesday in areas of northern England, Wales and Northern Ireland, bringing the threat of further flooding.The Met Office has issued yellow (be aware) warnings for rain on Wednesday in areas of northern England, Wales and Northern Ireland, bringing the threat of further flooding.
Amber (be prepared) warnings for rain are in place for parts of Scotland on Wednesday too. There are currently no flood warnings in Scotland.Amber (be prepared) warnings for rain are in place for parts of Scotland on Wednesday too. There are currently no flood warnings in Scotland.
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.
Timeline: December floodingTimeline: December flooding
5 December: Storm Desmond brings more than a month's rain to parts of Cumbria, leading to flooding in Carlisle and other areas5 December: Storm Desmond brings more than a month's rain to parts of Cumbria, leading to flooding in Carlisle and other areas
12 December: River levels remain high and more than 70 flood warnings are issued amid more heavy rain12 December: River levels remain high and more than 70 flood warnings are issued amid more heavy rain
22 December: Communities in Cumbria flood again - some for the third time in less than a month22 December: Communities in Cumbria flood again - some for the third time in less than a month
25 December: More than 100 flood alerts and warnings are issued across England and Wales as Storm Eva brings torrential rain25 December: More than 100 flood alerts and warnings are issued across England and Wales as Storm Eva brings torrential rain
26 December: Residents in West Yorkshire and Lancashire are evacuated from their homes and flooding hits Leeds, Greater Manchester and York26 December: Residents in West Yorkshire and Lancashire are evacuated from their homes and flooding hits Leeds, Greater Manchester and York
27 December: Police in York advise hundreds of people to evacuate their homes as severe flood warnings remain in place in northern England27 December: Police in York advise hundreds of people to evacuate their homes as severe flood warnings remain in place in northern England
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.
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