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UK floods: Storm Frank threatens more misery UK floods: Storm Frank threatens more misery
(35 minutes later)
A fresh storm threatens to bring more misery to parts of the UK, including areas already hit by severe flooding.A fresh storm threatens to bring more misery to parts of the UK, including areas already hit by severe flooding.
Storm Frank is due to sweep in from Tuesday evening, with Cumbria and south and central Scotland at most risk.Storm Frank is due to sweep in from Tuesday evening, with Cumbria and south and central Scotland at most risk.
There are already nine severe flood warnings - meaning "danger to life" - in England and Wales, mostly centred on York which was flooded on Saturday.There are already nine severe flood warnings - meaning "danger to life" - in England and Wales, mostly centred on York which was flooded on Saturday.
David Cameron has defended government spending on flood defences after the devastation across northern England.David Cameron has defended government spending on flood defences after the devastation across northern England.
Floods minister Rory Stewart told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the government was open to the idea of an external review being held and expressed concern over Storm Frank.Floods minister Rory Stewart told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the government was open to the idea of an external review being held and expressed concern over Storm Frank.
The Environment Agency has said a "complete rethink" of flood defences is needed.
Follow the latest live updates on the floodingFollow the latest live updates on the flooding
'Troublemaker''Troublemaker'
December has seen communities in Cumbria, Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Yorkshire swamped by rising waters and Storm Frank now poses a new threat. December has already seen communities in Cumbria, Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Yorkshire swamped by rising waters and Storm Frank now poses a new threat.
The Met Office has issued amber weather warnings - meaning "be prepared" - for rain in Strathclyde; Central, Tayside and Fife; Dumfries, Galloway, Lothian and Borders; and North West England for Wednesday. Ahead of its arrival, the Met Office issued amber weather warnings - meaning "be prepared" - for rain in Strathclyde; Central, Tayside and Fife; Dumfries, Galloway, Lothian and Borders; and North West England for Wednesday.
There are also yellow weather warnings - meaning "be aware" - for rain for the rest of Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, North East England and Yorkshire and Humber.There are also yellow weather warnings - meaning "be aware" - for rain for the rest of Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, North East England and Yorkshire and Humber.
At the sceneAt the scene
By Jeremy Cooke, BBC UK Affairs correspondentBy Jeremy Cooke, BBC UK Affairs correspondent
The good news from the skies above Selby and York is that the flood waters are in retreat.The good news from the skies above Selby and York is that the flood waters are in retreat.
The helicopter crew I am with have been flying over these drenched communities for days. And they tell me there is a dramatic difference. I can see traffic and trains moving through York, as its famous minster basks in winter sunshine.The helicopter crew I am with have been flying over these drenched communities for days. And they tell me there is a dramatic difference. I can see traffic and trains moving through York, as its famous minster basks in winter sunshine.
But look more closely and you can see some homes and businesses still underwater. And the countryside beyond is still a vast expanse of open water.But look more closely and you can see some homes and businesses still underwater. And the countryside beyond is still a vast expanse of open water.
From up here it is hard to imagine that all of this water is not a permanent fixture of the landscape. But of course it will eventually drain away - communities and roads and farmland will reappear.From up here it is hard to imagine that all of this water is not a permanent fixture of the landscape. But of course it will eventually drain away - communities and roads and farmland will reappear.
For the people here, what will remain, will be the memories and the images of the great flood of 2015.For the people here, what will remain, will be the memories and the images of the great flood of 2015.
BBC weather presenter Sarah Keith-Lucas said: "The wind and the rain will strengthen during the course of Tuesday, all down to Storm Frank.BBC weather presenter Sarah Keith-Lucas said: "The wind and the rain will strengthen during the course of Tuesday, all down to Storm Frank.
"That's going to be pushing towards the north of the UK but Tuesday night into Wednesday a trailing weather front will be quite a troublemaker, bringing not only destructive winds but also further heavy rain.""That's going to be pushing towards the north of the UK but Tuesday night into Wednesday a trailing weather front will be quite a troublemaker, bringing not only destructive winds but also further heavy rain."
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency warned Storm Frank could bring further flooding to Scotland. Wales is also bracing itself for more rain.The Scottish Environment Protection Agency warned Storm Frank could bring further flooding to Scotland. Wales is also bracing itself for more rain.
Further afield, Ireland has also issued weather warnings ahead of the arrival of Storm Frank - two orange and two yellow, both for wind and rain.Further afield, Ireland has also issued weather warnings ahead of the arrival of Storm Frank - two orange and two yellow, both for wind and rain.
Mr Stewart also told the BBC he was "very concerned" about the weather forecasts over the next two days.Mr Stewart also told the BBC he was "very concerned" about the weather forecasts over the next two days.
"There's another front coming in, there could be more flooding again so we really need emergency services, voluntary groups, mountain rescue to rest to be ready for what could be a very bad situation Wednesday and Thursday.""There's another front coming in, there could be more flooding again so we really need emergency services, voluntary groups, mountain rescue to rest to be ready for what could be a very bad situation Wednesday and Thursday."
'Long-term plan''Long-term plan'
Mr Stewart said the £2.3bn being spent on flood defences over six years would allow the government to take long-term decisions. West Yorkshire Police said it had accepted help from motorcycle clubs from Bradford and surrounding areas to provide extra patrols in the Calderdale Valleys region, after looters raided flood-hit buildings.
And North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service has tweeted that it ferried a midwife for a scheduled visit to see a newborn baby in Ozendyke.
Mr Stewart said £2.3bn being spent on flood defences over six years would allow the government to take long-term decisions.
"There are going to be different parts of the country where people are going to be pushing for bigger schemes," he said."There are going to be different parts of the country where people are going to be pushing for bigger schemes," he said.
"We have to try to be fair, we're putting a lot of money into this and we're making sure we're spending it in the most cost effective way we can.""We have to try to be fair, we're putting a lot of money into this and we're making sure we're spending it in the most cost effective way we can."
The government has ordered a major review of flood prevention strategy.The government has ordered a major review of flood prevention strategy.
Shadow chancellor John McDonnell also told Today that the issue of flooding should be beyond party politics. Shadow chancellor John McDonnell told Today that the issue of flooding should be beyond party politics.
And he said any review must include the input of experts "who really get down on the ground, talking to council leaders and local communities".And he said any review must include the input of experts "who really get down on the ground, talking to council leaders and local communities".
He added: "We come up with a long-term plan that goes beyond the life of one parliament, we all sign up to it and we don't get into this situation where it's stop-start again."He added: "We come up with a long-term plan that goes beyond the life of one parliament, we all sign up to it and we don't get into this situation where it's stop-start again."
The Met Office said parts of Cumbria, Lancashire and Yorkshire had seen record levels of rainfall for December.The Met Office said parts of Cumbria, Lancashire and Yorkshire had seen record levels of rainfall for December.
Analysts estimate the cost of flooding across northern England could exceed £1.5bn.Analysts estimate the cost of flooding across northern England could exceed £1.5bn.
How are you preparing for Storm Frank? Have you been affected by the recent flooding? If it is safe for you to get in touch, please email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your pictures and experiences. Are you affected by the issues raised in this story? If it is safe for you to get in touch, please email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your pictures and experiences.
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