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UK flooding: army to help recovery effort as more rain forecast UK flooding: army to help recovery effort as more rain forecast
(32 minutes later)
Worst-hit areas of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire likely to bear brunt of further downpoursWorst-hit areas of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire likely to bear brunt of further downpours
One hundred army personnel will be deployed to flood-hit communities in South Yorkshire over the next 48 hours as residents prepare for a fresh deluge of rain.One hundred army personnel will be deployed to flood-hit communities in South Yorkshire over the next 48 hours as residents prepare for a fresh deluge of rain.
Weather warnings are in place for much of England and part of Wales on Thursday amid fears that those worst affected will be hit for a second time, hampering the recovery effort.Weather warnings are in place for much of England and part of Wales on Thursday amid fears that those worst affected will be hit for a second time, hampering the recovery effort.
About 400 homes have been flooded and more than 1,200 properties evacuated across parts of northern England in the past week, according to the Environment Agency.About 400 homes have been flooded and more than 1,200 properties evacuated across parts of northern England in the past week, according to the Environment Agency.
Five of the most serious “danger to life” alerts were stood down along the River Don in South Yorkshire on Tuesday, but 20 flood warnings remain in place and more downpours are forecast for Thursday. Five of the most serious “danger to life” alerts were stood down along the River Don in South Yorkshire on Tuesday, but 20 flood warnings remain in place and further downpours are forecast for Thursday.
A Met Office yellow weather warning for rain stretches across much of the country over the next 48 hours, with flood-hit parts of South Yorkshire and Lincolnshire likely to bear the brunt.A Met Office yellow weather warning for rain stretches across much of the country over the next 48 hours, with flood-hit parts of South Yorkshire and Lincolnshire likely to bear the brunt.
The agency said there was a small chance that communities in the region could be completely cut off, perhaps for several days, with a small chance of fast-flowing or deep flood water causing a danger to life. The agency said there was a small chance that communities in the region could be cut off completely, perhaps for several days, with a small chance of fast-flowing or deep flood water causing a danger to life.
The Met Office said there was a small chance of extensive flooding to homes and businesses and a slight chance of power outages.The Met Office said there was a small chance of extensive flooding to homes and businesses and a slight chance of power outages.
The recovery effort was already well under way on Tuesday when, under pressure from opposition leaders, Boris Johnson announced a package of measures to help.The recovery effort was already well under way on Tuesday when, under pressure from opposition leaders, Boris Johnson announced a package of measures to help.
Following a meeting of the government’s emergency committee Cobra on Tuesday evening, the prime minister announced funding “to support the recovery efforts of local councils where households and businesses have been affected”.Following a meeting of the government’s emergency committee Cobra on Tuesday evening, the prime minister announced funding “to support the recovery efforts of local councils where households and businesses have been affected”.
As well as the deployment of 100 armed forces personnel, the government said a community recovery grant would be available to local councils, equivalent to £500 per eligible household, and businesses would be eligible for up to £2,500 each. As well as the deployment of 100 armed forces personnel, the government said a community recovery grant would be available to local councils, equivalent to £500 per eligible household, and businesses would each be eligible for up to £2,500.
Johnson said it had been “an absolute tragedy for those who have seen such damage to their homes and livestock” and that the country had to prepare for more floods this winter because the ground is so waterlogged. Johnson said it had been “an absolute tragedy for those who have seen such damage to their homes and livestock” and that the country had to prepare for more floods this winter because the ground was so waterlogged.
But he faced criticism for refusing to acknowledge the seriousness of the situation on Friday night, when he said the floods were not a national emergency. The prime minister faced criticism for refusing to acknowledge the seriousness of the situation on Friday night, when he said the floods were not a national emergency.
The recovery in the village of Fishlake, near Doncaster, is expected to take weeks, not days. Residents have been advised to leave their homes and evacuate the village, though many have stayed put. The recovery in the village of Fishlake, near Doncaster, is expected to take weeks. Residents have been advised to leave their homes and evacuate the village, though many have stayed put.
The Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, and the Liberal Democrat leader, Jo Swinson, both visited Fishlake on Tuesday, outlining pledges to spend £5.6bn and £5bn respectively on flood defences. The Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, and the Liberal Democrat leader, Jo Swinson, visited Fishlake on Tuesday, outlining pledges to spend £5.6bn and £5bn respectively on flood defences.
Sue Marshall, who has been unable to return to her house since she was evacuated on Saturday, said she hoped the political visits would lead to real help for those affected – and that she feared being flooded on Thursday, when more rain is forecast. Sue Marshall, who has been unable to return to her house since she was evacuated on Saturday, said she hoped the political visits would lead to real help for those affected. She feared being flooded on Thursday, when more rain is forecast.
“I’ve just said to Jo Swinson that it’s all very well her doing this but in a month’s time we’re going to be old news,” she said. “What we need to know is that in two months’ time, the MPs will revisit this and look at what has been done to stop it happening again. And my immediate concern is what are they doing now to stop it happening on Thursday?” “I’ve just said to Jo Swinson that it’s all very well her doing this but in a month’s time we’re going to be old news,” she said. “What we need to know is that in two months’ time, the MPs will revisit this and look at what has been done to stop it happening again. And my immediate concern is what are they doing now to stop it happening on Thursday.”