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Flood warnings issued across UK Flood warnings issued across UK
(30 minutes later)
Parts of the UK could be hit by floods, with heavy rain and high winds forecast to batter the country over the weekend. Parts of the UK have been hit by floods, with heavy rains and wind forecast to continue over the weekend.
Snow has fallen on high ground in Scotland, while forecasters say up to 25mm (1in) of rain is expected over northern England. Scotland has seen some snow, while up to 25mm (1in) of rain is expected in northern England. Overnight some parts of the south could see more than 30mm.
Seven flood warnings have been issued for north-east England, and 62 flood watches across Scotland and England. Four flood warnings have been issued for north-east England, and 60 flood watches across Scotland and England.
The warnings come after a woman died as a Land Rover was swept down a swollen river near Cropton, North Yorkshire. It comes after a woman, 53, died when a Land Rover was swept down a swollen river near Cropton, North Yorkshire.
Police found the vehicle almost totally submerged under a bridge on the North York Moors. Police found the vehicle almost totally submerged under a bridge on the North York Moors. It took divers four hours to find a body.
The floods could affect south-east England on Sunday, with 40-50mph winds and up to 40mm of rain forecast. The Environment Agency's flood warnings were in force on the River Went, South Yorkshire, the upper River Hull in East Yorkshire, part of the River Ouse, North Yorkshire, and Lustrum Beck, in County Durham.
Our teams have been out on the ground checking flood defences across the country and have been placed on standby for the weekend Craig WoolhouseEnvironment Agency Body found after moors flood Now is an ideal time for anyone living in an area vulnerable to flooding to think about the steps they can take to protect their properties Andrew GilhamEnvironment Agency Body found after moors flood
Flood warnings mean that flooding of homes and businesses is expected.
Less serious flood watches indicate that low-lying land and roads could become flooded.
Winds of 40-50mph are forecast for England on Sunday.
BBC forecaster Helen Willetts said: "The ground is very saturated after all the rain we've seen recently.BBC forecaster Helen Willetts said: "The ground is very saturated after all the rain we've seen recently.
"We're expecting more showers, particularly in southern areas, through Saturday. Then Sunday unleashes a really ferocious storm which is expected to batter Western Europe.""We're expecting more showers, particularly in southern areas, through Saturday. Then Sunday unleashes a really ferocious storm which is expected to batter Western Europe."
Southern and eastern areas of the UK are expected to bear the brunt, while high spring tides could combine with the rainfall to increase the risk of flooding along the east coast.Southern and eastern areas of the UK are expected to bear the brunt, while high spring tides could combine with the rainfall to increase the risk of flooding along the east coast.
Flood defences Some 50-70mm (2-3in) of rain has already fallen in Kent, Sussex, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight this week, with sodden ground likely to cause problems.
The Environment Agency's head of incident management, Craig Woolhouse, said teams were monitoring river and sea levels in England and Wales. On Friday there were widespread reports of flash flooding in Yorkshire, with roads near Scarborough submerged.
"Our teams have been out on the ground checking flood defences across the country and have been placed on standby for the weekend," he said. Waters rising
Current flood warnings - which warn that flooding of homes and businesses is expected - affect the Sea Cut in Newby and Scalby and parts of the rivers Went and Esk, all in Yorkshire, and Lustrum Beck at Stockton-on-Tees. North Yorkshire Fire Service said there were fewer flooding calls overnight.
The less serious flood watches indicate that low-lying land and roads could become flooded. The Environment Agency's Andrew Gilham said: "We've had a lot of rain during this week and as a result the ground is now saturated and river levels have risen.
"Now is an ideal time for anyone living in an area vulnerable to flooding to think about the steps they can take to protect their properties.
"By taking simple precautions we can limit the damage a flood can leave behind."
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