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Large parts of UK on flood alert Large parts of UK on flood alert
(about 2 hours later)
Large parts of the UK are on flood alert after heavy rain, with further torrential downpours and strong winds predicted for southern England. Large parts of the UK are on flood alert as the country is clipped by a deadly storm sweeping across Europe.
Parts of Cambridgeshire face a severe flood warning meaning lives and dozens of properties may be at risk.Parts of Cambridgeshire face a severe flood warning meaning lives and dozens of properties may be at risk.
The Environment Agency also has 20 flood warnings in place in East Anglia and north-east England and 132 flood watches across England and Wales. The Environment Agency also has 23 flood warnings in place in East Anglia and north-east England and 137 flood watches across England and Wales.
In London, the Thames Barrier was raised to reduce the risk of flooding. The UK has escaped the 87mph winds which lashed parts of Spain, Portugal and France, killing at least 45 people.
Two flood watches are currently in force in Scotland for the east coast from Peterhead to Berwick, and the Solway Firth from the Esk Estuary to Loch Ryan. The worst winds reported in Britain reached 40 to 50mph in parts of Kent and East Anglia, with central England also badly hit. In the Isle of Wight, 25mm (1in) of rainfall was recorded.
Fast-flowing waterFast-flowing water
The severe flood warning affects King's Ripton, Broughton, Wistow, Bury and Ramsey in East Anglia.The severe flood warning affects King's Ripton, Broughton, Wistow, Bury and Ramsey in East Anglia.
The flood warnings for England affect parts of the River Nene, east of Peterborough and sections of the River Ouse south of York, and the River Derwent, north east of the city. People living in the area have not been asked to evacuate their homes but were told to check the whereabouts of family and pets and to move valuables upstairs, according to the Environment Agency.
These mean flooding of homes and businesses is expected. Cambridgeshire Police said they were monitoring the at-risk areas.
Less serious flood watches indicate that low-lying land and roads could become flooded. There are 14 less serious flood warnings in place in parts of Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, Buckinghamshire, Essex and Bedfordshire and eight warnings in north-east England, including parts of Yorkshire, Tyne and Wear and Sunderland.
If flooding does occur in your area, it's best to stay out of flood water. It's often dirty and if it's fast flowing, can be extremely dangerous David BeddlingtonEnvironment Agency These warnings indicate homes and businesses are at risk of flooding.
Less serious flood watches, affecting nearly all of England and Wales, indicate that low-lying land and roads could become flooded.
Two flood watches are currently in force in Scotland for the east coast from Peterhead to Berwick, and the Solway Firth from the Esk Estuary to Loch Ryan.
If flooding does occur in your area, it's best to stay out of flood water. It's often dirty and if it's fast flowing, can be extremely dangerous David BeddlingtonEnvironment Agency At least 45 die in Europe storms
The Environment Agency said its officials were watching the situation closely and a spokesman urged people in the affected areas to be prepared.The Environment Agency said its officials were watching the situation closely and a spokesman urged people in the affected areas to be prepared.
"If flooding does occur in your area, (it's) best to stay out of flood water. Flood water is often contaminated, it's often dirty and if it's fast flowing, can be extremely dangerous," said the agency's David Beddlington."If flooding does occur in your area, (it's) best to stay out of flood water. Flood water is often contaminated, it's often dirty and if it's fast flowing, can be extremely dangerous," said the agency's David Beddlington.
"Even a few inches of water, if it's flowing, can knock people off their feet, and often you can't actually see through flood water. It's often muddy or dirty and there may be debris under the water. BBC weather forecaster Rob McElwee said most of the violence in the storm was on the southern side, whereas Britain had taken only a glancing blow from the northern side.
"Some manholes may have burst their covers, so it's really important to stay out of flood water, a very important message," he said. He forecast a cold, frosty and mainly dry night in Britain and warned that the system of low pressure was likely to wreak more havoc in Germany and Poland overnight.
BBC weather forecaster Philip Avery said south-east England would be "pretty wet and windy" for a good part of the day but predicted that "most areas will be dry by late afternoon, early evening." On Monday, some fog and sunshine was expected in the UK, he added.
Skiers rescuedSkiers rescued
Some areas could see winds of up to 40 to 50mph on Sunday.
The rest of the UK will experience a mix of weather on Sunday with the "calm after the storm" likely on Monday, he added.
Earlier, the Met Office issued a severe weather warning for south-east England and warned up to 20mm (0.8in) of rain could fall on already saturated ground. By lunchtime, the warning had been lifted.Earlier, the Met Office issued a severe weather warning for south-east England and warned up to 20mm (0.8in) of rain could fall on already saturated ground. By lunchtime, the warning had been lifted.
The Met Office had warned of up to 20mm of rain falling in the southThe Met Office had warned of up to 20mm of rain falling in the south
The Thames Barrier was raised on Sunday morning and is expected to be lowered shortly. In London, the Thames Barrier was raised on Sunday morning and lowered in the afternoon.
An Environment Agency spokesman said there was a risk water trying to flow out of London could become trapped by the high tide and a storm surge from the Channel. An Environment Agency spokesman said there had been a risk water trying to flow out of London could become trapped by the high tide and a storm surge from the Channel.
Scotland saw the return of snow last week, and two skiers had to be rescued after being caught in an avalanche on Saturday.Scotland saw the return of snow last week, and two skiers had to be rescued after being caught in an avalanche on Saturday.
The men, who suffered leg injuries, were airlifted from the Cam Ghleann area of Glencoe.The men, who suffered leg injuries, were airlifted from the Cam Ghleann area of Glencoe.
Power cuts caused by the snow affected 45,000 homes in rural Perthshire but all are now reconnected.Power cuts caused by the snow affected 45,000 homes in rural Perthshire but all are now reconnected.
On Friday a woman died when her Land Rover was swept down a river near Cropton in North Yorkshire.On Friday a woman died when her Land Rover was swept down a river near Cropton in North Yorkshire.
Police found 53-year-old Vanessa Robson's vehicle almost totally submerged under a bridge and it took divers four hours to find her body.Police found 53-year-old Vanessa Robson's vehicle almost totally submerged under a bridge and it took divers four hours to find her body.
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Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here.
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