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Large parts of UK on flood alert Large parts of UK on flood alert
(30 minutes 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 after heavy rain, with further torrential downpours and strong winds predicted for southern England.
The Met Office said up to 20mm (0.8in) of rain could fall on already saturated ground in south-east England. Parts of Cambridgeshire face a severe flood warning meaning lives and dozens of properties may be at risk.
There is one severe flood warning and 13 flood warnings in place for East Anglia and north-east England. The Environment Agency also has 13 flood warnings in place in East Anglia and north-east England and 123 flood watches across England and Wales.
The Environment Agency has also put in place 123 flood watches across much of the rest of England and Wales. In London, the Thames Barrier was raised to reduce the risk of flooding.
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.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.
Gale-force windsGale-force winds
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.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.
A severe flood warning means severe flooding is expected, with extreme danger to life and property. Flood warnings mean flooding of homes and businesses is expected. These mean flooding of homes and businesses is expected.
Less serious flood watches indicate that low-lying land and roads could become flooded.Less serious flood watches indicate that low-lying land and roads could become flooded.
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 AgencyIf 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
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."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.
"Some manholes may have burst their covers, so it's really important to stay out of flood water, a very important message," he said."Some manholes may have burst their covers, so it's really important to stay out of flood water, a very important message," he said.
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."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."
Skiers rescuedSkiers rescued
Some areas could see winds of up to 40 to 50mph on Sunday.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.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.
The Thames Barrier was raised on Sunday morning and is expected to be lowered shortly.
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.
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.
Have you been affected by bad weather? What are conditions like where you live? Please send us your comments and pictures.Have you been affected by bad weather? What are conditions like where you live? Please send us your comments and pictures.
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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