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Minister in flood cash aid pledge Minister in flood cash aid pledge
(about 1 hour later)
Communities Secretary Hazel Blears says local authorities will be given financial aid to assist with the damage caused by heavy flooding. Local authorities will be given financial aid to assist with the damage caused by heavy flooding, Communities Secretary Hazel Blears has said.
"Local authorities can make a claim on central government for some of the costs they are incurring," she said. She said people had gone through an "incredibly traumatic" experience.
Cabinet minister Alan Johnson is to visit Hull after claims by its council that it has become the "forgotten city" of the recent flooding. Alan Johnson, a Hull MP and the health secretary, is to visit his constituency after its council said it had become the "forgotten city" of the flooding.
Mr Johnson, who is MP for Hull West, will visit a flooded estate. Mr Johnson will visit a flooded estate. An estimated 35,000 people have been affected by flooding in Hull.
Ms Blears is visiting Sheffield on Thursday and Hull on Friday to witness the aftermath of the devastation caused by the water.Ms Blears is visiting Sheffield on Thursday and Hull on Friday to witness the aftermath of the devastation caused by the water.
She said: "Sometimes people came out just with what they stood up in. She said: "Local authorities can make a claim on central government for some of the costs they are incurring.
"Sometimes people came out just with what they stood up in.
"There are crisis grants available, there are some community care grants available. We've really got to see now how we can help people through this process."There are crisis grants available, there are some community care grants available. We've really got to see now how we can help people through this process.
"It's incredibly traumatic to see your lifetime's possessions ruined and swept away in this way, and we want to help as much as we can.""It's incredibly traumatic to see your lifetime's possessions ruined and swept away in this way, and we want to help as much as we can."
Hull City Council says the cost of flood damage to some 10,500 properties could hit £200m and has called on the government for urgent financial help. Hull City Council says the cost of flood damage to some 10,500 properties could hit £200m.
Some flood victims in Hull may not be able to return home for up to a year, the city council has said. Some £18m has been earmarked for repairs to the affected homes, but the council has called on the government for urgent financial help.
Council leader Carl Minns told BBC News: "We need government help and we need government help now. Some flood victims may not be able to return home for up to a year, the city council has said.
Council leader Carl Minns said: "We need government help and we need government help now.
We need to get the message out to the government to the people of this country how hard Hull has been affected Carl MinnsHull City Council leaderWe need to get the message out to the government to the people of this country how hard Hull has been affected Carl MinnsHull City Council leader
"If this was anywhere else it would have been declared a national disaster and I think that Hull has been forgotten about."If this was anywhere else it would have been declared a national disaster and I think that Hull has been forgotten about.
"We need to get the message out to the government and to the people of this country how hard Hull has been affected." "We need to get the message out to the government and to the people of this country how hard Hull has been affected.
One in 10 households and about 30,000 people had been affected by the floods with many still displaced, he said. "There's a massive humanitarian disaster here that we've set up an appeal fund for - The Hull Flood Fund - and I appeal to people across the country to donate so we can help those 35,000 people get back to normal as well."
Whole swathes of the city had been "devastated", he added. One in 10 households had been affected by the floods with many still displaced, he said.
Some £18m has been earmarked for repairs to the affected homes, but the council says the cost of the floods could reach £200m. The council fears some schools will not reopen until as late as December or January, although it says it is awaiting full inspection reports.
It fears some schools will not re-open until as late as December or January, although it says it is awaiting full inspection reports.
The Met Office has confirmed June was the wettest since records begin with 134.5mm (5.3in) of rain.
Meanwhile, the father of a man who died when his foot became trapped in a drain in floodwater in Hull has said more should have been done by the emergency services.Meanwhile, the father of a man who died when his foot became trapped in a drain in floodwater in Hull has said more should have been done by the emergency services.
Extra staff to help victims Where were prince's wellies?Extra staff to help victims Where were prince's wellies?
Mike Barnett, 28, died in Hessle after being trapped for several hours in the rising water as he was attempting to clear the drain.Mike Barnett, 28, died in Hessle after being trapped for several hours in the rising water as he was attempting to clear the drain.
His father, also called Mike, told Sky News: "The fire [service], the police, ambulances, paramedics, divers were virtually arguing between themselves what they should do, what they shouldn't do.His father, also called Mike, told Sky News: "The fire [service], the police, ambulances, paramedics, divers were virtually arguing between themselves what they should do, what they shouldn't do.
"They should have known what to do before they even got there.""They should have known what to do before they even got there."
Mr Barnett was speaking after agreeing to allow footage to be broadcast showing the failed rescue attempts to free his son.Mr Barnett was speaking after agreeing to allow footage to be broadcast showing the failed rescue attempts to free his son.
A senior police officer has now been appointed by a coroner to lead an investigation into the incident.A senior police officer has now been appointed by a coroner to lead an investigation into the incident.
Mr Johnson, who is MP for Kingston Upon Hull West and Hessle, said a proper inquiry was needed to "satisfy Michael's family that we've done everything we can to see the devastating problem that happened to Michael - what could have been done to avoid it".Mr Johnson, who is MP for Kingston Upon Hull West and Hessle, said a proper inquiry was needed to "satisfy Michael's family that we've done everything we can to see the devastating problem that happened to Michael - what could have been done to avoid it".
Royal visit
On Wednesday, Prince Charles visited Toll Bar, in Doncaster, South Yorkshire.On Wednesday, Prince Charles visited Toll Bar, in Doncaster, South Yorkshire.
He saw some of the devastation suffered by hundreds of homes in the village, which was first hit by flooding a week ago.He saw some of the devastation suffered by hundreds of homes in the village, which was first hit by flooding a week ago.
And he entertained onlookers by sitting in an inflatable boat to be rowed along the deserted high street, which is still under up to 4ft (1.2m) of water. On Thursday morning, the Environment Agency still had 11 flood warnings in force in Anglia, north-east and north-west England, the Midlands and Wales.
More heavy downpours are expected in many parts of the UK as the clear-up continues in areas hit by severe flooding.
On Thursday morning, the Environment Agency still had 11 flood warnings in force in Anglia, north-east and north-west England, the Midlands and Wales.
Have you been affected by the floods? Do you have experiences of the situation in Hull? Send us your comments using the form below.Have you been affected by the floods? Do you have experiences of the situation in Hull? Send us your comments using the form below.
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