This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/6907316.stm

The article has changed 24 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 12 Version 13
Torrential rain sweeps across UK Torrential rain sweeps across UK
(about 1 hour later)
Torrential rain is sweeping across the UK, with flash floods leaving some homes waterlogged and schools closed.Torrential rain is sweeping across the UK, with flash floods leaving some homes waterlogged and schools closed.
Berkshire is one of the worst affected areas, and the council is handing out sandbags to residents in Maidenhead.Berkshire is one of the worst affected areas, and the council is handing out sandbags to residents in Maidenhead.
The band of severe weather has hit southern and central England and Wales, and will move north to reach Scotland and Northern Ireland over the weekend.The band of severe weather has hit southern and central England and Wales, and will move north to reach Scotland and Northern Ireland over the weekend.
Several roads in southern England and the Midlands are closed, with many rail and Tube services badly disrupted.
Rain is falling at up to 24mm (1in) an hour and some areas could see levels reach 70mm (2.8in) in 24 hours.Rain is falling at up to 24mm (1in) an hour and some areas could see levels reach 70mm (2.8in) in 24 hours.
Homes floodedHomes flooded
See the predicted track of the torrential rainIn pictures
The Met Office has severe weather warnings for Wales and across central, southern and eastern England for Friday. Warnings are in place for north west England and north Wales on Saturday.The Met Office has severe weather warnings for Wales and across central, southern and eastern England for Friday. Warnings are in place for north west England and north Wales on Saturday.
The Environment Agency has two flood warnings, both in north east England on the River Hull.The Environment Agency has two flood warnings, both in north east England on the River Hull.
See the predicted track of the torrential rainIn pictures
Many areas of Berkshire have been affected by flash flooding, where at least three schools in Windsor and one in Maidenhead have been closed.Many areas of Berkshire have been affected by flash flooding, where at least three schools in Windsor and one in Maidenhead have been closed.
In Maidenhead, about 30 homes have been flooded and a woman had to be rescued from her car.In Maidenhead, about 30 homes have been flooded and a woman had to be rescued from her car.
Wet weather will spread across the country over the weekend class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6908187.stm">Your pics: Berkshire floods The town's main shopping centre, Nicholson Walk, is shut as are several other town centre stores.
The town's main shopping centre is shut as are several other town centre stores.
A National Trust property, Basildon Park, in the west of the county has been closed because shops and the car park are flooded, and homes in Newbury have also been flooded.A National Trust property, Basildon Park, in the west of the county has been closed because shops and the car park are flooded, and homes in Newbury have also been flooded.
Three people trapped in a building cut off by floods in Barry, south Wales, were rescued by emergency services.Three people trapped in a building cut off by floods in Barry, south Wales, were rescued by emergency services.
Residents in the town have requested sandbags and a fire service dinghy has been sent.Residents in the town have requested sandbags and a fire service dinghy has been sent.
In south Northamptonshire, the villages of Syresham and Helmdon - where the junior school has been evacuated - have been worst affected.In south Northamptonshire, the villages of Syresham and Helmdon - where the junior school has been evacuated - have been worst affected.
In Hereford, the council has been handing out wellington boots to help motorists rescue about 200 vehicles stranded in a car park. In Hereford, the council has been handing out Wellington boots to help motorists rescue about 200 vehicles stranded in a car park.
Travel disruption
The weather is hitting roads and rail services, with London Underground's Circle line suspended, the District and Hammersmith and City lines partially suspended and 15 Tube stations closed because of flooding.The weather is hitting roads and rail services, with London Underground's Circle line suspended, the District and Hammersmith and City lines partially suspended and 15 Tube stations closed because of flooding.
Network Rail says rail services between London and the West Country have been badly affected, with no trains running between Paddington and Bristol or between Newbury and Reading. Wet weather will spread across the country over the weekend Your pics: Berkshire floods
The London to Brighton line is badly disrupted, as are services between Sevenoaks and London Blackfriars. Flooding has also hit train services between Cardiff and Birmingham and between Leeds and Doncaster.
First Great Western advised passengers not to travel by train because of the extreme weather conditions.
Flooding is causing widespread problems on the roads in Surrey, Berkshire and south-west London, which the BBC Travel service described as "still badly flooded". The M40 in Warwickshire and the M50 in Worcestershire are closed due to flooding and there are reports of a landslide causing disruption on the M4 in west Berkshire.
'Extraordinary rainfall''Extraordinary rainfall'
The BBC Weather Centre said rain was expected to fall across Wales, Greater Manchester, the Midlands, East Anglia and southern England as far west as Dorset and Somerset.The BBC Weather Centre said rain was expected to fall across Wales, Greater Manchester, the Midlands, East Anglia and southern England as far west as Dorset and Somerset.
HAVE YOUR SAY I have never seen rain like it. I have just been in the garden, trying to get the water out. Graham Moore, Tooting, London Send us your experiencesHAVE YOUR SAY I have never seen rain like it. I have just been in the garden, trying to get the water out. Graham Moore, Tooting, London Send us your experiences
BBC weather forecaster Kirsty McCabe said: "We have had some quite extraordinary rainfall."BBC weather forecaster Kirsty McCabe said: "We have had some quite extraordinary rainfall."
The BBC Travel service said affected roads included the M4 and A404 in Berkshire, the A421 in Buckinghamshire and the A443 in Worcestershire.
In the London area the A23 in South Croydon, the M25 clockwise at Reigate and the M25 anti-clockwise at Wisley have been hit.
School holidays
People across the country have been told the weather could lead to flooding and cause disruption to outdoor events and transport networks.People across the country have been told the weather could lead to flooding and cause disruption to outdoor events and transport networks.
The Highways Agency has warned rain and spray can reduce visibility and more than double the distance it takes vehicles to stop.The Highways Agency has warned rain and spray can reduce visibility and more than double the distance it takes vehicles to stop.
Greater numbers of motorists than normal are expected to take to the roads because it is the start of the school holidays in many areas.Greater numbers of motorists than normal are expected to take to the roads because it is the start of the school holidays in many areas.
Road users in the West Midlands particularly were advised that heavy rain could affect their journeys.Road users in the West Midlands particularly were advised that heavy rain could affect their journeys.
North East Lincolnshire council is on a state of alert ahead of possible heavy rain this weekend, with thousands of sandbags are being delivered to areas flooded in June.
Tory leader David Cameron is to visit an area of Lincoln on Friday afternoon to see the damage caused by the recent floods.Tory leader David Cameron is to visit an area of Lincoln on Friday afternoon to see the damage caused by the recent floods.
In June, four people died in floods which hit parts of the Midlands and Yorkshire, with more than 30,000 homes and 7,000 businesses affected.In June, four people died in floods which hit parts of the Midlands and Yorkshire, with more than 30,000 homes and 7,000 businesses affected.