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 18 Version 19
Torrential rain sweeps across UK Torrential rain sweeps across UK
(10 minutes 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.
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.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. Berkshire and south London are among the worst affected areas, along with Worcestershire and Herefordshire.
Rain has been falling at up to 24mm (1in) an hour and some areas could see levels reach 70mm (2.8in) in 24 hours.
Homes floodedHomes flooded
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 central England for Friday evening. Warnings are in place for north-west England and north Wales on Saturday.
Map: Flooding in England and WalesMap: Flooding in England and Wales
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 picturesSee 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. Flash flooding has hit many parts of Berkshire, forcing the closure of at least three schools in Windsor and one in Maidenhead, where about 30 homes have been flooded and a woman had to be rescued from her car. The town's main shopping centre, Nicholson Walk, was also shut.
In Maidenhead, about 30 homes have been flooded and a woman had to be rescued from her car.
The town's main shopping centre, Nicholson Walk, 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 a 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. People are being advised not to attempt inessential journeys in Herefordshire and Worcestershire as floods hit roads and rail services.
In Hereford, the council handed out Wellington boots to help motorists trying to rescue about 200 vehicles stranded in a car park.
The approach to Luton airport has been closed because of flooding, causing delays for passengers trying to reach the airport.The approach to Luton airport has been closed because of flooding, causing delays for passengers trying to reach the airport.
Firefighters were called to help rescue children from Cherry Orchard Primary School in Worcester after it was flooded by half a foot of water.
The city's roads have been badly hit, with police advising drivers to take care on the only four remaining routes which are affected by standing water.
In West Sussex, Worthing Hospital has been flooded by 18in of water, with many homes also flooded across the county.
And in Cumbria a 64-year-old man has died after suffering head injuries while trying to bail water out of the flooded basement of his home in Alston.
Travel disruptionTravel 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 line partially suspended and several 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 Your pics: London chaosNetwork 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 Your pics: London chaos
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.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.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.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.
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 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."
People across the country have been told the weather could lead to flooding and cause disruption to outdoor events and transport networks. 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 class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=6893&edition=1&ttl=20070720094446">Send us your experiences
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. North East Lincolnshire council is on a state of alert ahead of possible heavy rain this weekend, with thousands of sandbags being delivered to areas that suffered flooding 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.
Maidenhead: Around 30 homes flooded, main shopping centre closed.Windsor: Two schools closedLondon: Flash flooding hits parts of south and west London. Severe disruption to rail travel between London, Oxford and Bristol. Some Underground stations closed.M4 motorway: Partially flooded between junctions 12 and 13Barry, South Wales: Parts of the town are underwater. Three people trapped in a building rescued by emergency services.Northamptonshire: Villages of Syresham and Helmdon hit by flash floodsNorth Yorkshire: Several villages affected by floodwater, including 30 homes evacuated in Gilling BeckMaidenhead: Around 30 homes flooded, main shopping centre closed.Windsor: Two schools closedLondon: Flash flooding hits parts of south and west London. Severe disruption to rail travel between London, Oxford and Bristol. Some Underground stations closed.M4 motorway: Partially flooded between junctions 12 and 13Barry, South Wales: Parts of the town are underwater. Three people trapped in a building rescued by emergency services.Northamptonshire: Villages of Syresham and Helmdon hit by flash floodsNorth Yorkshire: Several villages affected by floodwater, including 30 homes evacuated in Gilling Beck
Return to the topReturn to the top