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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.
The Met Office has severe weather warnings for Wales and across central, south and east England on Friday.
Warnings are in place for north west England and north Wales on Saturday.
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 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 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.
Car rescue
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, at least 30 homes have flooded and at least one 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 Your pics: Berkshire floodsWet weather will spread across the country over the weekend Your pics: Berkshire floods
The town's main shopping centre 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.
Five people have been reported trapped by flash flooding on the first floor of a building in Barry, south Wales, where members of the public have requested sandbags and a fire service dinghy has been sent. 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.
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 is handing out wellington boots to help motorists rescue about 200 vehicles stranded in a car park.In Hereford, the council is handing out wellington boots to help motorists rescue about 200 vehicles stranded in a car park.
Roads flooded 'Extraordinary rainfall'
BBC weather forecaster Rob McElwee said most counties west of London, and as far north as Manchester, were affected. 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.
He said: "The whole lot will move slowly northwards and during Saturday it will be trying to cover Scotland and Northern Ireland." 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
Julia Abbott, from BBC Travel, said roads were being affected by flooding and surface spray mostly in south-east and south-west England. BBC weather forecaster Kirsty McCabe said: "We have had some quite extraordinary rainfall."
They include the M4 and A404 in Berkshire, the A421 in Buckinghamshire and the A443 in Worcestershire. The BBC Travel service said affected roads included the M4 and A404 in Berkshire, the A421 in Buckinghamshire and the A443 in Worcestershire.
Residents evacuated In the London area the A23 in South Croydon, the M25 clockwise at Reigate and the M25 anti-clockwise at Wisley have been hit.
Residents have been evacuated from villages in North Yorkshire after Skeeby Beck burst its banks.
Up to 25 fire crews have been dispatched, but North Yorkshire Police have said that flooding has "subsided significantly".
The villages affected include Gilling West, where 30 homes have been evacuated, Scotch Corner, Melsonby, Kirby Hill, Middleton Tyas and Ravensworth, while a number of side roads off the A66 are still closed.
School holidaysSchool 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.
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 inundated 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.