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Flood risk remains as rivers rise Flood risk remains as rivers rise
(about 2 hours later)
There are concerns that the Rivers Severn and Thames could be overwhelmed causing further flooding, following Friday's heavy rain.There are concerns that the Rivers Severn and Thames could be overwhelmed causing further flooding, following Friday's heavy rain.
Severn Trent Water says 150,000 homes are without water in Gloucestershire after a treatment works was flooded.Severn Trent Water says 150,000 homes are without water in Gloucestershire after a treatment works was flooded.
The Environment Agency says the situation in the south-west Midlands and Oxfordshire is "critical".The Environment Agency says the situation in the south-west Midlands and Oxfordshire is "critical".
Officials in Oxford are preparing for an evacuation of 1,500 people as levels in the Thames continue to rise.Officials in Oxford are preparing for an evacuation of 1,500 people as levels in the Thames continue to rise.
YOUR PICTURES Your images of flooding from around the country Tap water 'could run dry'YOUR PICTURES Your images of flooding from around the country Tap water 'could run dry'
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who will visit flood-hit areas on Monday, has chaired a meeting of the government's emergency committee Cobra.Meanwhile, Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who will visit flood-hit areas on Monday, has chaired a meeting of the government's emergency committee Cobra.
Several ministers and the Chief Constable of Gloucestershire Police, Tim Brain, were involved.Several ministers and the Chief Constable of Gloucestershire Police, Tim Brain, were involved.
Water supplies in north Gloucestershire were running out on Sunday evening after a treatment plant flooded. Supplies of clean water in parts of Gloucestershire were running out on Monday morning after a treatment plant flooded.
The taps have run dry in many parts of Gloucester and some areas of Cheltenham.
Severn Trent Water urged people not to panic and to do all they could to conserve water.Severn Trent Water urged people not to panic and to do all they could to conserve water.
Peter Bungard from Gloucestershire County Council told BBC Five Live about 300,000 had been affected by the loss of water supply and the county faced a "lot of challenges".
Bottled water would be provided and a number of water bowsers would be deployed to the area, he said.
HAVE YOUR SAY We must now look at proper regional controls and answers for surface water problems Ted Smith, Worcester Send us your experiences Army called in with suppliesHAVE YOUR SAY We must now look at proper regional controls and answers for surface water problems Ted Smith, Worcester Send us your experiences Army called in with supplies
The RAF has been drafted in to try and stop water flooding an electricity sub station in Gloucestershire. Elsewhere in Gloucestershire, the RAF and firefighters have been battling through the night to stop water flooding an electricity sub station.
Flight Lieutenant Emrys Rogers said about 20 personnel from RAF Innsworth were "providing the flood defences, sand-bagging and doing what they can" to keep the sub station dry. Assistant chief fire officer Chris Griffin said he believed the situation was now under control.
"Hopefully without too much more activity from the water level, we'll be able to keep the electricity sub station dry and therefore still keeping the electricity flowing to Gloucestershire," he said.
Electricity supplier Central Networks has advised customers to ring 0800 328 1111 to report loss of supply.Electricity supplier Central Networks has advised customers to ring 0800 328 1111 to report loss of supply.
John Kelly, Oxford's Emergency Planning Officer, said evacuees were staying at the town's football stadium.John Kelly, Oxford's Emergency Planning Officer, said evacuees were staying at the town's football stadium.
"I'm dealing with the evacuees at the moment. They're just arriving in our rest centre at the home of Oxford United - the town's stadium in Oxford."I'm dealing with the evacuees at the moment. They're just arriving in our rest centre at the home of Oxford United - the town's stadium in Oxford.
"We're planning to evacuate possibly up to some 1,500 people at the last count - but I don't in the end expect that many to arrive at the rest centre, but that's what we're planning for at the moment.""We're planning to evacuate possibly up to some 1,500 people at the last count - but I don't in the end expect that many to arrive at the rest centre, but that's what we're planning for at the moment."
Other main developments include:Other main developments include:
  • Water levels in the River Severn at Gloucester are running at a height of 34ft (10.4m). Flood defences are 35ft (10.7m). Flood water levels are now said to be at the same level as the 1947 floods.
  • Water levels in the River Severn at Gloucester are running at a height of 34ft (10.4m). Flood defences are 35ft (10.7m). Flood water levels are now said to be at the same level as the 1947 floods.
  • Environment Agency chief executive Baroness Young told the BBC that about £1bn a year was needed to improve flood defences.
  • Environment Agency chief executive Baroness Young told the BBC that about £1bn a year was needed to improve flood defences.
  • Environment Secretary Hilary Benn defended the government's flood response, saying conditions were "unprecedented".
  • Environment Secretary Hilary Benn defended the government's flood response, saying conditions were "unprecedented".
  • Parts of Worcestershire are under 6ft (1.82m) of water and up to 4,000 people in and around Bromyard in Herefordshire are without water after a treatment works near Worcester was flooded.
  • Parts of Worcestershire are under 6ft (1.82m) of water and up to 4,000 people in and around Bromyard in Herefordshire are without water after a treatment works near Worcester was flooded.
  • Meanwhile, the Association of British Insurers has said the total bill for the June and July floods could reach £2bn.
  • Meanwhile, the Association of British Insurers has said the total bill for the June and July floods could reach £2bn.
    • The Environment Agency has issued five severe flood warnings in the Midlands, for the River Avon and River Severn between Evesham, Tewkesbury and Gloucester.The Environment Agency has issued five severe flood warnings in the Midlands, for the River Avon and River Severn between Evesham, Tewkesbury and Gloucester.
    Clive Guest returned to devastation in his flood-hit homeIn picturesClive Guest returned to devastation in his flood-hit homeIn pictures
    Three severe flood warnings are in place for Oxfordshire, from Eynsham to Abingdon.Three severe flood warnings are in place for Oxfordshire, from Eynsham to Abingdon.
    The government has refused to comment on a leaked draft of its Housing Green Paper, due to be released on Monday.The government has refused to comment on a leaked draft of its Housing Green Paper, due to be released on Monday.
    The document, which was obtained by the BBC, says it is "not realistic" to rule out new developments in areas at risk of flooding.The document, which was obtained by the BBC, says it is "not realistic" to rule out new developments in areas at risk of flooding.
    Despite the heightened risk of flooding to central and southern England, the Met Office does not have any severe weather warnings in place.Despite the heightened risk of flooding to central and southern England, the Met Office does not have any severe weather warnings in place.
    BBC forecaster Chris Fawkes the heaviest rain was due to fall in southern England in an area between the Isle of Wight and Suffolk, where an inch of rain could fall on Monday. BBC forecaster Chris Fawkes said the heaviest rain was due to fall in southern England in an area between the Isle of Wight and Suffolk, where an inch of rain could fall on Monday.
    He also said Gloucestershire and Worcestershire could see 10 or 15 millimetres of rainfall.He also said Gloucestershire and Worcestershire could see 10 or 15 millimetres of rainfall.
    Environment Agency floodline: 0845 988 1188Environment Agency floodline: 0845 988 1188
    Have you been affected by the lack of clean water supplies in your area? The BBC would like to hear about your experiences. Please use the form below to send us your details or you can text us on 61124.Have you been affected by the lack of clean water supplies in your area? The BBC would like to hear about your experiences. Please use the form below to send us your details or you can text us on 61124.
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