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Flood crisis grows as rivers rise Flood crisis grows as rivers rise
(40 minutes later)
The flooding crisis in central and western England continues with thousands of homes losing water and electricity supplies.The flooding crisis in central and western England continues with thousands of homes losing water and electricity supplies.
Up to 350,000 people in Gloucestershire will be left without water within the next 15 hours, as the River Severn and the Thames threaten to overflow.Up to 350,000 people in Gloucestershire will be left without water within the next 15 hours, as the River Severn and the Thames threaten to overflow.
The Environment Agency said water levels in that county have exceeded those of devastating floods in 1947. The Environment Agency said water levels on both rivers have exceeded those of devastating floods in 1947.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he would set up a review of the crisis.Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he would set up a review of the crisis.
Mr Brown flew by helicopter over Gloucestershire, the worst-affected county, before heading to the police headquarters where the emergency response is being co-ordinated.Mr Brown flew by helicopter over Gloucestershire, the worst-affected county, before heading to the police headquarters where the emergency response is being co-ordinated.
He said the government would set up a review focusing on drainage and how Britain could protect itself against further flooding.
See map of severe flood warnings See map of severe flood warnings
Extra funding would also be given to local authorities to help pay for essential emergency work in the aftermath of the crisis, he said. The review would look at drainage and flood defences, while extra funding would help pay for essential emergency work in the aftermath of the crisis, Mr Brown said.
Your pictures of UK floods Floods: At-a-glance Your stories of the floodsYour pictures of UK floods Floods: At-a-glance Your stories of the floods
The Environment Agency said water levels on the River Severn and Thames could reach a "critical" level in some areas.The Environment Agency said water levels on the River Severn and Thames could reach a "critical" level in some areas.
Severe flood warnings are in place for the Midlands, Oxfordshire and Bedfordshire. Severe flood warnings are in place for the Midlands, Oxfordshire and Bedfordshire. At their height, some rivers will be more than 20ft higher than normal.
A spokesman for the agency said the River Severn and the Thames would continue to swell until Tuesday and that levels on both rivers could increase beyond those of 60 years ago. In March 1947, millions of pounds of damage was caused in the south of England, the Midlands, East Anglia and North Yorkshire when many rivers burst their banks.
At their height, some rivers will be more than 20ft higher than normal.
In March 1947, millions of pounds of damage was caused in the south of England, the Midlands, East Anglia and North Yorkshire when many of the country's rivers burst their banks.
Other main developments include:Other main developments include:
  • 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 there are lessons to be learned but denying flood defences had not been maintained properly.
  • Environment Secretary Hilary Benn defended the government's flood response, saying there are lessons to be learned but denying flood defences had not been maintained properly.
  • 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.
  • Sir John Harman, the chairman of the Environment Agency, warned summer floods could become more frequent in the future.
  • The RAF said it is carrying out its biggest ever peacetime operation, with six Sea King helicopters rescuing up to 120 people.
  • The RAF said it is carrying out its biggest ever peacetime operation, with six Sea King helicopters rescuing up to 120 people.
    • Severn Trent Water said 150,000 homes in Gloucestershire were without water after a treatment works was flooded. Severn Trent Water warned all residents in Gloucester, Cheltenham and Tewkesbury - an estimated 350,000 people - would lose their supply within the next 15 hours due to a treatment works being flooded.
    But it warned all residents in Gloucester, Cheltenham and Tewkesbury - an estimated 350,000 people - they would lose their supply within the next 15 hours.
    The situation is expected to last several days, it said.The situation is expected to last several days, it said.
    People were being urged not to panic buy and to do all they could to conserve water.
    No electricityNo electricity
    Peter Bungard from Gloucestershire County Council told BBC Five Live bottled water was being provided and a number of water bowsers being deployed to the area, he said. Gloucestershire County Council said bottled water was being provided and a number of water bowsers being deployed to the area.Cherry Lewis sent in this picture of Lybrook, Gloucestershire
    Elsewhere in Gloucestershire, 15,000 homes were left without power after a major electricity substation was turned off because of the rising water. Elsewhere in Gloucestershire, 15,000 homes are still without power after a major electricity substation at Castlemeads was turned off because of the rising water.
    Cherry Lewis sent in this picture of Lybrook, Gloucestershire
    A spokesman for the Central Networks Castlemeads substation said areas of Gloucester, parts of Cheltenham and some homes across the county border in Herefordshire had been affected.
    The county council has appealed to builders merchants to supply "dumpy bags" - giant sandbags - to help the operation.
    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.
    ENGLAND FLOODED Gloucester tap water out Severe warning on Ouse Worcester residents affected More fears for Oxfordshire West Midlands travel chaos Clean-up in Lincolnshire
    BBC Radio Gloucestershire visited residents in Tewkesbury, one of the worst affected areas of Gloucestershire, and described a jovial mood among those cut off by flood waters.
    One resident from a block of flats whose car park was covered in water said people were "laughing" and taking events in their stride.
    Over the border, parts of Worcestershire were under 6ft of water and the Army has been deployed to help emergency services provide supplies to people in Upton-upon-Severn.Over the border, parts of Worcestershire were under 6ft of water and the Army has been deployed to help emergency services provide supplies to people in Upton-upon-Severn.
    ENGLAND FLOODED Gloucester tap water out Severe warning on Ouse Worcester residents affected More fears for Oxfordshire West Midlands travel chaos Clean-up in Lincolnshire
    The Bishop of Worcester, Dr Peter Selby, said: "It is rare for a disaster of this kind to affect so much of the country at once, and my prayers are with everyone in the affected places at this difficult time."The Bishop of Worcester, Dr Peter Selby, said: "It is rare for a disaster of this kind to affect so much of the country at once, and my prayers are with everyone in the affected places at this difficult time."
    Warwickshire and Berkshire have also been badly affected and severe warnings remain in place for Oxfordshire.Warwickshire and Berkshire have also been badly affected and severe warnings remain in place for Oxfordshire.
    HAVE YOUR SAY We must now look at proper regional controls and answers for surface water problems Ted Smith, Worcester Send us your experiences
    Residents at risk of flooding in Oxford have been told to leave their homes as water levels are expected to rise.Residents at risk of flooding in Oxford have been told to leave their homes as water levels are expected to rise.
    Some homes in Oxford, Abingdon, Kidlington and Bladon have already been flooded and conditions are expected to deteriorate.Some homes in Oxford, Abingdon, Kidlington and Bladon have already been flooded and conditions are expected to deteriorate.
    'Critical' situation'Critical' situation
    Meanwhile, the government is expected to announce on Monday that it is rejecting calls to stop building houses on flood plains, despite the recent extensive flooding. Meanwhile, the government has rejected calls to stop building houses on flood plains, despite the recent extensive flooding.
    A draft of the Housing Green Paper, which was obtained by the BBC, says it is "not realistic" to rule out new developments in areas at risk of flooding.A draft of the Housing Green Paper, which was obtained by the BBC, says it is "not realistic" to rule out new developments in areas at risk of flooding.
    The Environment Agency has issued nine severe flood warnings and says the situation is "critical".The Environment Agency has issued nine severe flood warnings and says the situation is "critical".
    There are five in the Midlands for the River Avon and River Severn between Evesham, Tewkesbury and Gloucester. There are five in the Midlands for the River Avon and River Severn between Evesham, Tewkesbury and Gloucester. HAVE YOUR SAY We must now look at proper regional controls and answers for surface water problems Ted Smith, Worcester class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=6893&edition=1&ttl=20070720094446">Send us your experiences
    Three severe flood warnings are in place for Oxfordshire, from Eynsham to Abingdon, and one has been issued for River Great Ouse from Turvey to Sharnbrook in Bedfordshire.Three severe flood warnings are in place for Oxfordshire, from Eynsham to Abingdon, and one has been issued for River Great Ouse from Turvey to Sharnbrook in Bedfordshire.
    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. The heaviest rain is 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. Gloucestershire and Worcestershire could see 10 or 15 millimetres of rainfall, forecasters said.
    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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