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Flood crisis grows as rivers rise Flood crisis grows as rivers rise
(30 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 running water by Monday evening, as the Severn and Thames rivers threaten to overflow.
The Environment Agency said water levels on both rivers have exceeded those of devastating floods in 1947. The Environment Agency said water levels on both rivers had 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.
See map of severe flood warnings See map of severe flood warnings
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.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. At their height, some rivers will be more than 20ft higher than normal.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.
Environment Agency spokesman Anthony Perry said: "We have not seen flooding of this magnitude before. The benchmark was 1947 and this has already exceeded it."
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.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.
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 Secretary Hilary Benn told the House of Commons the emergency was "far from over" and further flooding was "very likely". An independent person would head the flood review announced by the prime minister, he confirmed.
  • 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 Agency chief executive Baroness Young told the BBC that about £1bn a year was needed to improve flood defences.
  • Meanwhile, the Association of British Insurers has said the total bill for the June and July floods could reach £2bn.
    		•
  • The Association of British Insurers has said the total bill for the June and July floods could reach £2bn.
  • 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 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.
  • More than one hundred Royal Navy personnel have been sent to Gloucestershire to help the worst affected areas.
    • Severn Trent Water warned all residents in Gloucester, Cheltenham and Tewkesbury - an estimated 350,000 people - would lose their supply by Monday evening due to a treatment works being flooded.
    The situation is expected to last several days, it said.The situation is expected to last several days, it said.
    No electricityNo electricity
    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, GloucestershireGloucestershire 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 are still without power after a major electricity substation at Castlemeads 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.
    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.
    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.
    Richard Myers, a butcher in the town and a volunteer for Mercia Inshore Search and Rescue Service, said he had been rescuing people from bedroom windows.
    "This is the worst I've ever known it," he said.
    ENGLAND FLOODED Gloucester tap water out Severe warning on Ouse Worcester residents affected More fears for Oxfordshire West Midlands travel chaos Clean-up in LincolnshireENGLAND 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.
    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 has rejected 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 eight 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. 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 There are four in the Midlands for the River Avon and River Severn between Worcester, Tewkesbury and Gloucester.
    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. 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 the River Great Ouse from Turvey to Sharnbrook in Bedfordshire.
    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.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.
    Gloucestershire and Worcestershire could see 10 or 15 millimetres of rainfall, forecasters said.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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