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/6916774.stm
The article has changed 20 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Fears remain as water levels ease | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Fears of more flooding along the River Thames in Oxfordshire and Berkshire have eased after water levels appear to have stabilised overnight. | |
| But, in Gloucestershire, more than 340,000 people remain without water supplies and there are fears about sanitation and health. | |
| Severn Trent Water will try to pump water in from other areas. | |
| BBC weather forecasters said flood-hit areas are expecting about 10mm (0.4in) to 15mm (0.6in) of rain on Thursday. | |
| A fire brigade spokeswoman said floods in Oxford have begun to subside. | |
| Predicted peaks forecast for the Thames around Reading and Caversham at midnight, never arrived. | |
| In Gloucester, water bosses are trying to get fresh supplies to people who have been left without tap water after a treatment plant flooded. | |
| See map of severe flood warnings | See map of severe flood warnings |
| Severn Trent Water, which says it could take two weeks to restore tap water, is trying to pump water to the area after residents said that mobile street dispensers - or bowsers - were running dry. | Severn Trent Water, which says it could take two weeks to restore tap water, is trying to pump water to the area after residents said that mobile street dispensers - or bowsers - were running dry. |
| Oxford was fearing more flooding misery Floods: At-a-glance Nurses to make up lost time | |
| It hopes to use a temporary solution to restore water supply to 10,000 homes in Tewkesbury from Thursday. | It hopes to use a temporary solution to restore water supply to 10,000 homes in Tewkesbury from Thursday. |
| But it has asked the government for urgent help in providing clean supplies to the Gloucester area. | But it has asked the government for urgent help in providing clean supplies to the Gloucester area. |
| The Health Protection Agency says the risk of contracting any illness is generally low but people are advised to avoid coming into direct contact with floodwater. | |
| There is a small risk that people may contract a stomach bug if they come into contact with contaminated water, especially where there has been mixing with sewage, it says. | |
| 'Great efforts' | 'Great efforts' |
| Gloucestershire's Chief Constable Tim Brain said there had been instances of people "behaving most selfishly", using "very large receptacles" to empty bowsers and trying to resell water at inflated prices. | Gloucestershire's Chief Constable Tim Brain said there had been instances of people "behaving most selfishly", using "very large receptacles" to empty bowsers and trying to resell water at inflated prices. |
| HAVE YOUR SAY I having trouble getting to water as I don't drive and have three small children and I can't get to supermarkets to get bottled water Samantha, Gloucester Send us your experiences | HAVE YOUR SAY I having trouble getting to water as I don't drive and have three small children and I can't get to supermarkets to get bottled water Samantha, Gloucester Send us your experiences |
| Mr Brown, on his second visit to the region since the floods on Wednesday, said great efforts were being made to help those without water but that supply needed to be stepped up. | Mr Brown, on his second visit to the region since the floods on Wednesday, said great efforts were being made to help those without water but that supply needed to be stepped up. |
| "We will get more tankers in, we will get more bowsers in, we will get more regular filling of them, and at the same time, more bottled water will be provided," he said. | "We will get more tankers in, we will get more bowsers in, we will get more regular filling of them, and at the same time, more bottled water will be provided," he said. |
| The Environment Agency has six severe flood warnings in place - three on the Severn - in Gloucester, Tewkesbury and Worcester - two on the Thames around Oxford, and one on the Ock, near Abingdon, Oxfordshire. | The Environment Agency has six severe flood warnings in place - three on the Severn - in Gloucester, Tewkesbury and Worcester - two on the Thames around Oxford, and one on the Ock, near Abingdon, Oxfordshire. |
| Meanwhile police said Mitchell Taylor, 19, who has not been seen since leaving a bar in Tewkesbury at the height of the floods on Saturday, was still missing. | Meanwhile police said Mitchell Taylor, 19, who has not been seen since leaving a bar in Tewkesbury at the height of the floods on Saturday, was still missing. |
| Environment Agency floodline: 0845 988 1188 | Environment Agency floodline: 0845 988 1188 |
| SEVERE FLOOD WARNINGS IN PLACE The Severn: Severe warnings for Gloucester, Tewkesbury and Worcester The Thames: Severe warnings affecting Eynsham to Sandford Lock and also Little WittenhamThe Ock: Severe warnings from Charney Bassett to Abingdon | SEVERE FLOOD WARNINGS IN PLACE The Severn: Severe warnings for Gloucester, Tewkesbury and Worcester The Thames: Severe warnings affecting Eynsham to Sandford Lock and also Little WittenhamThe Ock: Severe warnings from Charney Bassett to Abingdon |
| Return | Return |
| Have you been affected by the evacuation? How are the drinking water supplies so far? The BBC would like to hear from anyone affected by the floods. Please use the form below to tell us about your experiences. | Have you been affected by the evacuation? How are the drinking water supplies so far? The BBC would like to hear from anyone affected by the floods. Please use the form below to tell us about your experiences. |
| You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial 61124.Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video | You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial 61124.Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video |