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Two dead after flooding accident Two dead after flooding accident
(10 minutes later)
Two people have died in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, after they tried to pump water from a flooded rugby club.Two people have died in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, after they tried to pump water from a flooded rugby club.
It is thought the two, who were using a petrol-powered pump, may have been overcome by fumes.It is thought the two, who were using a petrol-powered pump, may have been overcome by fumes.
Meanwhile, more than 340,000 people in flood-hit Gloucestershire remain without water as health and sanitation fears persist.Meanwhile, more than 340,000 people in flood-hit Gloucestershire remain without water as health and sanitation fears persist.
Severn Trent Water says the army will now be responsible for refilling mobile street dispensers, or bowsers.Severn Trent Water says the army will now be responsible for refilling mobile street dispensers, or bowsers.
The firm - which says it could take two weeks to restore tap water to some homes - hopes to restore water to 10,000 Tewkesbury homes from Thursday.The firm - which says it could take two weeks to restore tap water to some homes - hopes to restore water to 10,000 Tewkesbury homes from Thursday.
Meanwhile, fears of more flooding along the River Thames in Oxfordshire and Berkshire have eased after levels appear to have stabilised overnight.Meanwhile, fears of more flooding along the River Thames in Oxfordshire and Berkshire have eased after levels appear to have stabilised overnight.
In Gloucester, water bosses have been trying to get fresh supplies to people who have been left without tap water after a treatment plant flooded.In Gloucester, water bosses have been trying to get fresh supplies to people who have been left without tap water after a treatment plant flooded.
Severn Trent Water has been trying to pump water into affected areas of the county of Gloucestershire after residents said that street dispensers - or bowsers - were running dry. Severn Trent Water has been trying to pump water into affected areas of the county of Gloucestershire after residents said bowsers were running dry.
A Severn Trent Water spokeswoman said bowsers were "emptying faster than we can fill them".A Severn Trent Water spokeswoman said bowsers were "emptying faster than we can fill them".
"The army is giving us assistance and with their logistical experience and military operation, we should hopefully see an improvement," she added."The army is giving us assistance and with their logistical experience and military operation, we should hopefully see an improvement," she added.
See map of severe flood warnings See map of severe flood warnings
Earlier, director David Wickens said 34 tankers had been used overnight to fill tankers, a job which was proving problematical.Earlier, director David Wickens said 34 tankers had been used overnight to fill tankers, a job which was proving problematical.
PM Gordon Brown said water supply needed to be stepped up Temporary water supply for town Coping with flood waters PM Gordon Brown said water supply needed to be stepped up Temporary supply for town Coping with flood waters
"The tankers that are available are large articulated tankers and it's difficult to navigate around small streets to refill them," he told BBC News."The tankers that are available are large articulated tankers and it's difficult to navigate around small streets to refill them," he told BBC News.
"The second problem we've experienced has been the number of drivers that are qualified to drive tanker lorries of this nature.""The second problem we've experienced has been the number of drivers that are qualified to drive tanker lorries of this nature."
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.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.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.
BBC weather forecasters said flood-hit areas are expecting about 10mm (0.4in) to 15mm (0.6in) of rain on Thursday.BBC weather forecasters said flood-hit areas are expecting about 10mm (0.4in) to 15mm (0.6in) of rain on Thursday.
June was the wettest on record in the UK, with July heading the same way.June was the wettest on record in the UK, with July heading the same way.
'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 experiencesHAVE 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
Prime Minister Gordon 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.Prime Minister Gordon 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.
In Oxford, a fire brigade spokeswoman said floods had begun to subside. River water levels in the city are said to have fallen about 10.2cm (4in) overnight.In Oxford, a fire brigade spokeswoman said floods had begun to subside. River water levels in the city are said to have fallen about 10.2cm (4in) overnight.
And predicted peaks forecast for the Thames around Reading and Caversham at midnight, never arrived.And predicted peaks forecast for the Thames around Reading and Caversham at midnight, never arrived.
Meanwhile, growers have warned that British-grown potatoes could be in short supply because of floods.Meanwhile, growers have warned that British-grown potatoes could be in short supply because of floods.
The main issue is that so much of our soil is completely saturated and we can't get the harvesting machinery into the fields Christine TaconCo-operative Farms Flooding starts to subside Homes escape predicted floodingThe main issue is that so much of our soil is completely saturated and we can't get the harvesting machinery into the fields Christine TaconCo-operative Farms Flooding starts to subside Homes escape predicted flooding
Tyrrells crisps founder William Chase said up to 60% of his 700 acres of potato crops in Herefordshire and Gloucestershire could be lost because of the weather.Tyrrells crisps founder William Chase said up to 60% of his 700 acres of potato crops in Herefordshire and Gloucestershire could be lost because of the weather.
Christine Tacon, general manager of Co-operative Farms, told BBC News that, as well as the floods, general wet weather was affecting many of its farms from Aberdeenshire to Hampshire.Christine Tacon, general manager of Co-operative Farms, told BBC News that, as well as the floods, general wet weather was affecting many of its farms from Aberdeenshire to Hampshire.
She said: "The main issue is that so much of our soil is completely saturated and we can't get the harvesting machinery into the fields.She said: "The main issue is that so much of our soil is completely saturated and we can't get the harvesting machinery into the fields.
"When we do, particularly where we're trying to harvest our peas, they are sinking up to the top of the wheels in the soil.""When we do, particularly where we're trying to harvest our peas, they are sinking up to the top of the wheels in the soil."
The Environment Agency has three severe flood warnings in place two on the Thames around Oxford, and one on the Ock, near Abingdon, Oxfordshire.The Environment Agency has three severe flood warnings in place two on the Thames around Oxford, and one on the Ock, near Abingdon, Oxfordshire.
In Tewkesbury, police have said Mitchell Taylor, 19, who has not been seen since leaving a bar in the town at the height of the floods on Saturday, was still missing.In Tewkesbury, police have said Mitchell Taylor, 19, who has not been seen since leaving a bar in the town at the height of the floods on Saturday, was still missing.
Environment Agency floodline: 0845 988 1188Environment Agency floodline: 0845 988 1188
SEVERE FLOOD WARNINGS IN PLACE 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 Thames: Severe warnings affecting Eynsham to Sandford Lock and also Little WittenhamThe Ock: Severe warnings from Charney Bassett to Abingdon
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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 videoYou 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
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