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| Heavy rain and strong winds cross UK | Heavy rain and strong winds cross UK |
| (about 1 month later) | |
| Householders in flood-prone areas, motorists and rail passengers were enduring yet another day of misery as a band of heavy rain – plus 70mph winds – travelled across the UK. | Householders in flood-prone areas, motorists and rail passengers were enduring yet another day of misery as a band of heavy rain – plus 70mph winds – travelled across the UK. |
| In south-west England, the worst hit area over the last few days, workers were stabilising a historic Devon canal after one side of it collapsed, allowing water to pour into neighbouring fields. Twenty households were evacuated. | In south-west England, the worst hit area over the last few days, workers were stabilising a historic Devon canal after one side of it collapsed, allowing water to pour into neighbouring fields. Twenty households were evacuated. |
| Experts from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution were dispatched to Bridgwater amid fears that parts of the Somerset Levels could be badly hit by the combination of torrential rain over the last few days falling on sodden ground, and a high tide. | Experts from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution were dispatched to Bridgwater amid fears that parts of the Somerset Levels could be badly hit by the combination of torrential rain over the last few days falling on sodden ground, and a high tide. |
| The Met Office issued severe weather warnings for Thursday covering much of England, Scotland and Wales. A spokeswoman, Helen Chivers, said a band of heavy rain was slowly moving south-east from Northern Ireland. Heavy rain by lunchtime on Thursday was predicted for Wales, northern England, the Scottish borders and the south-west of England. | The Met Office issued severe weather warnings for Thursday covering much of England, Scotland and Wales. A spokeswoman, Helen Chivers, said a band of heavy rain was slowly moving south-east from Northern Ireland. Heavy rain by lunchtime on Thursday was predicted for Wales, northern England, the Scottish borders and the south-west of England. |
| Chivers said up to 40mm (1.6in) of rain could fall within a couple of hours in some places. Winds of up to 70mph had already been recorded along the Welsh coast, gusts strong enough to bring down trees. | Chivers said up to 40mm (1.6in) of rain could fall within a couple of hours in some places. Winds of up to 70mph had already been recorded along the Welsh coast, gusts strong enough to bring down trees. |
| By rush hour on Thursday, the worst of the weather should be seen in Devon, the West Midlands, Manchester and northern England. The rain should arrive well after dusk in south-east England and East Anglia. | By rush hour on Thursday, the worst of the weather should be seen in Devon, the West Midlands, Manchester and northern England. The rain should arrive well after dusk in south-east England and East Anglia. |
| Among the worst-hit areas this week has been the south-west with more than 60mm of rain falling between the early hours of Wednesday and noon. Schools have been shut, main roads flooded and motorists trapped in cars. | Among the worst-hit areas this week has been the south-west with more than 60mm of rain falling between the early hours of Wednesday and noon. Schools have been shut, main roads flooded and motorists trapped in cars. |
| One of the most dramatic incidents came when the 200-year-old Great Western canal burst a bank at Halberton, reulting in water pouring into farmers' fields. Amid concerns that the other side of the canal could break down and flood homes, people were evacuated and some looked after in a rest centre set up at a village hall. | One of the most dramatic incidents came when the 200-year-old Great Western canal burst a bank at Halberton, reulting in water pouring into farmers' fields. Amid concerns that the other side of the canal could break down and flood homes, people were evacuated and some looked after in a rest centre set up at a village hall. |
| By 10am Thursday the number of flood warnings — meaning flooding is expected — issued by the Environment Agency for England and Wales had reached 90. Fifty were in the south-west, 29 in the Midlands, 10 in the Anglian region and one in the south-east. In addition there were 143 flood alerts — meaning flooding is possible. | By 10am Thursday the number of flood warnings — meaning flooding is expected — issued by the Environment Agency for England and Wales had reached 90. Fifty were in the south-west, 29 in the Midlands, 10 in the Anglian region and one in the south-east. In addition there were 143 flood alerts — meaning flooding is possible. |
| On Wednesday, firefighters had to wade through water to reach a woman when she went into labour in the Chew valley in Somerset. They got her into an ambulance and she was taken safely to hospital in Bath. In Devon a fire crew had to go the aid of two people who had become stuck when they tried to rescue stranded cattle. | On Wednesday, firefighters had to wade through water to reach a woman when she went into labour in the Chew valley in Somerset. They got her into an ambulance and she was taken safely to hospital in Bath. In Devon a fire crew had to go the aid of two people who had become stuck when they tried to rescue stranded cattle. |
| Travel disruption continued into Thursday with First Great Western saying there were "severe delays" to some services into and out of the south-west of England. There were more minor delays to cross-Channel ferries. | Travel disruption continued into Thursday with First Great Western saying there were "severe delays" to some services into and out of the south-west of England. There were more minor delays to cross-Channel ferries. |
| Environment Agency teams worked overnight battling against the rising water. Alison Baptiste, Environment Agency flood risk manager, said: "We also ask that people stay safe, by staying away swollen rivers and not attempting to drive through floodwater. | Environment Agency teams worked overnight battling against the rising water. Alison Baptiste, Environment Agency flood risk manager, said: "We also ask that people stay safe, by staying away swollen rivers and not attempting to drive through floodwater. |
| "Environment Agency teams have been mobilised across the country to check on flood defences, clear any river blockages and closely monitor river levels. These teams work around the clock to reduce the risk of flooding, and will be out in force over the coming days." | "Environment Agency teams have been mobilised across the country to check on flood defences, clear any river blockages and closely monitor river levels. These teams work around the clock to reduce the risk of flooding, and will be out in force over the coming days." |
| There is likely to be a mixed bag of weather for the rest of the week and the weekend. There should be sunny spells for most on Friday and Saturday is predicted to start brightly enough. But another weather front, this one heading in from the south-west, is likely to make Saturday afternoon soggy. | There is likely to be a mixed bag of weather for the rest of the week and the weekend. There should be sunny spells for most on Friday and Saturday is predicted to start brightly enough. But another weather front, this one heading in from the south-west, is likely to make Saturday afternoon soggy. |
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