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St Asaph: Woman's body found inside flooded home St Asaph: Woman's body found inside flooded home
(35 minutes later)
The body of an elderly woman has been found in a flooded home in St Asaph, north Wales, where the River Elwy has broken its banks. The body of an elderly woman has been found in a flooded home in St Asaph, north Wales, as wet weather continues to cause problems in England and Wales.
The Environment Agency says the Elwy has risen above 14ft (4.3m) - compared with its usual 3-6ft (1-2m). Water has entered about 100 homes in St Asaph. The River Elwy flooded about 100 homes in St Asaph after rising above 14ft (4.3m) compared with its usual 3-6ft.
The are fears of further flooding after heavy rain in northern England and north Wales overnight. There are two severe flood warnings - indicating danger to life - on the Elwy, and almost 200 regular flood warnings across England and Wales.
In North Yorkshire, more than 50 houses in Pickering are under threat.In North Yorkshire, more than 50 houses in Pickering are under threat.
The Met Office has issued yellow "be aware" rain warnings for North East England and Yorkshire and the Humber, suggesting "river levels are very high and further showers running into the area could exacerbate conditions locally".
"The public should therefore continue to be aware of the risk of ongoing flooding," the Met Office said.
Gloucestershire fire service has launched its hovercraft to help people at a traveller site, near the village of Sandhurst, trapped by floodwater from the River Severn.
The service earlier rescued a family of four by boat from their home in the village which was surrounded by floodwater.
Evacuations
In flooded homes in St Asaph, water levels are said to be 2-3ft (60-90cm) in places.In flooded homes in St Asaph, water levels are said to be 2-3ft (60-90cm) in places.
Some residents have been rescued by lifeboats and fire crews after becoming trapped in their homes, and a pregnant woman was brought out the window of her property by British Red Cross volunteers.Some residents have been rescued by lifeboats and fire crews after becoming trapped in their homes, and a pregnant woman was brought out the window of her property by British Red Cross volunteers.
The fire service has had 130 emergency calls in St Asaph on Tuesday, and said it could now only respond when there was a threat to life rather than to property.The fire service has had 130 emergency calls in St Asaph on Tuesday, and said it could now only respond when there was a threat to life rather than to property.
The Environment Agency said the Elwy had reached 14ft 3in (4.35m) at St Asaph - more than 3ft (1m) deeper than its previous record, and compared with a typical depth range of 3-6ft (1-2m).The Environment Agency said the Elwy had reached 14ft 3in (4.35m) at St Asaph - more than 3ft (1m) deeper than its previous record, and compared with a typical depth range of 3-6ft (1-2m).
An emergency centre has been set up at a leisure centre in St Asaph for people evacuated from their homes.An emergency centre has been set up at a leisure centre in St Asaph for people evacuated from their homes.
Inspector Mark Davies, from North Wales Police, said: "The Environment Agency tell us water levels are rising and getting worse.
"We haven't had any reports of people in severe difficulty but it has been distressing for people flooded in their own homes."
Residents have also been evacuated from their homes as the threat of flooding increases in Ruthin, 15 miles away, where Denbighshire County Council says up to 400 properties are potentially at risk.Residents have also been evacuated from their homes as the threat of flooding increases in Ruthin, 15 miles away, where Denbighshire County Council says up to 400 properties are potentially at risk.
The flooding risk is also affecting the north Wales villages of Abergele, Llanfairtalhaiarn, Llangernyw and Llansannan.The flooding risk is also affecting the north Wales villages of Abergele, Llanfairtalhaiarn, Llangernyw and Llansannan.
A spokesman for Prime Minister David Cameron said: "What we have seen in recent days is an exceptional amount of rain falling on often waterlogged ground and therefore floods happening in some cases very, very quickly.A spokesman for Prime Minister David Cameron said: "What we have seen in recent days is an exceptional amount of rain falling on often waterlogged ground and therefore floods happening in some cases very, very quickly.
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"Actually, a lot has been done to improve flood defences since 2007 and we have prioritised flood protection and are investing considerable amounts over the next few years to ensure that homes are protected properly.""Actually, a lot has been done to improve flood defences since 2007 and we have prioritised flood protection and are investing considerable amounts over the next few years to ensure that homes are protected properly."
Swathes of the country suffered flooding in 2007, causing damage estimated at £3bn.Swathes of the country suffered flooding in 2007, causing damage estimated at £3bn.
In other developments:In other developments:
  • Flooding is also continuing to affect East Coast rail routes including between Durham and York, and between Berwick-upon-Tweed and Newcastle. East Coast Trains says there is flooding on the line six miles south of Darlington
  • In Cornwall, the A39 at Perranarworthal is closed in both directions because of flooding and a poor road surface. And levels at Cornwall's largest natural lake, lake Loe Pool, are 1m above normal
  • The River Ouse in York is also being monitored, with the peak expected to be on Wednesday. The river burst its banks on Monday, affecting riverside buildings, although the situation is said to be less severe than flooding experienced in September
  • North Yorkshire County Council estimates 50 roads are closed because of flooding
  • The latest Environment Agency data shows 960 homes have suffered flooding since last Wednesday
  • Floodgates have gone up in Upton, in Worcestershire, following a £4.5m flood alleviation scheme which was completed in the summer
  • Parts of the new £45m defence scheme in Nottingham have been put into action for the first time.
Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Environment Secretary Owen Paterson denied talks had "stalled" between the government and insurers about providing affordable premiums in areas at high risk of flooding.Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Environment Secretary Owen Paterson denied talks had "stalled" between the government and insurers about providing affordable premiums in areas at high risk of flooding.
The Association of British Insurers had said discussions about extending the existing agreement that obliged insurers to provide cover while the government improved flood defences were at "crisis point".The Association of British Insurers had said discussions about extending the existing agreement that obliged insurers to provide cover while the government improved flood defences were at "crisis point".
The Environment Agency has 191 flood warnings in force - which say flooding is expected and immediate action is required - up from 185 on Monday night. The Environment Agency has 183 flood warnings in force - which say flooding is expected and immediate action is required.
There are also 228 less severe flood alerts, which indicate that people should prepare for possible flooding. There are also 227 less severe flood alerts, which indicate that people should prepare for possible flooding.
The agency said levels in the River Nene in Northamptonshire had "rise significantly". The agency said levels in the River Nene in Northamptonshire had "risen significantly".
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It warned that "large, slow responding rivers" - particularly the Thames, Trent and Severn - would continue to rise over the next few days. Officials have deployed mobile defences to protect properties in Oxford.It warned that "large, slow responding rivers" - particularly the Thames, Trent and Severn - would continue to rise over the next few days. Officials have deployed mobile defences to protect properties in Oxford.
"Groundwater levels in Winterbourne Abbas, Dorset, also continue to rise and could result in flooding of properties and the A35 trunk road," it added."Groundwater levels in Winterbourne Abbas, Dorset, also continue to rise and could result in flooding of properties and the A35 trunk road," it added.
Two flood warnings for the Scottish Borders have now been lifted by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and there are none in Northern Ireland.Two flood warnings for the Scottish Borders have now been lifted by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and there are none in Northern Ireland.
BBC Weather forecaster Philip Avery said that while the rainy conditions were easing there had been a few hours of persistent showers overnight and there was still a risk of flooding.BBC Weather forecaster Philip Avery said that while the rainy conditions were easing there had been a few hours of persistent showers overnight and there was still a risk of flooding.
The Met Office had issued a yellow "be aware" warning for heavy rain in North East England and Yorkshire and the Humber but conditions were expected to be improved in other areas, he said.
On Monday, closures, delays and safety warnings affected dozens of A-roads, while cancellations and delays also hit some national rail services.
On the roads, some of the worst-hit areas on Monday were in Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire.
To access more information, from your mobile, visit the BBC Weather and BBC Travel News sites.To access more information, from your mobile, visit the BBC Weather and BBC Travel News sites.
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  • Land
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Fog

Light Heavy

Frost

Light Heavy

Pressure Fronts

Cold Warm Occluded

Rain

Light Heavy Extreme

Snow

Light Heavy

Map Key

  • Land
  • Cloud
  • Lakes, Rivers & Sea

Fog

Light Heavy

Frost

Light Heavy

Pressure Fronts

Cold Warm Occluded

Rain

Light Heavy Extreme

Snow

Light Heavy
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