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St Asaph: Woman's body found inside flooded home | St Asaph: Woman's body found inside flooded home |
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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 River Elwy flooded about 100 homes in St Asaph after rising above 14ft (4.3m) compared with its usual 3-6ft. | |
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. |
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: |
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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 183 flood warnings in force - which say flooding is expected and immediate action is required. | |
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 "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. |
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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Have you been affected by flooding? Have your travel plans been disrupted? If you are willing to be interviewed by the BBC please fill in the form below. | Have you been affected by flooding? Have your travel plans been disrupted? If you are willing to be interviewed by the BBC please fill in the form below. |
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