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Flood fears heightened by new downpours Flood fears heightened by new downpours
(35 minutes later)
Rain has returned to south-west England, bringing a renewed flood risk to areas already saturated by heavy downpours.Rain has returned to south-west England, bringing a renewed flood risk to areas already saturated by heavy downpours.
Forecasters predict the rain will sweep across England and Wales to Scotland, where it could be heavy and prolonged.Forecasters predict the rain will sweep across England and Wales to Scotland, where it could be heavy and prolonged.
There is major disruption to trains in south-west England.There is major disruption to trains in south-west England.
Operator First Great Western is advising customers not to attempt to travel west of Taunton in either direction.Operator First Great Western is advising customers not to attempt to travel west of Taunton in either direction.
It says trains are unable to operate between Tiverton Parkway Station and Exeter St Davids, and between Exeter St Davids and Newton Abbot.It says trains are unable to operate between Tiverton Parkway Station and Exeter St Davids, and between Exeter St Davids and Newton Abbot.
Services from London Paddington towards Exeter and the West of England are terminating at Tiverton, with limited road transport continuing to Newton Abbot via Exeter St Davids.Services from London Paddington towards Exeter and the West of England are terminating at Tiverton, with limited road transport continuing to Newton Abbot via Exeter St Davids.
Services from Penzance and Plymouth, towards Bristol Temple Meads and London Paddington, are terminating at Newton Abbot, again with limited road transport on to Tiverton via Exeter.Services from Penzance and Plymouth, towards Bristol Temple Meads and London Paddington, are terminating at Newton Abbot, again with limited road transport on to Tiverton via Exeter.
It says the road replacement service is limited "as this is being hampered by flooded roads and only a reduced number of vehicles being available".It says the road replacement service is limited "as this is being hampered by flooded roads and only a reduced number of vehicles being available".
The closed section of line is not expected to reopen until Friday. Operators CrossCountry and East Midlands Trains are also affected. The closed section of line is not expected to reopen until Friday.
There are delays to journeys between London and south Wales, with a diversion to avoid flooding at Swindon adding about 45 minutes to travel times.
One passenger at Exeter station told BBC News: "I'm just trying to get home for Christmas - last-minute journey home and this is the start of the journey - it's not gone too well so far.One passenger at Exeter station told BBC News: "I'm just trying to get home for Christmas - last-minute journey home and this is the start of the journey - it's not gone too well so far.
"I've got to get a bus in 10 minutes to Tiverton and then try to get to London Paddington and eventually down back to Kent, where I'm from.""I've got to get a bus in 10 minutes to Tiverton and then try to get to London Paddington and eventually down back to Kent, where I'm from."
There are delays to journeys between London and south Wales, with a diversion to avoid flooding at Swindon adding about 45 minutes to travel times.
'Not welcome news''Not welcome news'
BBC forecaster Laura Gilchrist said: "The ground in many places is already saturated, and any rain will not help situations of flooding."
The Environment Agency has issued about 130 flood warnings and more than 240 flood alerts for all regions in England and in Wales, with most in place across the Midlands and south-west England.The Environment Agency has issued about 130 flood warnings and more than 240 flood alerts for all regions in England and in Wales, with most in place across the Midlands and south-west England.
In Scotland, 19 flood warnings are in place affecting Aberdeenshire, Caithness and Sutherland, Dundee and Angus, Tayside and the Borders.In Scotland, 19 flood warnings are in place affecting Aberdeenshire, Caithness and Sutherland, Dundee and Angus, Tayside and the Borders.
David Rooke, the agency's head of flood and coastal risk management, urged people not to enter floodwater.David Rooke, the agency's head of flood and coastal risk management, urged people not to enter floodwater.
"Time and again we're seeing cars being swept away and people in all sorts of difficulties," he said."Time and again we're seeing cars being swept away and people in all sorts of difficulties," he said.
"It only needs 2ft of water to float the car away. And it only needs 6in of fast flowing water to knock you off your feet.""It only needs 2ft of water to float the car away. And it only needs 6in of fast flowing water to knock you off your feet."
BBC forecaster Laura Gilchrist said the fresh band of rain was not "welcome news" for flood-hit areas of the UK.
"The ground in many places is already saturated, and any rain will not help situations of flooding," she said.
Up to 30mm of rain is expected on Monday in south-west England, where some 26 of the flood warnings are in place. There are 70 flood warnings in place for the Midlands.Up to 30mm of rain is expected on Monday in south-west England, where some 26 of the flood warnings are in place. There are 70 flood warnings in place for the Midlands.
On Sunday, up to 100 homes were evacuated in Stonehaven, near Aberdeen, after the River Carron burst its banks and affected a number of streets in the centre of the town. Residents said water levels were waist-high. The Environment Agency has removed the severe flood warning for the River Cober at Helston in Cornwall.
In Stoke Canon, near Exeter, 30 properties have flooded, with at least 20 residents being moved to safety, after the River Exe burst its banks. Helston's mayor Jonathan Radford-Gaby welcomed the warning being downgraded: "It's a great relief to all of us that the emergency warning has been downgraded, but we do have a number of saturated fields coming in to Helston so... we have our fingers crossed and hope we can look forward to Christmas."
The BBC News website has been contacted by Stonehaven resident Athol Innes, who is currently working out in China and has learned via the internet that flooding has devastated his home.
"It's still to hit me really," he wrote. "[I'm] worried as I have no accommodation to go home to. My house is in a terrible condition with the water and mud. The whole house, including the garden, is just ruined."
UK flooding minister Richard Benyon said on Sunday: "It's terrible to have your home or business flooded at any time of year, but for the families affected it's especially distressing for it to happen during the Christmas season.
"It's crucial people continue to be vigilant by keeping a close eye on the Environment Agency's flood warnings and allowing the emergency services to do their work."
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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

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
Temperature tab onlyTemperature tab only

Temperature (°C)

More details from BBC Weather

Temperature (°C)

More details from BBC Weather
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Are you in south-west England or parts of Wales and Scotland affected by flooding? If you are willing to be interviewed on BBC TV and radio about your experiences please fill in the form below.Are you in south-west England or parts of Wales and Scotland affected by flooding? If you are willing to be interviewed on BBC TV and radio about your experiences please fill in the form below.
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