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Christmas floods prompt Cobra emergency meeting 'Exceptional weather' with rain, wind and high tides to hit UK
(35 minutes later)
Environment Secretary Owen Paterson will chair a meeting of the Cobra emergency committee later to discuss the UK's response to floods. A period of "exceptional weather" with rain, wind and high tides is set to hit the UK, Environment Secretary Owen Paterson has said.
The meeting will bring together agencies responsible for dealing with the flooding which has affected many areas over Christmas and new year. He was speaking after chairing a meeting of the Cobra emergency committee, in which different agencies discussed the UK's response to floods.
Dozens of flood warnings are in place in England, Wales and Scotland.Dozens of flood warnings are in place in England, Wales and Scotland.
The Environment Agency has also warned of possible tidal flooding in the south and west of England later this week.The Environment Agency has also warned of possible tidal flooding in the south and west of England later this week.
Mr Paterson said he had chaired meetings throughout Wednesday to ensure the Environment Agency and local councils "are on the ground and offering all possible support to their communities". Mr Paterson said the coast would be dangerous.
He said ministers were working to ensure all agencies were "absolutely prepared for the bad weather."
Cobra, named after Cabinet Office Briefing Room A in Whitehall, brings together ministers, civil servants and others such as the police and Environment Agency - depending on the nature of the emergency it is responding to.
Mr Paterson chaired meetings throughout Wednesday to ensure the Environment Agency and local councils "are on the ground and offering all possible support to their communities".
"We remain in touch with local councils in at-risk areas," he said."We remain in touch with local councils in at-risk areas," he said.
"With a number of flood alerts for Thursday, including several areas which have previously been flooded, I urge everyone in affected areas to sign up to Environment Agency flood warnings and follow the advice issued.""With a number of flood alerts for Thursday, including several areas which have previously been flooded, I urge everyone in affected areas to sign up to Environment Agency flood warnings and follow the advice issued."
Cobra, named after Cabinet Office Briefing Room A in Whitehall, brings together ministers, civil servants and others such as the police and Environment Agency - depending on the nature of the emergency it is responding to.
Thousands of homes have suffered power cuts due to the recent storms, with some cut off for several days, while numerous properties and roads have been flooded.Thousands of homes have suffered power cuts due to the recent storms, with some cut off for several days, while numerous properties and roads have been flooded.
Many of the flood warnings on Wednesday - and those issued for Thursday - were in the south west, where Devon and Cornwall Police appealed for people not to enter the sea during the bad weather. Many of the flood warnings on Wednesday - and those issued for Thursday - were in south west England, where Devon and Cornwall Police appealed for people not to enter the sea during the bad weather.
Flooding disrupted a number of train services on Thursday morning, with no services running between Teddington, south-west London, and Shepperton in Surrey.Flooding disrupted a number of train services on Thursday morning, with no services running between Teddington, south-west London, and Shepperton in Surrey.
There was also disruption between Fareham and Southampton Central/Eastleigh in Hampshire, because of flooding at Hedge End and Botley.There was also disruption between Fareham and Southampton Central/Eastleigh in Hampshire, because of flooding at Hedge End and Botley.
In Wales, the River Towy in Carmarthen burst its banks after continuing heavy rain.In Wales, the River Towy in Carmarthen burst its banks after continuing heavy rain.
A woman drowned in the sea near Croyde, north Devon, on Tuesday. It is believed she had been swimming or surfing.A woman drowned in the sea near Croyde, north Devon, on Tuesday. It is believed she had been swimming or surfing.
And the search for a 27-year-old man washed out to sea near Porthleven, Cornwall, in the early hours of New Year's Day was called off after a body was found on the beach.And the search for a 27-year-old man washed out to sea near Porthleven, Cornwall, in the early hours of New Year's Day was called off after a body was found on the beach.
Rescue teams have also been searching for:Rescue teams have also been searching for:
Severe flooding hit several Devon villages on Wednesday and six people - including a baby - were rescued from cars in three separate incidents in Fenny Bridges, Ford Bridge and Avonwick.Severe flooding hit several Devon villages on Wednesday and six people - including a baby - were rescued from cars in three separate incidents in Fenny Bridges, Ford Bridge and Avonwick.
Coastal flood riskCoastal flood risk
The Environment Agency said storms expected from Friday to Sunday had the potential to be "a significant weather event".The Environment Agency said storms expected from Friday to Sunday had the potential to be "a significant weather event".
Strong winds and large waves were expected to coincide with high tides, it said.Strong winds and large waves were expected to coincide with high tides, it said.
Craig Woolhouse, from the agency's head of flood management, said flooding could affect "some coastal properties and communities".Craig Woolhouse, from the agency's head of flood management, said flooding could affect "some coastal properties and communities".
"Coastal paths and promenades could be highly dangerous as there is an increased risk of being swept out to sea," he added."Coastal paths and promenades could be highly dangerous as there is an increased risk of being swept out to sea," he added.
"People are warned to stay away from the shoreline.""People are warned to stay away from the shoreline."
The Met Office has issued yellow warnings - the lowest of its three levels - for rain and high winds on Friday in Northern Ireland and western parts of Scotland, Wales and England.The Met Office has issued yellow warnings - the lowest of its three levels - for rain and high winds on Friday in Northern Ireland and western parts of Scotland, Wales and England.
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