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UK sees further flooding amid storms and high tides UK sees further flooding amid storms and high tides
(about 1 hour later)
High tides and strong winds have brought flooding to south-west England as officials warn of a continuing threat across the west of the UK.High tides and strong winds have brought flooding to south-west England as officials warn of a continuing threat across the west of the UK.
The Environment Agency has issued 16 severe flood warnings - which mean "danger to life" - affecting south-west England, Gloucestershire and Wales. There are currently 13 severe flood warnings - meaning "danger to life" - affecting south-west England, Gloucestershire and Wales.
It comes as the River Severn burst its banks at Minsterworth, in Gloucestershire. A tidal surge is due in Scotland, while in Wales, people are trapped in homes.
The Met Office has warned of rain and wind in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Meanwhile, the Environment Agency has confirmed jobs in flood protection will be cut as part of a major restructure.
Environment Secretary Owen Paterson, who previously warned that "exceptional weather" would hit the UK on Friday and over the weekend, is due to chair the government's emergencies committee Cobra to discuss the weather situation. About 1,500 jobs are to be lost at the agency although it is not clear how many flood-related posts will go.
A Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs spokesman said that while they were spending £2.3bn tackling the risk of flooding and coastal erosion, the agency was making its own choices about "how best to use their resources".
'Cobra meeting'
The agency has issued more than 400 lower-level flood alerts and warnings across England and Wales.
And the Met Office has warned of rain and wind in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Environment Secretary Owen Paterson is chairing the government's emergencies committee Cobra to discuss the weather situation.
Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted: "I'm ensuring that all is being done to help with the floods. There'll be a Cobra meeting shortly and regular updates from @EnvAgency."Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted: "I'm ensuring that all is being done to help with the floods. There'll be a Cobra meeting shortly and regular updates from @EnvAgency."
Many of the severe flood warnings relate to the coasts of Devon and Cornwall, the River Severn in Gloucestershire and south and west Wales Many of the severe flood warnings relate to the coasts of Devon and Cornwall, the River Severn in Gloucestershire and the south and west Wales coasts.
Waves more than 30ft (10m) high are expected to hit Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly later, with many areas already experiencing high tides and flooding in streets, and a "major incident" has been declared by local authorities. Tom Mansell, RNLI divisional operations manager and flood rescue team leader, said that despite flooding in places like Looe, Kingsbridge and Salcombe, the situation so far had been "better than expected".
But Tom Mansell, RNLI divisional operations manager and flood rescue team leader, said that despite flooding in places like Looe, Kingsbridge and Salcombe, the situation so far had been "better than expected".
Mr Mansell said two crews arrived in Taunton, Somerset, at midnight and had been on standby in the Barnstaple area of Devon since 3am.
"This is coastal flooding that we are expecting," he said. "Such areas are reasonably used to this but the danger is really where people are going down to have a look."This is coastal flooding that we are expecting," he said. "Such areas are reasonably used to this but the danger is really where people are going down to have a look.
"They don't understand how dangerous the sea can be.""They don't understand how dangerous the sea can be."
In other developments:In other developments:
The Environment Agency and Coastguard have asked people to stay away from coastal areas due to the risk of being swept out to sea.The Environment Agency and Coastguard have asked people to stay away from coastal areas due to the risk of being swept out to sea.
Some travel is disrupted on Friday, including:Some travel is disrupted on Friday, including:
Most airports and train companies are not currently warning passengers of expected disruption.Most airports and train companies are not currently warning passengers of expected disruption.
Numerous roads have been flooded in recent days and the AA said on Thursday that it had been to 1,500 call-outs from stranded drivers since 23 December.Numerous roads have been flooded in recent days and the AA said on Thursday that it had been to 1,500 call-outs from stranded drivers since 23 December.
Thousands of homes have suffered power cuts due to the recent storms, with some cut off for several days, while many properties have been flooded. Thousands of homes have suffered power cuts due to the recent storms, with some cut off for several days, while many properties have been flooded following bad weather during the Christmas period.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
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