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Last weather warnings expire - but flood risk remains | Last weather warnings expire - but flood risk remains |
(about 20 hours later) | |
The last of many weather warnings issued by the Met Office since before Christmas has expired - but flood waters could still rise in some areas. | The last of many weather warnings issued by the Met Office since before Christmas has expired - but flood waters could still rise in some areas. |
A rain warning for much of Wales and south-west England ended at 09:00 GMT, and no more warnings have been issued. | A rain warning for much of Wales and south-west England ended at 09:00 GMT, and no more warnings have been issued. |
However, almost 100 flood warnings are still in place in England, along with four in Scotland and one in Wales. | However, almost 100 flood warnings are still in place in England, along with four in Scotland and one in Wales. |
The government's Cobra emergency committee is due to meet to discuss the response to the recent storms. | The government's Cobra emergency committee is due to meet to discuss the response to the recent storms. |
It comes as forecasters predict possible snow in northern and eastern parts of the UK next week. | It comes as forecasters predict possible snow in northern and eastern parts of the UK next week. |
BBC Weather's Emma Boorman said cooler temperatures would set in from Thursday, becoming colder over the weekend. | BBC Weather's Emma Boorman said cooler temperatures would set in from Thursday, becoming colder over the weekend. |
"There is a snow risk for the north and east [of the UK], but not immediately," she said. | "There is a snow risk for the north and east [of the UK], but not immediately," she said. |
Meanwhile, the Environment Agency said water was still draining into rivers, meaning some would continue to rise. | Meanwhile, the Environment Agency said water was still draining into rivers, meaning some would continue to rise. |
An Environment Agency spokesperson said on Wednesday that the impact of the rainfall would continue for "several days" despite the forecast of drier weather. | An Environment Agency spokesperson said on Wednesday that the impact of the rainfall would continue for "several days" despite the forecast of drier weather. |
"It will not just have an immediate impact over the next few days - it's going to take a long time to drain away," she said. | "It will not just have an immediate impact over the next few days - it's going to take a long time to drain away," she said. |
The Met Office yellow warning - the lowest of three levels - which expired at 09:00 GMT covered southern and central Wales, the South West of England and some western parts of the Midlands. | The Met Office yellow warning - the lowest of three levels - which expired at 09:00 GMT covered southern and central Wales, the South West of England and some western parts of the Midlands. |
Many of the flood warnings now in force, which are mostly in the south of England, are for the River Thames. | Many of the flood warnings now in force, which are mostly in the south of England, are for the River Thames. |
A band of heavy rain swept across south-west England and into Wales and other parts of western England on Wednesday, falling on already saturated ground. | A band of heavy rain swept across south-west England and into Wales and other parts of western England on Wednesday, falling on already saturated ground. |
In Oxfordshire, a cyclist, believed to be 73 years old, died after falling into floodwater - the eighth person confirmed dead in flooding and weather-related incidents since severe weather began before Christmas. | In Oxfordshire, a cyclist, believed to be 73 years old, died after falling into floodwater - the eighth person confirmed dead in flooding and weather-related incidents since severe weather began before Christmas. |
On Monday, Environment Secretary Owen Paterson said 1,700 homes and businesses in England had been flooded. At that time 140 properties in Wales were also known to have flooded. | On Monday, Environment Secretary Owen Paterson said 1,700 homes and businesses in England had been flooded. At that time 140 properties in Wales were also known to have flooded. |
More rain has fallen in many areas since then, but new figures for the number of properties affected have not been released. | More rain has fallen in many areas since then, but new figures for the number of properties affected have not been released. |
Speaking at the first Prime Minister's Questions of 2014 on Wednesday, David Cameron said the Cobra emergency committee would continue holding meetings "until the threat has passed". | Speaking at the first Prime Minister's Questions of 2014 on Wednesday, David Cameron said the Cobra emergency committee would continue holding meetings "until the threat has passed". |