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Band of heavy rain set to sweep England and Wales Band of heavy rain set to sweep England and Wales
(about 2 hours later)
Another band of heavy rain is due to hit parts of the UK on Wednesday, bringing a further risk of flooding in the coming days. Another band of heavy rain is due to hit parts of the UK on Wednesday, bringing a further risk of flooding.
The Met Office said rain sweeping in to the South West of England by midday would spread north across Wales and western England during the afternoon. The Met Office said rain that swept in to south-west England during the morning would spread north across Wales and western England in the afternoon.
More than 100 flood warnings - meaning flooding is expected - are in place in England, Scotland and Wales.More than 100 flood warnings - meaning flooding is expected - are in place in England, Scotland and Wales.
In particular, there is a risk of flooding along the Thames Valley. A cyclist, who is believed to have been in his 70s, has died after falling into floodwater in Oxfordshire.
The man died in hospital after getting into difficulty at Wytham Woods, Thames Valley Police said.
It comes just three days after another man died after falling off his mobility scooter into floodwater at Osney Island in Oxford.
So far, seven people have died and more than 1,700 homes and businesses have been flooded in England since the beginning of the Christmas period, with around 550 properties flooded since the new year. Some 140 properties have been flooded in Wales.
'Heed warning''Heed warning'
The Environment Agency warned there was a continuing risk of flooding in Dorset, south Wiltshire, parts of the Somerset Levels and areas close to the River Thames.The Environment Agency warned there was a continuing risk of flooding in Dorset, south Wiltshire, parts of the Somerset Levels and areas close to the River Thames.
Eight areas of the Thames Valley - including Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Reading, Slough and Surrey - have been assessed as at "medium risk" until Friday. Eight areas of the Thames Valley - including Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Reading, Slough and Surrey - have been assessed as at "medium risk" of flooding until Friday.
Speaking at the first Prime Minister's Questions of 2014, David Cameron said that he urged members of the public to heed warnings about staying safe in the floods. Speaking at the first Prime Minister's Questions of 2014, David Cameron said he would ensure that a report outlining the future capability of Britain's flood defences is produced by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs by the end of the month, and said that there would be Cobra emergency committee meetings "until the threat has passed".
He added: "The River Stour in Dorset has burst its banks, and, in Bournemouth and Dorset, 290 homes have flooded so far. The work of the emergency services has been excellent." "The River Stour in Dorset has burst its banks, and, in Bournemouth and Dorset, 290 homes have flooded so far. The work of the emergency services has been excellent," he added.
Mr Cameron said he would ensure that a report outlining the future capability of Britain's flood defences is produced by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs by the end of the month, and added that there would be meetings of the Cobra emergency committee "until the threat has passed". He also said that Energy Secretary Ed Davey was looking at the response of the energy companies and the compensation on offer amid criticism that they were too slow to reconnect cut-off families.
Rivers including the Hampshire Avon through Wiltshire, Hampshire and Dorset, the Stour in Dorset, the Parrett in Somerset and the Severn through the Midlands continue to rise.
The Environment Agency said it had deployed temporary defences in Osney, near Oxford, Purley and Guildford, and is on standby to deploy temporary defences along the River Severn.
Jo Winser from the Environment Agency said that the impact of the bad weather would continue "for several days".Jo Winser from the Environment Agency said that the impact of the bad weather would continue "for several days".
"We've had quite a lot of rain over the last few weeks, which is still draining from the land into the rivers," she said."We've had quite a lot of rain over the last few weeks, which is still draining from the land into the rivers," she said.
"It will take a long time for that level of water to pass into the system, so any further rainfall on already saturated ground and the rivers will respond very quickly."It will take a long time for that level of water to pass into the system, so any further rainfall on already saturated ground and the rivers will respond very quickly.
"It will not just have an immediate impact over the next few days - it's going to take a long time to drain away.""It will not just have an immediate impact over the next few days - it's going to take a long time to drain away."
A Met Office yellow warning for rain has been issued for south-west England and southern Wales.A Met Office yellow warning for rain has been issued for south-west England and southern Wales.
The warning, which came into effect at 12:00 GMT on Wednesday and will last until 09:00 on Thursday, also applies to the "western slice" of the Midlands.The warning, which came into effect at 12:00 GMT on Wednesday and will last until 09:00 on Thursday, also applies to the "western slice" of the Midlands.
The Met Office says "periods of heavy rain" in these areas could cause further flooding, especially in Wales, Somerset, Devon and Cornwall.The Met Office says "periods of heavy rain" in these areas could cause further flooding, especially in Wales, Somerset, Devon and Cornwall.
The Environment Agency has issued 101 flood warnings for England and Wales, with the South East, South West and Midlands the areas most likely to be flooded. The Environment Agency has issued 99 flood warnings for England and Wales, with the South East and South West most likely to be flooded.
Three severe - or "danger to life" - flood warnings for Dorset have all been lifted.
In Scotland, seven flood warnings have been issued by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, though none is rated severe.In Scotland, seven flood warnings have been issued by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, though none is rated severe.
Environment Secretary Owen Paterson told the BBC 86 properties in Oxford had been flooded on Tuesday, and temporary flood defences had been installed at one end of the High Street in Guildford, Surrey.
The Environment Agency said properties in several parts of Berkshire had been flooded, including Purley on Thames, Shiplake, Old Windsor, Wraysbury, Bourne End, Datchet and along the lower River Loddon.
BBC Weather forecaster Peter Gibbs said more rain was heading in from the South West, but by 17:00 GMT, it should ease off in most parts.BBC Weather forecaster Peter Gibbs said more rain was heading in from the South West, but by 17:00 GMT, it should ease off in most parts.
However, he added, the West Midlands and Wales were likely to see a lot of rain and standing water on roads making driving conditions unpleasant for evening journeys home. However, he added, the West Midlands and Wales were likely to see a lot of rain and standing water on roads making driving conditions unpleasant for evening journeys home. Further heavy bursts were possible for the next 24 hours, he added.
Further heavy bursts were possible for the next 24 hours, he added.
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