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Band of heavy rain sweeps across England and Wales Band of heavy rain sweeps across England and Wales
(about 5 hours later)
Another band of heavy rain has hit large parts of the UK, bringing a further risk of flooding. Another band of heavy rain has hit large parts of the UK, adding to flooding problems in many areas.
Rain swept across south-west England and into Wales and western England through the afternoon, falling on already saturated ground.Rain swept across south-west England and into Wales and western England through the afternoon, falling on already saturated ground.
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 Oxfordshire, a cyclist, believed to have been in his 70s, died after falling into floodwater. In Oxfordshire, a cyclist, believed to be 73 years old, died after falling into floodwater.
The man died in hospital after getting into difficulty at Wytham Woods, Thames Valley Police said.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.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. So far, eight people have died in the UK in incidents related to the weather and flooding.
More than 1,700 homes and businesses in England have been flooded, at least 550 of them since the start of the new year, while at least 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" of flooding 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 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". Speaking at the first Prime Minister's Questions of 2014, David Cameron said he would ensure 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.
"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 also said there would be Cobra emergency committee meetings "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 families cut off over the Christmas period. He said Energy Secretary Ed Davey was looking at the response of the energy companies and the compensation on offer amid criticism they were too slow to reconnect families cut off over the Christmas period.
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. 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 pose a flooding risk.
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. The Environment Agency said it had deployed temporary defences in Osney, near Oxford, Purley and Guildford, and was 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 the impact of the bad weather would continue for "several days" because water was still draining into rivers.
"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," 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 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 100 flood warnings for England and Wales, with the South East and South West most likely to be flooded. About 100 flood warnings remain in place in England, while there are seven in Scotland and just one in Wales. None of these are "severe".
In Scotland, seven flood warnings have been issued by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, though none is rated severe.
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. Further heavy bursts were possible for the next 24 hours, he added.
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