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Further UK flood warnings as heavy rainfall forecast UK weather: Further flood warnings as heavy rain forecast
(about 2 hours later)
Forecasters are warning of more heavy rain across parts of the UK, bringing further risk of flooding to some areas left struggling by recent storms.Forecasters are warning of more heavy rain across parts of the UK, bringing further risk of flooding to some areas left struggling by recent storms.
The Met Office has issued an amber warning for rain in south-west England on Sunday between 06:00 GMT and 14:00. The Met Office issued an amber warning for rain in south-west England, from 06:00 GMT until 14:00 on Sunday.
Rain and strong winds are also forecast for parts of the South East, Northern Ireland, Wales and much of Scotland. Heavy rain is also forecast for Northern Ireland, Wales and southern England, along with high winds in much of Scotland and Northern Ireland.
On Saturday, storms battered the Midlands region, with buildings struck by lightning and trees uprooted. It comes after storms hit the Midlands, with buildings struck by lightning.
The Environment Agency has 10 flood warnings in place for the south east and south west of England, meaning flooding is expected and immediate action is required. The Environment Agency has 10 flood warnings for southern England - the majority in western parts - indicating flooding is expected and immediate action is required.
More than 100 flood alerts - meaning flooding is possible - have also been issued, more than half of them in the South East. More than 110 flood alerts - meaning flooding is possible - have also been issued, with more than half of them in the South East.
The Met Office said Sunday's amber warning meant areas of the Somerset Levels that are currently under water should "be prepared for further flooding". The Met Office said heavy rain would spread on Sunday and parts of the Somerset Levels, which are already under water, should "be prepared for further flooding".
It said between 10 and 20mm of rain was expected to fall on saturated ground on Sunday. It said between 10 and 20mm (0.5-1in) of rain was expected to fall on saturated ground on Sunday.
It has yellow warnings - the lowest of its three alert levels - in place for wind, snow and ice for most of Scotland. The Met Office also has yellow warnings - the lowest of its three alert levels - in place for wind, snow and ice for most of Scotland. There is also a warning of ice and snow warnings for northern England.
Ice and snow warnings are also in place for northern England, while people in Northern Ireland are warned to expect rain and high winds. Some of the weather warnings continue into Monday.
The higher-level amber warning is for rain in south-west England, and yellow rain warnings are in place for London and the South East and south Wales. Travel warning
On Friday, Somerset County Council declared the situation there a "major incident" and asked the armed forces to consider helping villagers who had been cut off.On Friday, Somerset County Council declared the situation there a "major incident" and asked the armed forces to consider helping villagers who had been cut off.
The council warned that precautions to stop damage to property and risk to life "need to be taken now".
Deputy chief executive Pat Flaherty added: "Our priority has to be to keep people safe."
Sedgemoor District Council also declared a major incident on the Somerset Levels.
'Need more pumps'
The "biggest pumping operation ever" is continuing there, but much of the water has been going into already swollen rivers.The "biggest pumping operation ever" is continuing there, but much of the water has been going into already swollen rivers.
James Winslade, who runs Yeo Farm near Taunton, said he had found his land under water for a second year running.
"We've been banging on to the [Environment] Agency to clean the rivers out," he said.
"First and foremost we need more pumps. I was shouting out for them a week before Christmas, but the agency said no."
The Environment Agency said it has 62 pumps operating non-stop in the Somerset Levels to drain an estimated 65 million cubic metres of water off an area spanning about 25 square miles.The Environment Agency said it has 62 pumps operating non-stop in the Somerset Levels to drain an estimated 65 million cubic metres of water off an area spanning about 25 square miles.
Flood risk manager Katherine Evans said: "The country has faced an extraordinary combination of weather conditions over the last six weeks.
"Our thoughts go out to those communities that have, and in some places continue to, experience flooding."
Since 1 January, 569 flood warnings and 30 severe flood warnings have been issued.Since 1 January, 569 flood warnings and 30 severe flood warnings have been issued.
In other developments: The poor weather is affecting travel in some parts:
Some of the Met Office weather warnings continue into Monday.