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UK weather: Ice and more floods expected UK weather: Floods expected in England and Scotland
(35 minutes later)
Temperatures are expected to plummet later with the Met Office warning the UK to prepare for icy, frozen surfaces. Communities in England and Scotland have been warned to expect further flooding.
Meanwhile, some communities in England and Scotland are being warned to expect further flooding. The Environment Agency has 14 flood warnings in place, meaning immediate action is required, with the majority in south-west England.
The Environment Agency still has 14 flood warnings in place, meaning immediate action is required, with the majority in south-west England.
Environment Secretary Owen Paterson is visiting Somerset where a "major incident" has been declared.Environment Secretary Owen Paterson is visiting Somerset where a "major incident" has been declared.
He is meeting farmers and council leaders in the county - where large areas remain under water.He is meeting farmers and council leaders in the county - where large areas remain under water.
A severe weather warning issued by the Met Office covering much of the country was due to last until 10:00 GMT on Monday morning. BBC broadcast meteorologist Sarah Keith-Lucas said: "We're expecting some more pretty heavy rain over the next 24 to 48 hours.
Forecasters said people should be aware of the potential for travel disruption as untreated surfaces freeze. "The heaviest of the rain is going to be concentrated across parts of southern England, where we really don't need it, and eastern Scotland.
Only some western and southern coastal areas are excluded from the warning. "Showers in southern England are of the most concern and we could see up to 25mm fall in 24 hours which in itself isn't a huge amount, but it is falling on saturated ground and is going to have a further impact."
BBC weather forecaster Nina Ridge said: "Our main concern as temperatures dip down fairly close to freezing will be the risk of ice. As the morning goes on there will mainly be sleet across any higher ground, rain at lower levels." She said the places set to be affected include the Somerset Levels and parts of Hampshire and Dorset.
Dredging callDredging call
Flood warnings are in place for the Midlands, North East, South East and South West. There were also 149 flood alerts - indicating flooding is possible - across every region of England. Flood warnings in England are in place for parts of the Midlands, North East, South East and South West. There were also 141 flood alerts - indicating flooding is possible - in places across England and Wales.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has advised residents at Whitesands in Dumfries and Galloway to be vigilant after water levels rose on the River Nith.
On Sunday, farmers in Somerset held a demonstration against the Environment Agency accusing them of failing to dredge the rivers, which they say has exacerbated the flooding.On Sunday, farmers in Somerset held a demonstration against the Environment Agency accusing them of failing to dredge the rivers, which they say has exacerbated the flooding.
Bridgwater and West Somerset MP Ian Liddell-Grainger told BBC Radio 4's Today programme about the River Parrett: "Once it's dredged we can then maintain it but the Environment Agency has to stop this mucking around and get on with it."Bridgwater and West Somerset MP Ian Liddell-Grainger told BBC Radio 4's Today programme about the River Parrett: "Once it's dredged we can then maintain it but the Environment Agency has to stop this mucking around and get on with it."
He dismissed as "pathetic" the Environment Agency's claims that the rain would have overwhelmed the river system even if it had dredged the waterways.He dismissed as "pathetic" the Environment Agency's claims that the rain would have overwhelmed the river system even if it had dredged the waterways.
"It is an absolutely ridiculous excuse," he said. "This never flooded to this level ever in living memory, and we've got people who have been here for a long time. If you look back into the mists of time you don't have this.""It is an absolutely ridiculous excuse," he said. "This never flooded to this level ever in living memory, and we've got people who have been here for a long time. If you look back into the mists of time you don't have this."
Prime Minister David Cameron said he thought the Environment Agency had done "excellent work" helping communities deal with flooding.Prime Minister David Cameron said he thought the Environment Agency had done "excellent work" helping communities deal with flooding.
He added: "The Environment Agency has to listen to these concerns, and you do get some quite widespread concerns that the base of rivers have risen over the years, I think they have to address those and give some clear answer."He added: "The Environment Agency has to listen to these concerns, and you do get some quite widespread concerns that the base of rivers have risen over the years, I think they have to address those and give some clear answer."
In Scotland, river levels on the Nith in Dumfries continued to rise. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency warned Whitesands residents to remain vigilant.
Motorists on the higher routes across parts of central Scotland were warned to prepare for snow and gale-force winds.
"The public should be aware of the potential for disruption to travel as well as difficult driving conditions with a risk of blizzards at times," Traffic Scotland said.
The weekend weather caused power outages in south-east England where more than 1,000 homes were left without electricity.The weekend weather caused power outages in south-east England where more than 1,000 homes were left without electricity.
A spokeswoman for UK Power Networks said by Sunday evening only "one or two single premises" were still waiting to be reconnected.A spokeswoman for UK Power Networks said by Sunday evening only "one or two single premises" were still waiting to be reconnected.
In Surrey - one of the counties hit by power cuts - eyewitnesses in Chobham reported a "mini-tornado" so strong it lifted feral cats into the air like "paper bags".In Surrey - one of the counties hit by power cuts - eyewitnesses in Chobham reported a "mini-tornado" so strong it lifted feral cats into the air like "paper bags".
There were reports of a second tornado further north in Warwickshire where some families had to seek overnight shelter at a community hall.There were reports of a second tornado further north in Warwickshire where some families had to seek overnight shelter at a community hall.
The weather caused some travel disruption in parts of the UK over the weekend.The weather caused some travel disruption in parts of the UK over the weekend.
The heaviest rainfall was in Wales, where about 22mm (0.9in) came down in 12 hours.The heaviest rainfall was in Wales, where about 22mm (0.9in) came down in 12 hours.
Arriva Trains Wales say the line between Machynlleth and Pwllhelli, remains closed until 10 February following recent flooding.Arriva Trains Wales say the line between Machynlleth and Pwllhelli, remains closed until 10 February following recent flooding.
And Southern says a recent major landslip means a very limited service is running between Horsham and Dorking - and is unlikely to open until early February.And Southern says a recent major landslip means a very limited service is running between Horsham and Dorking - and is unlikely to open until early February.
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