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UK weather: Floods expected in England and Scotland Floods: Environment Agency in dredging row
(35 minutes later)
Communities in England and Scotland have been warned to expect further flooding. The Environment Agency has been criticised as flood-hit areas in south-west England were warned that more floods could be on the way.
The Environment Agency has 14 flood warnings in place, meaning immediate action is required, with the majority in south-west England. Farmers in the Somerset Levels - which the Environment Secretary is visiting - have demonstrated against the agency for failing to dredge the rivers.
Environment Secretary Owen Paterson is visiting Somerset where a "major incident" has been declared. Local MP Ian Liddell-Grainger said the agency's reasons for not doing so were "pathetic".
He is meeting farmers and council leaders in the county - where large areas remain under water. There are currently 14 flood warnings across England, and one in Scotland.
Environment Secretary Owen Paterson is due to meet farmers and council leaders in the Somerset Levels, where a "major incident" has been declared and large areas remain under water.
Farmers in the affected area claim flooding has been prolonged by a failure to dredge rivers.
The Environment Agency currently has 13 flood warnings in place across England.
Nine of the flood warnings issued by the agency are in south-west England, where more rain is forecast over the coming days.
BBC broadcast meteorologist Sarah Keith-Lucas said: "We're expecting some more pretty heavy rain over the next 24 to 48 hours.BBC broadcast meteorologist Sarah Keith-Lucas said: "We're expecting some more pretty heavy rain over the next 24 to 48 hours.
"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."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.
"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." "Showers in southern England are of the most concern and we could see up to 25mm (1in) 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."
She said the places set to be affected include the Somerset Levels and parts of Hampshire and Dorset.She said the places set to be affected include the Somerset Levels and parts of Hampshire and Dorset.
Dredging callDredging call
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. Flood warnings in England are in place for parts of the Midlands, North East, South East and South West. There were also 139 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."
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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