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| UK weather: Ice, rain and fears of more flooding | UK weather: Ice, rain and fears of more flooding |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| More ice and rain is expected to hit the UK today as temperatures plummet to around freezing and communities in the south west continue to tackle flooding. | More ice and rain is expected to hit the UK today as temperatures plummet to around freezing and communities in the south west continue to tackle flooding. |
| The counties of Hampshire, Dorset and Somerset remain at risk of flooding as another day of rain hits the regions. | The counties of Hampshire, Dorset and Somerset remain at risk of flooding as another day of rain hits the regions. |
| Parts of Scotland and the far north of England could see sleet and some snow later today. The Met Office has also issued yellow 'be aware' warnings for Grampian, Central, Tayside and Fife. | Parts of Scotland and the far north of England could see sleet and some snow later today. The Met Office has also issued yellow 'be aware' warnings for Grampian, Central, Tayside and Fife. |
| Temperatures could fall to around freezing resulting in a risk of icy stretches on roads and the potential for travel disruption, it added. | Temperatures could fall to around freezing resulting in a risk of icy stretches on roads and the potential for travel disruption, it added. |
| The Environment Agency has issued 141 flood alerts and 14 flood warnings - which mean immediate action is required - in the south west, two in the south east and one in the north east. | The Environment Agency has issued 141 flood alerts and 14 flood warnings - which mean immediate action is required - in the south west, two in the south east and one in the north east. |
| Yesterday, residents in Chobham, Surrey, told BBC News a storm which swept across Kent, Sussex and Surrey whipped up a tornado so powerful that it “shattered” buildings and "lifted" feral cats off the ground. | Yesterday, residents in Chobham, Surrey, told BBC News a storm which swept across Kent, Sussex and Surrey whipped up a tornado so powerful that it “shattered” buildings and "lifted" feral cats off the ground. |
| Meanwhile, Somerset County Council has declared a “major incident” for all areas affected by flooding in the county. | Meanwhile, Somerset County Council has declared a “major incident” for all areas affected by flooding in the county. |
| Environment Secretary Owen Paterson visited the Somerset Levels today, where boats are now the only method of transport between some villages, which residents have dubbed “islands”. | Environment Secretary Owen Paterson visited the Somerset Levels today, where boats are now the only method of transport between some villages, which residents have dubbed “islands”. |
| Mr Paterson told angered residents a new plan to deal with a flood-hit area of south-west England will be drawn up within six weeks. | Mr Paterson told angered residents a new plan to deal with a flood-hit area of south-west England will be drawn up within six weeks. |
| On a visit to Somerset Mr Paterson acknowledged that there was legitimate anger felt among politicians, farmers and residents on the Somerset Levels, who have claimed the lack of dredging of local rivers by the Environment Agency has exacerbated the problems they have faced. | On a visit to Somerset Mr Paterson acknowledged that there was legitimate anger felt among politicians, farmers and residents on the Somerset Levels, who have claimed the lack of dredging of local rivers by the Environment Agency has exacerbated the problems they have faced. |
| Mr Paterson said the Environment Agency and local councils would produce a new plan, which would "almost certainly" involve a project to clear the Parrett and Tone rivers. | Mr Paterson said the Environment Agency and local councils would produce a new plan, which would "almost certainly" involve a project to clear the Parrett and Tone rivers. |
| He told Sky News: "They are quite right to be angry, it's absolutely legitimate and that's how our political system works and that's why the two local MPs have brought this to my attention, that's why I convened the meeting of the experts last night, that's why I led the meeting this morning with the local councils and that's why I hope we will have a very clear action plan presented to me in six weeks time so that I can make a categoric decision once and for all." | |
| Many communities are still coming to terms with the flooding that hit Somerset at the beginning of January and now face further problems. | Many communities are still coming to terms with the flooding that hit Somerset at the beginning of January and now face further problems. |
| Somerset County Council deputy chief executive Pat Flaherty said: "Our priority has to be to keep people safe. | Somerset County Council deputy chief executive Pat Flaherty said: "Our priority has to be to keep people safe. |
| "We are doing everything we can to do this and we believe that declaring a major incident shows just how urgent the situation is for many of our residents and communities. | "We are doing everything we can to do this and we believe that declaring a major incident shows just how urgent the situation is for many of our residents and communities. |
| "The reason we are taking this action is the long-term nature of the issues we are facing and to enable a consistent approach to the way that we deal with them." | "The reason we are taking this action is the long-term nature of the issues we are facing and to enable a consistent approach to the way that we deal with them." |
| Additional reporting by Press Association In pictures: Severe weather batters UK | Additional reporting by Press Association In pictures: Severe weather batters UK |