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UK floods: January rain breaks records in parts of England UK floods: January rain breaks records in parts of England
(35 minutes later)
Parts of England have had their wettest January since records began more than 100 years ago, figures show.Parts of England have had their wettest January since records began more than 100 years ago, figures show.
The Met Office said much of southern England and parts of the Midlands had already seen twice the average rainfall for January by midnight on Tuesday - with three days left in the month.The Met Office said much of southern England and parts of the Midlands had already seen twice the average rainfall for January by midnight on Tuesday - with three days left in the month.
And it is warning of more rain, as well as snow and high winds, for much of the UK in the coming days.And it is warning of more rain, as well as snow and high winds, for much of the UK in the coming days.
In Somerset, the military is preparing to help flooded areas.In Somerset, the military is preparing to help flooded areas.
Up to and including January 28, the South East and central southern England had 175.2mm (6.9in) of rainfall in January - beating the previous record of 158.2mm for the same parts of England set in 1988. Up to and including January 28, the South East and central southern England had a record 175.2mm (6.9in) of rainfall in January - beating the previous record of 158.2mm for the same parts of England set in 1988.
Across south-west England and south Wales, the 222.6 mm (8.8in) of rainfall up to midnight on Tuesday meant January 2014 was already the fifth-wettest on record.Across south-west England and south Wales, the 222.6 mm (8.8in) of rainfall up to midnight on Tuesday meant January 2014 was already the fifth-wettest on record.
On Wednesday, Environment Secretary Owen Paterson said military amphibious vehicles could be deployed to help flood victims in Somerset. Meanwhile, military planners have met with council officials in Somerset over plans to bring relief to villages cut off by recent floods.
Military planners met council officials earlier. Discussions are believed to be continuing, but military personnel have begun scouting the area to prepare to start work. It follows Environment Secretary Owen Paterson's announcement on Wednesday that military amphibious vehicles could be deployed to help flood victims there.
Speaking from the village of Muchelney in the Somerset Levels, Major Al Robinson, of the Royal Engineers, told BBC News his job was to scout the area to see what help might be possible. Discussions are thought to be continuing as military personnel begin scouting the area in preparation.
Speaking from the village of Muchelney in the Somerset Levels, Major Al Robinson of the Royal Engineers told BBC News his job was to see what help might be possible.
Asked what the Army was likely to do, he said: "It won't be our plan, it is very much the council's plan."Asked what the Army was likely to do, he said: "It won't be our plan, it is very much the council's plan."
He said his unit was ready to work "at a moment's notice" once its mission was clear.He said his unit was ready to work "at a moment's notice" once its mission was clear.
'Dithering''Dithering'
Mr Paterson will chair a meeting of Cobra, the government's emergency response committee, on Thursday. Mr Paterson is due to chair a meeting of Cobra, the government's emergency response committee, later on Thursday.
Labour's shadow environment secretary, Maria Eagle, has accused Mr Paterson of "dithering". But Labour's shadow environment secretary, Maria Eagle, has accused Mr Paterson of "dithering".
"Almost a week after Somerset County Council declared the flooding a major incident, the government has finally decided to respond," she said."Almost a week after Somerset County Council declared the flooding a major incident, the government has finally decided to respond," she said.
Roads round villages including Muchelney have been cut for almost a month and about 11,500 hectares (28,420 acres) of the Levels are flooded by about 65 million cubic metres of water.Roads round villages including Muchelney have been cut for almost a month and about 11,500 hectares (28,420 acres) of the Levels are flooded by about 65 million cubic metres of water.
Thursday has seen more settled weather, but the Environment Agency has warned that high tides, strong winds and large waves will bring a risk of coastal flooding to communities in the south west of England on Saturday.Thursday has seen more settled weather, but the Environment Agency has warned that high tides, strong winds and large waves will bring a risk of coastal flooding to communities in the south west of England on Saturday.
It has more than 30 flood warnings in place and some 160 flood alerts - the majority in southern England - with fears that heavy rain falling on already-saturated ground could cause further flooding.
The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) has also issued several flood warnings.
The Met Office has issued an amber warning - meaning be prepared - for heavy rain in south-west England, and yellow warnings - which mean be aware - for rain across much of the south of England, Northern Ireland and Wales on Friday.The Met Office has issued an amber warning - meaning be prepared - for heavy rain in south-west England, and yellow warnings - which mean be aware - for rain across much of the south of England, Northern Ireland and Wales on Friday.
It is also warning of high winds and rain for many western parts of the UK on Saturday and Sunday.It is also warning of high winds and rain for many western parts of the UK on Saturday and Sunday.
In Wales, Aberystwyth University is to evacuate student halls of residence on the seafront from 16:00 GMT on Friday in anticipation of stormy weather and high tides. In Wales, Aberystwyth University is set to evacuate student halls of residence on the seafront from 16:00 GMT on Friday in anticipation of stormy weather and high tides.
It told students to stay away "until you hear differently, which could be Monday".It told students to stay away "until you hear differently, which could be Monday".
BBC Weather presenter Nick Miller said the long-range forecast suggested there was "no prolonged dry spell in sight".BBC Weather presenter Nick Miller said the long-range forecast suggested there was "no prolonged dry spell in sight".
The Environment Agency over 30 flood warnings and alerts in place, the majority in southern England.
The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) has also issued several flood warnings.
Mild temperaturesMild temperatures
For the UK as a whole, 164.6 mm (6.5in) of rain has fallen so far this month - 35% above the long-term average.For the UK as a whole, 164.6 mm (6.5in) of rain has fallen so far this month - 35% above the long-term average.
The figures will come as no surprise to those in the country who are continuing to suffer the aftermath of severe winter floods.The figures will come as no surprise to those in the country who are continuing to suffer the aftermath of severe winter floods.
But the Met Office said it had seen a contrast from south to north across the UK, with northern Scotland having received 85% of its long-term average rainfall so far this month, compared with 200% over southern England.But the Met Office said it had seen a contrast from south to north across the UK, with northern Scotland having received 85% of its long-term average rainfall so far this month, compared with 200% over southern England.
Wet weather in winter usually means temperatures have been mild, and the UK mean temperature up to 28 January was 4.9C (41F) - 1.2C above average.Wet weather in winter usually means temperatures have been mild, and the UK mean temperature up to 28 January was 4.9C (41F) - 1.2C above average.
Met Office analysts said the whole of the UK was on target for a wetter-than-average winter.Met Office analysts said the whole of the UK was on target for a wetter-than-average winter.
The South East and central-southern England are already seeing their sixth-wettest winter since records began in 1910 and the wettest since 1995 (369.7mm of rain). The wettest winter on record was 1915, with 437.1mm of rain. The South East and central southern England are already seeing their sixth-wettest winter since records began in 1910 and the wettest since 1995 (369.7mm of rain). The wettest winter on record was 1915, with 437.1mm of rain.
The main reason for the mild and wet weather so far was a predominance of west and south-west winds, bringing in mild air from the Atlantic, the Met Office said.The main reason for the mild and wet weather so far was a predominance of west and south-west winds, bringing in mild air from the Atlantic, the Met Office said.
The BBC News Channel is providing live coverage from some of the worst-affected areas throughout the day.The BBC News Channel is providing live coverage from some of the worst-affected areas throughout the day.