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High tides and winds threaten more flooding Flooding: 'Everything possible being done', says Owen Paterson
(about 1 hour later)
High tides and gale force winds could bring more flooding to parts of the Midlands and south-west England, the Environment Agency has warned. Environment Secretary Owen Paterson says "everything possible" is being done to help those affected by flooding - as more bad weather is expected to bring further problems on Sunday.
It has three severe flood warnings - meaning a danger to life - on the Severn estuary near Gloucester.
Lesser warnings affect many parts of Britain including western Wales and areas of south-west England, including the flood-hit Somerset Levels.
About 150 properties in the Midlands, South West and South East have flooded.About 150 properties in the Midlands, South West and South East have flooded.
Following a meeting of the government's emergency committee, Cobra, Environment Secretary Owen Paterson said: "Everything possible is being done over the weekend to help those affected by flooding and to prepare for the further bad weather and high tides forecast overnight and into next week." The Environment Agency has three severe flood warnings, meaning danger to life, on the Severn estuary, near Gloucester.
BBC Weather's Laura Gilchrist said gales peaked in the south-west of England in mid-afternoon, where there were gusts of up to 70mph (112km/h). BBC Weather's Alex Deakin warned of "a very high tide" on Sunday morning, with the risk of coastal flooding remaining.
The gales are easing down but working their way to the north of the country, she said, where gusts could reach up to 60mph (96km/h). But he said that, overall, things had improved.
Sunday should offer "somewhat of a respite" with a much drier day across the country, she added. Sunday offered something of a respite with winds continuing to ease down and some sunshine around, he added.
There are a further 150 flood warnings and nearly 300 flood alerts across the rest of England and Wales and four flood warnings and 14 flood alerts in Scotland. Bus rescue
Kate Marks, the Environment Agency's flood risk manager, said: "A low pressure system combining with high tides brings a risk of coastal flooding to many parts of England. There were more high winds on Saturday night with a gust of up to 84mph recorded in north-west Wales.
In Newgale, Pembrokeshire, 10 people were rescued after the bus they were travelling in was hit by a large wave on the seafront and surrounded by water. No injuries were reported.
Following a meeting of the government's emergency committee, Cobra, on Saturday afternoon, Environment Secretary Owen Paterson said: "Everything possible is being done over the weekend to help those affected by flooding and to prepare for the further bad weather and high tides forecast overnight and into next week."
There are a further 150 flood warnings and nearly 300 flood alerts across the rest of England and Wales, and one flood warning - in Whitesands, Dumfries and Galloway - and 14 flood alerts in Scotland.
Kate Marks, the Environment Agency's (EA) flood risk manager, said: "A low pressure system combining with high tides brings a risk of coastal flooding to many parts of England.
"The risk is highest for south-west England, although many coastal areas will be affected and the public should stay away from coastlines and tidal areas and not drive through flood-water."The risk is highest for south-west England, although many coastal areas will be affected and the public should stay away from coastlines and tidal areas and not drive through flood-water.
"At the same time the risk of river flooding continues for the southern counties as with the ground already saturated, rivers are very responsive to rainfall. Groundwater levels also remain high in southern counties.""At the same time the risk of river flooding continues for the southern counties as with the ground already saturated, rivers are very responsive to rainfall. Groundwater levels also remain high in southern counties."
The Environment Agency (EA) said gales and waves could combine to cause possible overtopping of flood defences and sea walls, property flooding and travel disruption.
Around the country on Saturday:Around the country on Saturday:
While the government and the Environment Agency have been criticised by MPs and local councils in Somerset, the agency said it was now running pumps 24 hours a day to drain the huge amounts of water that have made it a miserable start to the year for people living on the Somerset Levels. While the government and the EA have been criticised by MPs and local councils in Somerset, the agency said it was now running pumps 24 hours a day to drain the huge amounts of water that have made it a miserable start to the year for people living on the Somerset Levels.
Personnel from all three branches of the armed forces are currently on stand-by to help villages cut off by the floods.Personnel from all three branches of the armed forces are currently on stand-by to help villages cut off by the floods.
But the EA has said dredging of rivers in Somerset would not begin until flood-water had drained and river banks were safe.But the EA has said dredging of rivers in Somerset would not begin until flood-water had drained and river banks were safe.
The latest warnings come after the wettest January on record for parts of southern England.The latest warnings come after the wettest January on record for parts of southern England.
Up to and including 28 January, 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.Up to and including 28 January, 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.
Are you in the South West or coastal areas? Have you been affected by flooding? You can share your experiences and pictures with us by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject heading High Tide. When sending us pictures, video or eyewitness accounts at no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. Are you in coastal areas? Have you been affected by flooding? You can share your experiences and pictures with us by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject heading High Tide. When sending us pictures, video or eyewitness accounts at no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
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