This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-26111598
The article has changed 27 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| UK floods: Severe flood warnings issued for Thames | UK floods: Severe flood warnings issued for Thames |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Fourteen severe flood warnings have been issued along the River Thames in Berkshire and Surrey amid concern that people and property are at risk. | Fourteen severe flood warnings have been issued along the River Thames in Berkshire and Surrey amid concern that people and property are at risk. |
| The Environment Agency is also warning of rising water in the Somerset Levels, and there are flood fears in Worcester. | The Environment Agency is also warning of rising water in the Somerset Levels, and there are flood fears in Worcester. |
| Earlier, the communities secretary said ministers may have relied too much on the agency's advice and it had been a "mistake" not to dredge the Levels. | Earlier, the communities secretary said ministers may have relied too much on the agency's advice and it had been a "mistake" not to dredge the Levels. |
| But the agency said its "immediate priority" was to protect people. | But the agency said its "immediate priority" was to protect people. |
| Two severe flood warnings remain in place in Somerset. | Two severe flood warnings remain in place in Somerset. |
| Communities Secretary Eric Pickles, who has now been put in charge of the government's flood defence, said: "We perhaps relied too much on the Environment Agency's advice... I think we recognise now that we should have dredged. | Communities Secretary Eric Pickles, who has now been put in charge of the government's flood defence, said: "We perhaps relied too much on the Environment Agency's advice... I think we recognise now that we should have dredged. |
| "I apologise unreservedly and I'm really sorry that we took the advice, we thought we were dealing with experts." | "I apologise unreservedly and I'm really sorry that we took the advice, we thought we were dealing with experts." |
| But as the agency increased the number of severe warnings from two to 16, it said: "The Environment Agency's immediate priority is to protect people and property in the face of this extreme period of weather... | But as the agency increased the number of severe warnings from two to 16, it said: "The Environment Agency's immediate priority is to protect people and property in the face of this extreme period of weather... |
| "Until the danger to people and property has passed, we are putting all our energy and focus into this vital work which is recognised by government." | "Until the danger to people and property has passed, we are putting all our energy and focus into this vital work which is recognised by government." |
| It said the 14 severe "risk to life" warnings along the Thames in Berkshire and Surrey between Datchet and Shepperton Green were being issued because "river levels will continue to rise for at least 24 hours... | It said the 14 severe "risk to life" warnings along the Thames in Berkshire and Surrey between Datchet and Shepperton Green were being issued because "river levels will continue to rise for at least 24 hours... |
| "Widespread property flooding is expected in the area and disruption to local infrastructure is possible." | "Widespread property flooding is expected in the area and disruption to local infrastructure is possible." |
| It also has more than 160 lesser flood warnings, the majority in the South East, the East, the Midlands and South West. | |
| BBC News correspondent Ben Ando in Datchet said the Thames appeared to be rising and its levels were already higher than in 2003 when the area last experienced flooding. | BBC News correspondent Ben Ando in Datchet said the Thames appeared to be rising and its levels were already higher than in 2003 when the area last experienced flooding. |
| Bridge closed | Bridge closed |
| The main rail route into Devon and Cornwall remains cut off by problems caused by flooding and storm damage, but a line from Somerset to Exeter closed by a landslip at Crewkerne on Saturday has reopened. | |
| In other developments: | In other developments: |
| Recent rainfall in the Somserset Levels has meant water levels have increased by about a quarter of an inch (0.6cm) an hour in the village of Burrowbridge. | Recent rainfall in the Somserset Levels has meant water levels have increased by about a quarter of an inch (0.6cm) an hour in the village of Burrowbridge. |
| The Met Office says the wind and rain will ease into Monday, though falling temperatures will mean some wintry showers. | The Met Office says the wind and rain will ease into Monday, though falling temperatures will mean some wintry showers. |
| But forecasters say there is "no real end in sight" to the bad weather, with another area of low pressure reaching the UK on Monday night and into Tuesday, bringing more heavy rain. | But forecasters say there is "no real end in sight" to the bad weather, with another area of low pressure reaching the UK on Monday night and into Tuesday, bringing more heavy rain. |
| Tuesday could see as much as 30mm (1in) fall in Wales and the south-west of England, with more heavy rain expected on Wednesday and Thursday. | Tuesday could see as much as 30mm (1in) fall in Wales and the south-west of England, with more heavy rain expected on Wednesday and Thursday. |
| 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. |
| Read the terms and conditions | Read the terms and conditions |