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UK floods: Homes evacuated as swollen Thames keeps rising UK floods: Homes evacuated as swollen Thames keeps rising
(35 minutes later)
Flooded homes along the River Thames are being evacuated and thousands more are at risk, with water levels expected to keep rising for the next 24 hours.Flooded homes along the River Thames are being evacuated and thousands more are at risk, with water levels expected to keep rising for the next 24 hours.
Residents in one Berkshire village say the scenes are from a "horror movie".Residents in one Berkshire village say the scenes are from a "horror movie".
Fourteen severe flood warnings are in place in Berkshire and Surrey, while two remain in Somerset.Fourteen severe flood warnings are in place in Berkshire and Surrey, while two remain in Somerset.
PM David Cameron, who is in flood-hit south-west England, said it was not the time to change personnel amid criticism of Environment Agency head Lord Smith.PM David Cameron, who is in flood-hit south-west England, said it was not the time to change personnel amid criticism of Environment Agency head Lord Smith.
Homes, shops and businesses in the Berkshire village of Datchet are underwater and hundreds more along the lower River Thames, as far as Shepperton, are under threat, the Environment Agency says.Homes, shops and businesses in the Berkshire village of Datchet are underwater and hundreds more along the lower River Thames, as far as Shepperton, are under threat, the Environment Agency says.
Several Thames gauges are showing their highest levels since being installed in the 1980s and 90s.Several Thames gauges are showing their highest levels since being installed in the 1980s and 90s.
Fire crews, who have been rescuing people from their homes in Staines-upon-Thames, say they have never known waters so deep or a flood rescue operation on this scale.Fire crews, who have been rescuing people from their homes in Staines-upon-Thames, say they have never known waters so deep or a flood rescue operation on this scale.
In Windsor, Councillor Colin Rayner pleaded for help from the police and Army.In Windsor, Councillor Colin Rayner pleaded for help from the police and Army.
"We've got 50 volunteers here, we've got the vulnerable people out of their homes, now we need to get everyone else out," he said"We've got 50 volunteers here, we've got the vulnerable people out of their homes, now we need to get everyone else out," he said
Nearby, in the Berkshire village of Colnbrook, resident Asif Khan said his whole street was under water, his house was flooded and his fridge "just went bang".Nearby, in the Berkshire village of Colnbrook, resident Asif Khan said his whole street was under water, his house was flooded and his fridge "just went bang".
"It's something out of a horror movie," he said, adding that he was now about to try to evacuate with his two small children."It's something out of a horror movie," he said, adding that he was now about to try to evacuate with his two small children.
Hurst village resident Paul Palmer said sewers there were blocked and they have been unable to use the toilet since Friday.Hurst village resident Paul Palmer said sewers there were blocked and they have been unable to use the toilet since Friday.
"It's starting to back up into the toilet - it's like going back to the dark ages," he told the BBC."It's starting to back up into the toilet - it's like going back to the dark ages," he told the BBC.
Major incidentMajor incident
Thames Valley Police have declared a "major incident" in east Berkshire.Thames Valley Police have declared a "major incident" in east Berkshire.
Howard Davidson, from the Environment Agency, said he expected conditions in the county to deteriorate as more rain fell over the coming days.Howard Davidson, from the Environment Agency, said he expected conditions in the county to deteriorate as more rain fell over the coming days.
"We have issued flood warnings from Datchet down to Shepperton, and we urge people to take heed of the flood warnings. We are anticipating another three or four inches on the Thames over the next 24 hours.""We have issued flood warnings from Datchet down to Shepperton, and we urge people to take heed of the flood warnings. We are anticipating another three or four inches on the Thames over the next 24 hours."
The Environment Agency said it had never issued as many severe flood warnings and that many areas had seen more than double their average rainfall.The Environment Agency said it had never issued as many severe flood warnings and that many areas had seen more than double their average rainfall.
Railway lines have also been badly affected with passengers facing severe delays. The latest developments include:Railway lines have also been badly affected with passengers facing severe delays. The latest developments include:
Among other developments:Among other developments:
Saturated landSaturated land
Network Rail says it is concerned about 400 to 500 railway sites. Normally, at this time of year, it would be about a dozen.Network Rail says it is concerned about 400 to 500 railway sites. Normally, at this time of year, it would be about a dozen.
It is also warning that problems on the rail network could last for some months.It is also warning that problems on the rail network could last for some months.
Robin Gisby, managing director of Network Rail, said: "What I think is really significant, and it has got worse overnight, is Oxford down to the Thames Valley through Didcot, Reading, Maidenhead and into Paddington.
"This isn't now just flooding, this is groundwater. The land is so saturated we have got water rising up, just as much as flowing on to it. So it is difficult."
More than 300 less serious warnings and alerts have been issued by the Environment Agency, mostly in southern England and the Midlands.More than 300 less serious warnings and alerts have been issued by the Environment Agency, mostly in southern England and the Midlands.
The Met Office said that between 40 and 70mm of rain was expected across South West England and South Wales between now and the end of Friday. BBC Weather forecaster Steve Cleaton said rain and strong winds were expected to hit areas already affected by flooding on Tuesday.
There could be up to 90mm in Dartmoor and the Brecon Beacons, it said. It is expected to start raining on the Somerset Levels at between 2am and 3am, with 10-20mm falling widely and as much as 30mm in some areas.
Strong winds that could cause damage and disruption are expected across parts of the South West on Wednesday, it also warns. The band of rain is due to approach the Severn basin by dawn on Tuesday and the Thames areas around the time of the morning rush hour.
Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has been answering an urgent question put by Labour in the Commons on the flooding crisis. Wednesday will bring wintery showers, gale force winds and heavy rain in parts of south and west England, Mr Cleaton said, with gusts of over 70mph expected in Devon and Cornwall.
Communities Secretary Eric Pickles answered an urgent question put by Labour in the Commons on the flooding crisis.
Mr Pickles, who is standing in for Environment Secretary Owen Paterson, told MPs that there was a "high risk that the Thames, the Severn and the Wye will flood in the middle of the week".Mr Pickles, who is standing in for Environment Secretary Owen Paterson, told MPs that there was a "high risk that the Thames, the Severn and the Wye will flood in the middle of the week".
But he said extra efforts were being made to deal with the problem.But he said extra efforts were being made to deal with the problem.
He also denied making "even the slightest criticism of the work of the Environment Agency", amid a row over his suggestion last week that ministers had been given bad advice by the agency over river dredging.He also denied making "even the slightest criticism of the work of the Environment Agency", amid a row over his suggestion last week that ministers had been given bad advice by the agency over river dredging.
Speaking from Portland, off the Dorset coast, Mr Cameron said: "I am only interested in one thing and that is making sure that everything government can do is being done and will go on being done to help people through this difficult time."Speaking from Portland, off the Dorset coast, Mr Cameron said: "I am only interested in one thing and that is making sure that everything government can do is being done and will go on being done to help people through this difficult time."
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