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| 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 and more rain is expected later in the week. | Two severe flood warnings remain in place in Somerset and more rain is expected later in the week. |
| The prime minister, who chaired a meeting of the government's Cobra emergency committee, said: "As we continue to face these extraordinary weather events, I have made clear again... that every resource is available to the local communities affected. | |
| "We will keep providing whatever immediate practical support and assistance is needed, whether that is extra pumps and sandbags; military support on the ground; emergency funds from the new £7m severe weather assistance fund for local councils." | |
| Communities Secretary Eric Pickles, who is in charge of the government's flood defence, said the government had relied too much on the Environment Agency's advice and the flood-hit Somerset Levels should have been dredged. | Communities Secretary Eric Pickles, who is in charge of the government's flood defence, said the government had relied too much on the Environment Agency's advice and the flood-hit Somerset Levels should have been 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 it was putting all its energy and focus into protecting people and property until the danger has passed. | But as the agency increased the number of severe warnings from two to 16, it said it was putting all its energy and focus into protecting people and property until the danger has passed. |
| It said the 14 severe "risk to life" warnings along the Thames in Berkshire and Surrey between Datchet and Shepperton Green were issued because river levels would continue to rise for at least 24 hours and homes were expected to flood. | It said the 14 severe "risk to life" warnings along the Thames in Berkshire and Surrey between Datchet and Shepperton Green were issued because river levels would continue to rise for at least 24 hours and homes were expected to flood. |
| It also has more than 160 lesser flood warnings, the majority in the South East, the East, the Midlands and South West. | 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. |
| Armed forces are in the area building a 2ft-high (60cm) defence to try to divert the river away from homes. | Armed forces are in the area building a 2ft-high (60cm) defence to try to divert the river away from homes. |
| Tina McFarlane, 70, from the Buckinghamshire town of Marlow, which borders the Thames, said she was confined to the upstairs of her house and was without electricity. | Tina McFarlane, 70, from the Buckinghamshire town of Marlow, which borders the Thames, said she was confined to the upstairs of her house and was without electricity. |
| "I can't get out of the house as the water is too deep for my waders, and it's getting dangerous," she told the BBC. | "I can't get out of the house as the water is too deep for my waders, and it's getting dangerous," she told the BBC. |
| "It's not only the Somerset Levels that are suffering. We're feeling very isolated, no one is giving us any information." | "It's not only the Somerset Levels that are suffering. We're feeling very isolated, no one is giving us any information." |
| Surrey Police says up to 2,500 properties in the county may be at risk and is urging residents to co-operate with the emergency services and take precautions to protect themselves and their properties. | |
| Bridge closed | Bridge closed |
| Recent rainfall in the Somerset 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 Somerset Levels has meant water levels have increased by about a quarter of an inch (0.6cm) an hour in the village of Burrowbridge. |
| 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. | 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: |
| 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 another area of low pressure is expected to reach the UK on Monday night and into Tuesday, bringing more heavy rain. | |
| Tuesday could see as much as 30mm (1in) fall in the south-west of England and Wales, with more heavy rain expected on Wednesday and Thursday. | Tuesday could see as much as 30mm (1in) fall in the south-west of England and Wales, with more heavy rain expected on Wednesday and Thursday. |
| BBC Weather forecaster Helen Willetts said there was an indication from the long range satellite maps that there could be longer spells of dry weather in the south of England towards the end of the month. | |
| 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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