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UK floods: Flood-hit areas in for 'long haul', says David Cameron UK floods: PM says money 'no object' in relief effort
(35 minutes later)
More wet weather is affecting flood-stricken parts of the UK, with severe flood warnings in place along the Thames and in Somerset. The prime minister has promised that money will be no object in the flood relief effort.
Fourteen severe flood warnings are in place in Berkshire and Surrey, and two in Somerset. David Cameron warned there was no sign of the threat ending, saying: "Things could get worse before they get better."
Prime Minister David Cameron said the floods were a "huge challenge" and "we are in it for a long haul". Fourteen severe flood warnings are in place in Berkshire and Surrey, with two in Somerset.
A total of 1,600 troops are available to help, with some already deployed in parts of southern England. By the end of the day, 1,600 troops will have been deployed with thousands more available.
Mr Cameron, speaking while on a visit to Dawlish, Devon, where a stretch of railway was washed away in the floods, said: "The government will do everything it can to co-ordinate the nation's resources; if money needs to be spent it will be spent, if resources are required we will provide them, if the military can help they will be there. Mr Cameron, giving a press conference at Downing Street, said: "Money is no object in this relief effort. Whatever money is needed we will spend it."
"We must do everything, but it is going to take time to put these things right." He urged people to unite in a "great national effort" and said the UK was in it for the "long haul". Weather warnings for wind, rain and snow have been issued for Wednesday.
Mr Cameron will later hold a press conference at Downing Street. The prime minister said he was cancelling his visit to the Middle East next week to focus on the government's response to the floods, adding: "Nothing is more important than dealing with these floods."
A cabinet committee is being set up to deal with the recovery, with Mr Cameron to chair its first meeting on Thursday.
He vowed lessons would be learned, adding: "We will deal with the floods and we will build a more resilient country for the future."
The prime minister also praised Environment Agency staff, saying they "have done an extraordinarily good job".
The Met Office said it had been the wettest winter on record for south-east and central southern England since its records began in 1910.
'Unprecedented'
About 1,000 homes have been evacuated along the Thames after towns and villages including Chertsey, Wraysbury and Datchet, were flooded, with thousands more properties still at risk.About 1,000 homes have been evacuated along the Thames after towns and villages including Chertsey, Wraysbury and Datchet, were flooded, with thousands more properties still at risk.
The Environment Agency warned it was "increasingly likely" that homes along the River Severn and River Wye would also experience problems.The Environment Agency warned it was "increasingly likely" that homes along the River Severn and River Wye would also experience problems.
Chief Supt Matt Twist, of Surrey Police, said a "major incident" had been declared in the county and the flooding was "unprecedented". A total of 2,500 homes in the county are at risk of flooding, he added.Chief Supt Matt Twist, of Surrey Police, said a "major incident" had been declared in the county and the flooding was "unprecedented". A total of 2,500 homes in the county are at risk of flooding, he added.
Further evacuations are taking place in the Staines and Egham area.Further evacuations are taking place in the Staines and Egham area.
More than 5,000 properties have been flooded altogether in the last two months after the "most exceptional period of rainfall" to hit parts of England and Wales for nearly 250 years.More than 5,000 properties have been flooded altogether in the last two months after the "most exceptional period of rainfall" to hit parts of England and Wales for nearly 250 years.
In developments around the affected areas:In developments around the affected areas:
As well as there being 16 severe flood warnings the Environment Agency has also issued about 350 less serious flood warnings and alerts, mostly in southern England and the Midlands.As well as there being 16 severe flood warnings the Environment Agency has also issued about 350 less serious flood warnings and alerts, mostly in southern England and the Midlands.
The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings for almost the whole of the UK for Wednesday, with strong winds, snow and rain expected.The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings for almost the whole of the UK for Wednesday, with strong winds, snow and rain expected.
Amber wind warnings, meaning "be prepared", will be in place from 10am for parts of Wales, northern England, south-west England and the West Midlands.Amber wind warnings, meaning "be prepared", will be in place from 10am for parts of Wales, northern England, south-west England and the West Midlands.
The Met Office said: "A first peak in the winds is likely over south-west England around the middle of Wednesday, but with the main swathe of even stronger and potentially damaging winds crossing parts of Wales then northern England later in the day."The Met Office said: "A first peak in the winds is likely over south-west England around the middle of Wednesday, but with the main swathe of even stronger and potentially damaging winds crossing parts of Wales then northern England later in the day."
BBC weather forecaster Nina Ridge said the expected gales could cause further disruption on Wednesday.BBC weather forecaster Nina Ridge said the expected gales could cause further disruption on Wednesday.
"The south-westerly winds will pick up, heralding the arrival of our next intense storm system," she said. "It will be moving across the British Isles bringing more widespread rain.""The south-westerly winds will pick up, heralding the arrival of our next intense storm system," she said. "It will be moving across the British Isles bringing more widespread rain."
She said the rain would fall "where we don't need it", and would turn into snow on higher ground, making it a "pretty unpleasant day".She said the rain would fall "where we don't need it", and would turn into snow on higher ground, making it a "pretty unpleasant day".
Andrew McKenzie, a groundwater scientist at the British Geological Survey, said there had been "really spectacular rises in water levels" in its aquifers.Andrew McKenzie, a groundwater scientist at the British Geological Survey, said there had been "really spectacular rises in water levels" in its aquifers.
He told the BBC: "I think it's fair to say that certainly across much of southern Britain and certainly across much of the catchment of the River Thames aquifers are very close to being fully saturated."He told the BBC: "I think it's fair to say that certainly across much of southern Britain and certainly across much of the catchment of the River Thames aquifers are very close to being fully saturated."
Mr McKenzie estimated it would take "several weeks" for the water to drain back to normal levels.Mr McKenzie estimated it would take "several weeks" for the water to drain back to normal levels.
Residents have told of their homes being flooded and having to move out.Residents have told of their homes being flooded and having to move out.
Georgia Fletcher, who lives in Wraysbury, Berkshire, has been forced to move out of her home although it is on higher ground.Georgia Fletcher, who lives in Wraysbury, Berkshire, has been forced to move out of her home although it is on higher ground.
She said: "It's distressing not being able to get back to your own house. My bedroom is on the ground floor. You don't know what you're going to come back to."She said: "It's distressing not being able to get back to your own house. My bedroom is on the ground floor. You don't know what you're going to come back to."
On the trains, because of flooding near Maidenhead, trains are having to run at a reduced speed between London Paddington and Reading, with journey times extended by up to an hour.On the trains, because of flooding near Maidenhead, trains are having to run at a reduced speed between London Paddington and Reading, with journey times extended by up to an hour.
First Great Western is currently advising passengers not to travel. Spokesman Dan Panes said the problems had been caused by water getting into Network Rail's signalling and safety equipment.First Great Western is currently advising passengers not to travel. Spokesman Dan Panes said the problems had been caused by water getting into Network Rail's signalling and safety equipment.
He said: "Network Rail are having to signal us into the area by hand at every single stop... it means that rather than 25 trains an hour into and out of Paddington, we are only able to run four at the moment."He said: "Network Rail are having to signal us into the area by hand at every single stop... it means that rather than 25 trains an hour into and out of Paddington, we are only able to run four at the moment."
Services are also suspended on South West Trains between Staines and Windsor and Eton Riverside, and the main train line from London to Cornwall remains severed at Dawlish.Services are also suspended on South West Trains between Staines and Windsor and Eton Riverside, and the main train line from London to Cornwall remains severed at Dawlish.
'No finger pointing''No finger pointing'
Defence Secretary Philip Hammond told the BBC the government had got a "grip" on the crisis and everything was being done to help those affected.Defence Secretary Philip Hammond told the BBC the government had got a "grip" on the crisis and everything was being done to help those affected.
Mr Hammond, who is also MP for Runnymede and Weybridge, said: "The assets that are needed from across the nation have been mobilised into the areas affected."Mr Hammond, who is also MP for Runnymede and Weybridge, said: "The assets that are needed from across the nation have been mobilised into the areas affected."
Asked about Environment Agency Chairman Lord Smith, who has faced criticism for not doing enough to help those affected, he said: "I don't want to spend the time now in the middle of this crisis recriminating and finger pointing."Asked about Environment Agency Chairman Lord Smith, who has faced criticism for not doing enough to help those affected, he said: "I don't want to spend the time now in the middle of this crisis recriminating and finger pointing."
Labour leader Ed Miliband, on a visit to Wraysbury, said flood defences should be made a higher priority by the government.Labour leader Ed Miliband, on a visit to Wraysbury, said flood defences should be made a higher priority by the government.
He said: "I think finger-pointing is not what the government should be doing, it's rolling their sleeves up and getting on with getting people the help, making sure that all the necessary agencies are working together, all the help is being provided for people."He said: "I think finger-pointing is not what the government should be doing, it's rolling their sleeves up and getting on with getting people the help, making sure that all the necessary agencies are working together, all the help is being provided for people."
Mr Cameron also would not be drawn into criticism of ministers over the crisis. Mr Cameron had earlier visited Dawlish, Devon, where a stretch of railway was washed away in the floods, before returning to London.
He said: "Everybody needs to get on with the vital work of bringing all of the nation's resources to get our road and rail moving, to help people who have been flooded, to plan for the future and to learn all the lessons of the very difficult situation we are in."
Are you in the affected areas? Have you been affected by the flooding? Email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.ukAre you in the affected areas? Have you been affected by the flooding? Email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk
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