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UK floods: PM says money 'no object' in relief effort UK floods: PM says money 'no object' in relief effort
(about 2 hours later)
The prime minister has promised that money will be no object in the flood relief effort. The prime minister says money will be no object as flood relief efforts continue across swathes of the UK.
David Cameron warned there was no sign of the threat ending, saying: "Things could get worse before they get better." David Cameron warned the severe weather was not over, saying: "Things could get worse before they get better."
Fourteen severe flood warnings are in place in Berkshire and Surrey, with two in Somerset. Fourteen severe flood warnings remain in place in Berkshire and Surrey and two remain in Somerset.
By the end of the day, 1,600 troops will have been deployed with thousands more available. Around 1,000 properties have been evacuated, thousands more are at risk and there are warnings of snow, high winds and more rain later and tomorrow.
There are weather warnings in place for snow later, with an amber "be prepared" warning of wind on Wednesday as well as yellow "be aware" snow, wind and rain warnings. The Met Office has issued an amber "be prepared" warning of wind on Wednesday as well as yellow "be aware" snow, wind and rain warnings.
At a Downing Street press conference, Mr Cameron said: "Money is no object in this relief effort. Whatever money is needed we will spend it." It said the "potentially damaging winds" could be strong enough to bring down trees, causing transport and power network problems.
Speaking at a Downing Street press conference after returning from the flood-stricken South West, Mr Cameron said: "Money is no object in this relief effort. Whatever money is needed we will spend it."
He urged people to unite in a "great national effort" and said the UK was in it for the "long haul".He urged people to unite in a "great national effort" and said the UK was in it for the "long haul".
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."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."
Mr Cameron announced:Mr Cameron announced:
He vowed lessons would be learned, adding: "We will deal with the floods and we will build a more resilient country for the future."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 prime minister, who later chaired another Cobra emergency committee meeting, 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. The Met Office says it has been the wettest winter on record for south-east and central southern England since its records began in 1910.
BBC chief political correspondent Norman Smith said the most striking aspect of what Mr Cameron had to say was his suggestion the government would spend whatever was needed to help get those affected by the flooding back on their feet.BBC chief political correspondent Norman Smith said the most striking aspect of what Mr Cameron had to say was his suggestion the government would spend whatever was needed to help get those affected by the flooding back on their feet.
It was also an attempt by Mr Cameron to project himself as the national leader in charge of a national crisis, our correspondent added, saying he had not sought to diminish the scale of the challenge ahead.It was also an attempt by Mr Cameron to project himself as the national leader in charge of a national crisis, our correspondent added, saying he had not sought to diminish the scale of the challenge ahead.
'Unprecedented''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 were at risk of flooding, he added.
Further evacuations are taking place in the Staines and Egham area. Further evacuations have been 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:
'Be prepared'
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. There are Met Office 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. A yellow warning for snow covers northern and western parts of the UK - but not the South West - for the rest of Tuesday and Wednesday.
There is a yellow warning for snow in place for western parts of the UK - but not the South West - for the rest of Tuesday and into Wednesday morning. BBC weather forecaster Louise Lear said there was the potential for storm force gusts of wind during the afternoon, reaching speeds of 70-80mph - and maybe higher - on exposed coasts.
Andrew McKenzie, a groundwater scientist at the British Geological Survey, said there had been "really spectacular rises in water levels" in its aquifers. Flooding near Maidenhead has caused cancellations and severe delays on journeys between London Paddington and Reading.
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." First Great Western is advising passengers in the affected areas only to travel if it is absolutely necessary.
Mr McKenzie estimated it would take "several weeks" for the water to drain back to normal levels. Spokesman Dan Panes said the problems had been caused by water getting into Network Rail's signalling and safety equipment.
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.
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.
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. Earlier, 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 had earlier visited Dawlish, Devon, where a stretch of railway was washed away in the floods, before returning to London. Mr Cameron spent two days visiting flood-hit communities across south-west England including Dawlish, Devon, where a stretch of railway was washed away in the floods and Staines-upon-Thames in Surrey.
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
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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