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UK floods: Severe weather expected in stricken areas UK floods: Flood-hit areas in for 'long haul' says David Cameron
(35 minutes later)
More wet weather is affecting flood-stricken parts of the UK, with severe flood warnings in place along the Thames and Somerset.More wet weather is affecting flood-stricken parts of the UK, with severe flood warnings in place along the Thames and Somerset.
Fourteen severe flood warnings are in place in Berkshire and Surrey, and two in Somerset.Fourteen severe flood warnings are in place in Berkshire and Surrey, and two in Somerset.
Prime Minister David Cameron said the floods were a "huge challenge" and "we are in it for a long haul."Prime Minister David Cameron said the floods were a "huge challenge" and "we are in it for a long haul."
A total of 1,600 troops are on standby in southern England, to help with the crisis.A total of 1,600 troops are on standby in southern England, to help with the crisis.
Mr Cameron, speaking while on a visit to Dawlish, 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, speaking while on a visit to Dawlish, 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.
"We must do everything, but it is going to take time to put these things right.""We must do everything, but it is going to take time to put these things right."
Mr Cameron will later hold a press conference at Downing Street.
He later tweeted: "After a day visiting flood-hit areas, I'll update the country on the latest plan of action with a press conference at No10 at 4:45pm."
Homes were flooded along the Thames in towns and villages including Chertsey, Wraysbury and Datchet and thousands more properties are still at risk. Some residents have chosen to stay in their homes.Homes were flooded along the Thames in towns and villages including Chertsey, Wraysbury and Datchet and thousands more properties are still at risk. Some residents have chosen to stay in their homes.
In the Tewkesbury area, in Gloucestershire water levels are expected to rise by a further 30cm (12in) and levels will stay elevated in parts of the county for "some time", the Environment Agency.In the Tewkesbury area, in Gloucestershire water levels are expected to rise by a further 30cm (12in) and levels will stay elevated in parts of the county for "some time", the Environment Agency.
More than 5,000 properties have been flooded 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 in the last two months after the "most exceptional period of rainfall" to hit parts of England and Wales for nearly 250 years.
And more than 130 severe flood warnings - indicating a threat to life - have been issued since December.And more than 130 severe flood warnings - indicating a threat to life - have been issued since December.
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 severe weather warnings in place for rain across parts of south Wales and south-west England, cautioning that "with ongoing flooding in some places, any further rain will only add to the problems".The Met Office has severe weather warnings in place for rain across parts of south Wales and south-west England, cautioning that "with ongoing flooding in some places, any further rain will only add to the problems".
BBC weather forecaster Laura Gilchrist said Wednesday could bring the strongest wind so far this winter with an amber warning - meaning "be prepared" and "possible gusts of 80mph or more in exposed areas" areas of the South West.BBC weather forecaster Laura Gilchrist said Wednesday could bring the strongest wind so far this winter with an amber warning - meaning "be prepared" and "possible gusts of 80mph or more in exposed areas" areas of the South West.
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.
Alice Paice said flood water was up to her waist on the ground floor of her home in Sunbury, Middlesex.Alice Paice said flood water was up to her waist on the ground floor of her home in Sunbury, Middlesex.
"We have no heating, only an electric heater and the fireplace. Yesterday the water pump went. We can run limited water, but we have no shower or washing machine," she said."We have no heating, only an electric heater and the fireplace. Yesterday the water pump went. We can run limited water, but we have no shower or washing machine," she said.
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."
Alanna Burns, from Chertsey in Surrey, said while water levels were still rising, there were not enough officials around and no sandbags.Alanna Burns, from Chertsey in Surrey, said while water levels were still rising, there were not enough officials around and no sandbags.
She said people had been left like "sitting ducks waiting for it to happen".She said people had been left like "sitting ducks waiting for it to happen".
Chief Supt Matt Twist, of Surrey Police, said a "major incident" had been declared with more than 150 people have been rescued from flooded homes in the last 24 hours.Chief Supt Matt Twist, of Surrey Police, said a "major incident" had been declared with more than 150 people have been rescued from flooded homes in the last 24 hours.
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.First Great Western is currently advising passengers not to travel.
Services are also suspended on South West Trains between Staines and Windsor and Eton Riverside due to rising water levels, and the main train line from London to Cornwall remains severed at Dawlish, in Devon.Services are also suspended on South West Trains between Staines and Windsor and Eton Riverside due to rising water levels, and the main train line from London to Cornwall remains severed at Dawlish, in Devon.
'No finger pointing''No finger pointing'
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.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 a also MP for Runnymede and Weybridge, said the military had been called in, extra money given and equipment brought in, some cases from abroad.Mr Hammond, who is a also MP for Runnymede and Weybridge, said the military had been called in, extra money given and equipment brought in, some cases from abroad.
"The assets that are needed from across the nation have been mobilised into the areas affected.""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."
Mr Cameron also would not be drawn into criticism of ministers over the crisis.Mr Cameron also would not be drawn into criticism of ministers over the crisis.
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."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."
The Environment Agency board has also written a letter to its employees "fully supporting" Lord Smith and saying the criticism of it staff was "ill-informed and unfair".The Environment Agency board has also written a letter to its employees "fully supporting" Lord Smith and saying the criticism of it staff was "ill-informed and unfair".
Lord Smith told BBC Two's Newsnight "extreme natural forces" had been "having a go at us and we need to find the best possible ways of defending ourselves against them. We've all made mistakes, everyone has made mistakes.Lord Smith told BBC Two's Newsnight "extreme natural forces" had been "having a go at us and we need to find the best possible ways of defending ourselves against them. We've all made mistakes, everyone has made mistakes.