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UK floods: Fresh storm brings more rain and strong winds UK floods: Fresh storm brings more rain and strong winds
(about 1 hour later)
More heavy rain and gale-force winds are sweeping across southern Britain as engineers try to reconnect more than 16,000 properties still without power.More heavy rain and gale-force winds are sweeping across southern Britain as engineers try to reconnect more than 16,000 properties still without power.
South-west England has seen torrential rain, with strong winds in the Isles of Scilly and snow on higher ground.South-west England has seen torrential rain, with strong winds in the Isles of Scilly and snow on higher ground.
Seventeen severe flood warnings remain in place in parts of Gloucestershire, Somerset, Berkshire and Surrey.Seventeen severe flood warnings remain in place in parts of Gloucestershire, Somerset, Berkshire and Surrey.
Prime Minister David Cameron said the government would "fight at every front to help people" hit by floods.Prime Minister David Cameron said the government would "fight at every front to help people" hit by floods.
He said money would be no object in a "massive national effort", saying: "I want people to know that the government absolutely stands behind this relief effort."He said money would be no object in a "massive national effort", saying: "I want people to know that the government absolutely stands behind this relief effort."
The Met Office has issued yellow and amber warnings for rain, wind and snow.
It said the bad weather would come in two phases: Heavy rain for many areas during the day on Friday and then very strong winds in southern England in the evening and overnight.
BBC Weather's Darren Bett said the severe weather was "hopefully the last in a long line" to hit the UK.
He said more snow was likely on higher ground in Wales, northern England and Northern Ireland while winds would strengthen through the day - especially along the south coast.
Gusts there would reach 80 mph.
Forecasters say south-west England and parts of south Wales could see up to 40 mm of rainfall in six to nine hours during Friday.
Snow has been falling on Dartmoor and Exmoor and a BBC correspondent in Plymouth said big waves were crashing into the shoreline.
Princes William and Harry have been helping with the flood relief effort in Datchet, Berkshire.Princes William and Harry have been helping with the flood relief effort in Datchet, Berkshire.
They joined soldiers unloading sandbags in the town.They joined soldiers unloading sandbags in the town.
A spokesman from Kensington Palace said: "They wanted to show their support for the flood victims and have joined the armed forces relief effort."A spokesman from Kensington Palace said: "They wanted to show their support for the flood victims and have joined the armed forces relief effort."
Buckingham Palace said the Queen was supporting farmers affected by the flooding on the Somerset Levels by contributing feed and bedding from the royal farms at Windsor. In other developments:
Meanwhile, the prime minister said people, businesses and local councils should know that the government would fund the effort, including the cost of sandbags and military deployment. The Met Office has issued yellow and amber warnings for rain, wind and snow.
Mr Cameron added that lessons had been learned from past flooding, but said: "There is always more we can do and we will do it." It said the bad weather would come in two phases: Heavy rain for many areas during the day on Friday and then very strong winds in southern England in the evening and overnight.
Gusts could reach up to 85 mph, while more snow is expected on high ground in Wales, northern England and Northern Ireland.
Forecasters said south-west England and parts of south Wales could see up to 40 mm of rainfall in six to nine hours during Friday.
Mr Cameron said people, businesses and local councils should know that the government would fund the effort, including the cost of sandbags and military deployment.
He said lessons had been learned from past flooding, adding: "There is always more we can do and we will do it."
Asked about planned job cuts at the Environment Agency, he said nothing would be done to hamper flood relief efforts.Asked about planned job cuts at the Environment Agency, he said nothing would be done to hamper flood relief efforts.
The Environment Agency has confirmed that 2,000 jobs are to go by September, but says it has not decided which areas the posts will be cut from.
It denied suggestions that more than 500 jobs would be shed by its flood defences department.
The cost-cutting programme is now on hold until the floods crisis is over.
Waders and torches
Mr Cameron also said UK businesses were offering "free help" to those affected by the flooding.
He said major supermarkets were providing supplies such as waders, food parcels, batteries and torches.
There would also be a push to help farmers, with Morrisons using its lorries to collect distressed livestock and helping to move silage and hay.
Tesco is sending bales of hay to farms in south-west England to help feed displaced animals.
Hardware stores are stocking flood relief centres with kettles, toasters and fridges, as well as providing sand and sandbags.
And the accommodation website Airbnb will waive its fees on rooms offered to flood victims, while many companies across the country are organising volunteers from within their own workforces.
Sandbags availableSandbags available
With the level of the River Thames expected to rise again during the day, people in Berkshire and Surrey have been warned properties may be at risk.With the level of the River Thames expected to rise again during the day, people in Berkshire and Surrey have been warned properties may be at risk.
The Environment Agency's flood risk manager, Alison Baptiste, urged people to do all they could to protect themselves and their homes.The Environment Agency's flood risk manager, Alison Baptiste, urged people to do all they could to protect themselves and their homes.
She said 30,000 sandbags were being made available across the area.She said 30,000 sandbags were being made available across the area.
Alex Tribick from the Spelthorne Business Forum in Surrey said the local currency had "changed from the pound to the sandbag".Alex Tribick from the Spelthorne Business Forum in Surrey said the local currency had "changed from the pound to the sandbag".
Very high winds are forecast to continue through Saturday morning, as is rain, while Sunday should be mostly dry.Very high winds are forecast to continue through Saturday morning, as is rain, while Sunday should be mostly dry.
Next week's weather is not expected to be as wet or windy as in recent days.Next week's weather is not expected to be as wet or windy as in recent days.
Paul Davies, the Met Office's chief forecaster, said the UK would begin to see longer gaps between unsettled weather.
"We will be entering a period of the typical type of February weather we normally experience," Mr Davies said.
"We will see some rain coming through but not the same intensity that we have been having for the last few weeks. The trend is towards less of the extremes we have experienced.
"But when the rain does come through, given the sensitivities of the catchment, it does not take a lot to elevate the flood risk yet again."
Meanwhile, the Energy Networks Association said about 16,000 UK properties remained without electricity on Friday morning, with 10,000 having been reconnected overnight.Meanwhile, the Energy Networks Association said about 16,000 UK properties remained without electricity on Friday morning, with 10,000 having been reconnected overnight.
It said those homes still without power were all in mid or north Wales.It said those homes still without power were all in mid or north Wales.
Severn warningSevern warning
Some parts of the Somerset Levels have been flooded for several weeks, while areas near the Thames in Berkshire and Surrey have seen major flooding in recent days.Some parts of the Somerset Levels have been flooded for several weeks, while areas near the Thames in Berkshire and Surrey have seen major flooding in recent days.
The Environment Agency's latest severe warning was for the River Severn at Alney Island, Gloucester.The Environment Agency's latest severe warning was for the River Severn at Alney Island, Gloucester.
The agency has also issued more than 350 less serious flood warnings and alerts, mostly in southern England and the Midlands.The agency has also issued more than 350 less serious flood warnings and alerts, mostly in southern England and the Midlands.
Remaining travel problems include:Remaining travel problems include:
Tornado roleTornado role
Meanwhile, a Royal Air Force (RAF) Tornado jet has captured detailed aerial pictures of areas affected by the floods.Meanwhile, a Royal Air Force (RAF) Tornado jet has captured detailed aerial pictures of areas affected by the floods.
High-resolution imagery captured from the aircraft, deployed from RAF Marham, in Norfolk, will help in the planning of relief operations.High-resolution imagery captured from the aircraft, deployed from RAF Marham, in Norfolk, will help in the planning of relief operations.
Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said: "This Tornado-borne surveillance capability is very much proven in a combat role in Afghanistan but its versatility is underlined by its use today, here at home, to support ongoing flood relief efforts."Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said: "This Tornado-borne surveillance capability is very much proven in a combat role in Afghanistan but its versatility is underlined by its use today, here at home, to support ongoing flood relief efforts."
Are you in the affected areas? Have you been affected by the flooding? Email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with the subject heading UK weather.Are you in the affected areas? Have you been affected by the flooding? Email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with the subject heading UK weather.
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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