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David Cameron pledges to visit flood-hit communities amid warnings of more to come UK weather: David Cameron pledges to visit flood-hit communities amid warnings of more to come
(35 minutes later)
David Cameron has pledged to visit “every part of the country” affected by floods as the misery continues for waterlogged parts of England.David Cameron has pledged to visit “every part of the country” affected by floods as the misery continues for waterlogged parts of England.
Speaking to the BBC from Chertsey, Surrey, the Prime Minister praised the army’s rescue efforts and batted away criticism levelled at the government’s response to the crisis.Speaking to the BBC from Chertsey, Surrey, the Prime Minister praised the army’s rescue efforts and batted away criticism levelled at the government’s response to the crisis.
He said there had been a “huge, joined-up national effort” but admitted there were some lessons to be learned.He said there had been a “huge, joined-up national effort” but admitted there were some lessons to be learned.
“We will learn the lessons afterwards – right now the key thing is to get as much done as we can in the next few hours,” he added.“We will learn the lessons afterwards – right now the key thing is to get as much done as we can in the next few hours,” he added.
“It has been very, very difficult for people and my heart goes out to everyone who has been affected.”“It has been very, very difficult for people and my heart goes out to everyone who has been affected.”
The Thames Barrier has been shut for a record 16th consecutive time to protect communities ahead of more rain expected overnight.The Thames Barrier has been shut for a record 16th consecutive time to protect communities ahead of more rain expected overnight.
A yellow warning is in place for rainfall in much of England and Wales but winds have eased.A yellow warning is in place for rainfall in much of England and Wales but winds have eased.
The Environment Agency warned that parts of southern, south west and central England are still at risk of flooding as river levels remain high.The Environment Agency warned that parts of southern, south west and central England are still at risk of flooding as river levels remain high.
There were 16 severe flood warnings in place on Saturday afternoon – down on 22 earlier in the day – and hundreds of less serious alerts.There were 16 severe flood warnings in place on Saturday afternoon – down on 22 earlier in the day – and hundreds of less serious alerts.
The risk will continue over the coming days for the Somerset Levels and Moors, where river levels continue to rise, posing a further threat to communities who have already been underwater for weeks.The risk will continue over the coming days for the Somerset Levels and Moors, where river levels continue to rise, posing a further threat to communities who have already been underwater for weeks.
The rivers Severn, Wye and Avon are still swelling with recent rainfall.The rivers Severn, Wye and Avon are still swelling with recent rainfall.
Paul Leinster, chief executive of the Environment Agency, said: “We continue to see the very real and devastating impacts that flooding can have on communities and business.Paul Leinster, chief executive of the Environment Agency, said: “We continue to see the very real and devastating impacts that flooding can have on communities and business.
“We know the distress that flooding can cause and are doing everything we can to reduce the impacts.”“We know the distress that flooding can cause and are doing everything we can to reduce the impacts.”
The Met Office expects conditions to become more settled into next week and has not issued any warnings from Tuesday onwards.The Met Office expects conditions to become more settled into next week and has not issued any warnings from Tuesday onwards.
It will be a relief for communities picking up the pieces of hurricane-force winds that tore into parts of the coast on Friday night.It will be a relief for communities picking up the pieces of hurricane-force winds that tore into parts of the coast on Friday night.
Two people have so far died in the extreme conditions – a woman crushed in her car by falling masonry and a man who was on a cruise ship when a monster wave smashed through the window. Three people have died so far in the extreme conditions. A woman was crushed in her car by falling masonry in London yesterday evening and a man who was on a cruise ship died when a monster wave smashed through the window. A 77-year-old man, Bob Thomas, was hit by a tree in the garden of his Caernarfon home on Wednesday and died in hospital yesterday.
Diners had to be evacuated from a restaurant when shingle smashed the windows on Friday evening and a sinkhole, possibly caused by rainwater washing away soil, appeared in Hemel Hempsted on Saturday.Diners had to be evacuated from a restaurant when shingle smashed the windows on Friday evening and a sinkhole, possibly caused by rainwater washing away soil, appeared in Hemel Hempsted on Saturday.
Travel delays continue on roads and railways across the country as authorities attempt to clear fallen trees and more than 11,000 homes are still without power.Travel delays continue on roads and railways across the country as authorities attempt to clear fallen trees and more than 11,000 homes are still without power.