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UK storms: Engineers work though night to restore power UK storms: Cameron warns of further flooding
(about 1 hour later)
Much of England and Wales is in danger of further flooding despite a let-up in the long spell of stormy weather, Prime Minister David Cameron has warned.
He said problems were likely to get worse as the volume of rain over recent weeks meant groundwater levels would keep rising in many places.
Scores of flood warnings and alerts are still in force.
Engineers have been working through the night to restore power to thousands of homes cut off after the storms.Engineers have been working through the night to restore power to thousands of homes cut off after the storms.
The Energy Networks Association said almost one million properties had been affected over the past week but fewer than 30,000 were now without supply. Mr Cameron said: "Thankfully, it does appear that we will see less rain and wind over the next few days.
Energy minister Michael Fallon said agencies were working "flat out". "However, after so much rain over recent weeks groundwater levels remain very high and in many places will continue to rise."
However, the prime minister warned flood levels would remain "very high" and in some areas continue to rise despite an improved weather forecast. The Energy Networks Association said almost one million properties had lost power over the past week but fewer than 30,000 were now affected.
Tim Field, from the Energy Networks Association, warned some homes would still be without power on Sunday. The association said it would give an update on the situation at 09:30 GMT.
'Lines brought down''Lines brought down'
Mr Fallon told the BBC: "The agencies are working together now very closely which I think really is the key to it, the military, the police, the local councils and the power companies all doing their best to get to these sites. Energy minister Michael Fallon told the BBC: "The agencies are working together now very closely which I think really is the key to it, the military, the police, the local councils and the power companies all doing their best to get to these sites.
"Sometimes there's water getting into some of the sub stations, more often it is simply lines brought down by the very, very strong winds.""Sometimes there's water getting into some of the sub stations, more often it is simply lines brought down by the very, very strong winds."
He added: "We have not been sitting around in Whitehall agonising over the current state of climate change, we have been dealing with the problems that people are facing at the moment.He added: "We have not been sitting around in Whitehall agonising over the current state of climate change, we have been dealing with the problems that people are facing at the moment.
"Making sure there are enough troops, there are enough power company workers, there are enough sandbags, making sure people have the help they need."Making sure there are enough troops, there are enough power company workers, there are enough sandbags, making sure people have the help they need.
"There will certainly be time after this to look and see how we can better protect people.""There will certainly be time after this to look and see how we can better protect people."
Tim Field, from the Energy Networks Association, warned some homes would still be without power on Sunday. The association said it would give an update on the situation at 09:30 GMT.
David Cameron spoke after chairing a meeting of the government's emergency committee Cobra on Saturday.
He said: "I was reassured that all the agencies involved - thousands of people locally and nationally - have made huge efforts over the last few days to protect more homes and businesses, with over 3,000 of our troops deployed on task... and many hundreds more on standby".
In an interview with the Observer, Labour leader Ed Miliband said the events of recent weeks showed climate change was a "national security issue" for the UK.
He said Labour had warned climate change could destabilise "entire regions of the world" and now Britain's homes, businesses and livelihoods were "under attack".
"The science is clear. The public know there is a problem. But, because of political division in Westminster, we are sleepwalking into a national security crisis on climate change," he said.
The Met Office has a yellow severe weather warning - meaning "be aware" - for ice for most of the UK until 10:00 GMT.The Met Office has a yellow severe weather warning - meaning "be aware" - for ice for most of the UK until 10:00 GMT.
The Environment Agency has 16 severe flood warnings - meaning "danger to life" - in south-east and south-west England.The Environment Agency has 16 severe flood warnings - meaning "danger to life" - in south-east and south-west England.
BBC weather presenter Susan Powell said after sunshine and light winds on Sunday, next week would be unsettled with further spells of rain but not as stormy as recently.BBC weather presenter Susan Powell said after sunshine and light winds on Sunday, next week would be unsettled with further spells of rain but not as stormy as recently.
'Remain vigilant''Remain vigilant'
The Environment Agency said the Thames Barrier had been closed for a record 16th consecutive time to help lower river levels.The Environment Agency said the Thames Barrier had been closed for a record 16th consecutive time to help lower river levels.
Chief executive Paul Leinster said: "We continue to see the very real and devastating impacts that flooding can have on communities and business.Chief executive Paul Leinster 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.
"Despite an improving forecast the risk of flooding will continue for many communities in southern parts of England over the next few days."Despite an improving forecast the risk of flooding will continue for many communities in southern parts of England over the next few days.
"We ask people to remain vigilant and take action where necessary.""We ask people to remain vigilant and take action where necessary."
In an interview with the Observer, Labour leader Ed Miliband said the events of recent weeks showed climate change was a "national security issue" for the UK.
He said Labour had warned climate change could destabilise "entire regions of the world" and now Britain's homes, businesses and livelihoods were "under attack".
"The science is clear. The public know there is a problem. But, because of political division in Westminster, we are sleepwalking into a national security crisis on climate change," he said.
Live flood warnings from the Environment AgencyLive flood warnings from the Environment Agency
Two people were killed after high winds and heavy rain hit southern England on Friday.Two people were killed after high winds and heavy rain hit southern England on Friday.
Mother-of-three Julie Sillitoe, 49, from north London, died when falling masonry hit her taxi near Holborn Underground station in central London.Mother-of-three Julie Sillitoe, 49, from north London, died when falling masonry hit her taxi near Holborn Underground station in central London.
An 85-year-old man was killed after waves crashed through a window of the cruise ship MS Marco Polo in the English Channel as it headed for its home port of Tilbury in Essex.An 85-year-old man was killed after waves crashed through a window of the cruise ship MS Marco Polo in the English Channel as it headed for its home port of Tilbury in Essex.
He and a woman in her 70s had been airlifted off the vessel but the man later died.He and a woman in her 70s had been airlifted off the vessel but the man later died.
A third storm victim, Bob Thomas, 77, died in hospital on Friday two days after he was hit by a falling tree in his garden in Caernarfon, north-west Wales.A third storm victim, Bob Thomas, 77, died in hospital on Friday two days after he was hit by a falling tree in his garden in Caernarfon, north-west Wales.
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.
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