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Insurers urged to process flood claims quickly Insurers urged to process flood claims quickly
(35 minutes later)
The prime minister is urging the insurance industry to deal with flood claims as quickly as possible. The government is urging the insurance industry to deal with flood claims as quickly as possible.
David Cameron is also calling on insurers to offer more help to dry out homes. More than 5,000 homes and businesses are estimated to have been flooded since the start of December. As the prime minister unveiled a £10m fund to help businesses recover from floods, his spokesman confirmed No 10 would hold a meeting with insurers on Tuesday.
No 10 will hold a meeting with industry representatives on Tuesday. David Cameron is calling on the industry to offer more help to dry out the UK's 5,000-plus flooded properties.
The Met Office has issued a yellow "be aware" warning for rain in south-west England. The Met Office has a yellow "be aware" warning for rain in south-west England.
Sixteen severe flood warnings are also in place in southern England.Sixteen severe flood warnings are also in place in southern England.
Cornwall, parts of Somerset and Devon have already seen bursts of rain on Monday, while around 800 people are still without power across southern England and parts of Wales after cuts last week.Cornwall, parts of Somerset and Devon have already seen bursts of rain on Monday, while around 800 people are still without power across southern England and parts of Wales after cuts last week.
The prime minister, who visited flood-hit parts of Worcestershire and Gloucestershire, will chair another meeting of the Cobra emergency committee later. The prime minister, who visited flood-hit parts of Worcestershire and Gloucestershire on Monday, will chair another meeting of the Cobra emergency committee later.
He said while the government had increased spending on flood defences in the past, there were still lessons to be learned from the latest floods. He said that while the government had increased spending on flood defences in the past, there were still lessons to be learned from the latest floods.
"There are always lessons to learn," Mr Cameron said."There are always lessons to learn," Mr Cameron said.
"Always important after every flood to ask what other things could be done, what other things should be done, what other schemes should be looked at and we will make sure we learn all the lessons.""Always important after every flood to ask what other things could be done, what other things should be done, what other schemes should be looked at and we will make sure we learn all the lessons."
Meanwhile, members of his cabinet office will chair Tuesday's meeting with insurance representatives.Meanwhile, members of his cabinet office will chair Tuesday's meeting with insurance representatives.
Mr Cameron's official spokesman said the insurance industry should do its best to maximise help to flood-hit victims, including the "speedy" processing of claims and the provision of dehumidifiers to dry properties out.Mr Cameron's official spokesman said the insurance industry should do its best to maximise help to flood-hit victims, including the "speedy" processing of claims and the provision of dehumidifiers to dry properties out.
He declined to say whether the sector should be offering "premium holidays" to those who have been flooded.He declined to say whether the sector should be offering "premium holidays" to those who have been flooded.
Saturated groundSaturated ground
Up to 20mm (0.8in) of rain is forecast in south-west England on Monday.Up to 20mm (0.8in) of rain is forecast in south-west England on Monday.
The BBC Weather Centre said this would not normally cause too many problems but the Met Office warning was in place because ground was already saturated. There are also concerns about south Wales.The BBC Weather Centre said this would not normally cause too many problems but the Met Office warning was in place because ground was already saturated. There are also concerns about south Wales.
As well as severe flood warnings, the Environment Agency has almost 300 less serious flood warnings and flood alerts in England and Wales.As well as severe flood warnings, the Environment Agency has almost 300 less serious flood warnings and flood alerts in England and Wales.
However, the situation in the worst-hit areas of the Thames is expected to improve this week.However, the situation in the worst-hit areas of the Thames is expected to improve this week.
Tuesday should be brighter and drier, with temperatures higher than average for this time of year, said BBC Weather forecaster Matt Taylor.Tuesday should be brighter and drier, with temperatures higher than average for this time of year, said BBC Weather forecaster Matt Taylor.
Another area of low pressure looks set to arrive on Thursday and Friday, with stronger winds and more rain, but it is not expected to be as intense as last week.Another area of low pressure looks set to arrive on Thursday and Friday, with stronger winds and more rain, but it is not expected to be as intense as last week.
Resources 'stretched'Resources 'stretched'
Despite the improving weather, the Environment Agency has warned that flood waters could rise again in southern parts of England.Despite the improving weather, the Environment Agency has warned that flood waters could rise again in southern parts of England.
Katherine Evans, a flood risk manager at the agency, said ground water flooding in the South West and South East could go on for weeks and months.Katherine Evans, a flood risk manager at the agency, said ground water flooding in the South West and South East could go on for weeks and months.
She said: "Really high ground water which is... coming out of dry springs and turning those into rivers - it's coming out of the ground in various spots or it's flowing into major rivers and causing those to rise and then causing flooding as a result of the river coming out of banks.She said: "Really high ground water which is... coming out of dry springs and turning those into rivers - it's coming out of the ground in various spots or it's flowing into major rivers and causing those to rise and then causing flooding as a result of the river coming out of banks.
"So it is very much widespread across the country and in terms of the Environment Agency resources, they are stretched across the whole of the country at the moment.""So it is very much widespread across the country and in terms of the Environment Agency resources, they are stretched across the whole of the country at the moment."
'Vital' help'Vital' help
The prime minister had earlier announced a £10m fund to help businesses recover from the floods. The £10m Business Support Scheme will make funds available to small and medium-sized companies affected by storms.
Small and medium-sized companies affected by storms will have access to funds as part of the Business Support Scheme.
Businesses are also being given extra time to file their accounts, without being penalised. A helpline is being launched and can be reached on 0300 456 3565.Businesses are also being given extra time to file their accounts, without being penalised. A helpline is being launched and can be reached on 0300 456 3565.
Business secretary Vince Cable said: "It is vital that small businesses affected by the flooding get assistance as quickly as possible.Business secretary Vince Cable said: "It is vital that small businesses affected by the flooding get assistance as quickly as possible.
"We know the insurance companies are working to process claims as quickly as possible and we will inform local authorities of their allocations from the Business Support Scheme on Thursday to assist businesses with clean-up costs or help them to continue trading.""We know the insurance companies are working to process claims as quickly as possible and we will inform local authorities of their allocations from the Business Support Scheme on Thursday to assist businesses with clean-up costs or help them to continue trading."
Business and enterprise minister Michael Fallon said: "The scheme we're announcing today is specifically designed to help the very smallest businesses - the local shops in the village, the local stores, the independents."Business and enterprise minister Michael Fallon said: "The scheme we're announcing today is specifically designed to help the very smallest businesses - the local shops in the village, the local stores, the independents."
He told the BBC it would give them "some immediate help", adding each business would be able to apply for a grant of up to £2,500 to assist their recovery.He told the BBC it would give them "some immediate help", adding each business would be able to apply for a grant of up to £2,500 to assist their recovery.
Live flood warnings from the Environment AgencyLive flood warnings from the Environment Agency
Enter your postcode to see alerts near youEnter your postcode to see alerts near you
In other new developments:In other new developments:
Storm victims Are you in one of the flooded areas? Have you been affected by the flooding? Have you contacted your insurance company about flooding? Email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with the subject heading 'UK weather'.
Two people were killed on Friday - cruise ship passenger James Swinstead, 85, of Colchester, Essex, and minicab driver Julie Sillitoe, 49, from north London.
Mr Swinstead died after waves crashed through a window of the cruise ship MS Marco Polo as it headed for its home port of Tilbury in Essex.
His widow Helen criticised the vessel as "badly maintained". Operator Cruise and Maritime Voyages said the ship had undergone "stringent and rigorous surveys".
The ship has been deemed fit to sail after police and port authority inspections, and left Tilbury for another cruise on Sunday with about 800 passengers on board.
Mother-of-three Mrs Sillitoe died when falling masonry hit her taxi near Holborn Underground station in central London.
Bob Thomas, 77, also died on Friday, two days after he was hit by a falling tree in his garden in Caernarfon, north-west Wales.
Are you in one of the flooded 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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