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Thames risk-to-life flood warnings to be downgraded Thames risk-to-life flood warnings downgraded
(35 minutes later)
The lives of people living along the Thames are considered no longer at risk as the Environment Agency prepares to downgrade severe flood warnings there. The lives of people living along the Thames are considered no longer at risk as the Environment Agency has downgraded its severe flood warnings there.
While 16 such warnings are currently in place in the South East and South West, those for the river will be reclassified as lesser warnings later.
But people are still urged to be vigilant, with high water levels expected to remain owing to more rain.But people are still urged to be vigilant, with high water levels expected to remain owing to more rain.
Meanwhile, the government is to call on insurers to deal with claims quickly. Two severe flood warnings remain in place in the South West.
Meanwhile, the government has urged insurers to deal with flood claims as quickly as possible.
As the prime minister earlier unveiled a £10m fund to help businesses recover from floods, his spokesman confirmed No 10 would hold a meeting with insurers on Tuesday.As the prime minister earlier unveiled a £10m fund to help businesses recover from floods, his spokesman confirmed No 10 would hold a meeting with insurers on Tuesday.
David Cameron is urging the industry to offer more help to dry out the UK's 5,000-plus flooded properties.David Cameron is urging the industry to offer more help to dry out the UK's 5,000-plus flooded properties.
The Met Office currently has a yellow "be aware" warning for rain in south-west England.The Met Office currently has a yellow "be aware" warning for rain in south-west England.
Cornwall, parts of Somerset and Devon have already seen bursts of rain on Monday, while around 600 people are still without power across southern England and parts of Wales after cuts last week. Cornwall, parts of Somerset and Devon have seen bursts of rain on Monday, while around 600 people are still without power across southern England and parts of Wales after cuts last week.
But Environment Agency flood risk manager Katherine Evans said the situation was "generally improving".But Environment Agency flood risk manager Katherine Evans said the situation was "generally improving".
"We currently have still 16 severe flood warnings in place, but we are expecting severe flood warnings along the Thames to be downgraded to flood warnings over the course of this afternoon," she said. She would not rule out further flooding as a result of ground water across the South East, in parts of Kent, Wiltshire, Hampshire and Dorset.
Ms Evans would not rule out further flooding as a result of ground water across the South East, in parts of Kent, Wiltshire, Hampshire and Dorset.
"We will see that problem continue to exist for the next few weeks, if not months," she warned."We will see that problem continue to exist for the next few weeks, if not months," she warned.
The prime minister, who visited flood-hit parts of Worcestershire and Gloucestershire on Monday, is chairing another meeting of the Cobra emergency committee.The prime minister, who visited flood-hit parts of Worcestershire and Gloucestershire on Monday, is chairing another meeting of the Cobra emergency committee.
'Speedy' claims
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 and need to make a claim.He declined to say whether the sector should be offering "premium holidays" to those who have been flooded and need to make a claim.
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.
While this would not normally cause too many problems, the concern is that ground is already saturated.While this would not normally cause too many problems, the concern is that ground is already saturated.
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 the two severe flood warnings, the Environment Agency has almost 300 less serious flood warnings and flood alerts in England and Wales.
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.
'Vital' help'Vital' help
The £10m Business Support Scheme will make funds available to small and medium-sized companies affected by storms.The £10m Business Support Scheme will make funds available to small and medium-sized companies affected by storms.
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.
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:
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'.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'.
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