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UK floods: Storm Frank threatens more misery UK floods: Storm Frank threatens more misery
(35 minutes later)
A fresh storm threatens to bring more misery to parts of the UK, including areas already hit by severe flooding.A fresh storm threatens to bring more misery to parts of the UK, including areas already hit by severe flooding.
Storm Frank is due to sweep in from Tuesday evening, with Cumbria and south and central Scotland at most risk.Storm Frank is due to sweep in from Tuesday evening, with Cumbria and south and central Scotland at most risk.
There are already nine severe flood warnings - meaning "danger to life" - in England and Wales, mostly centred on York which was flooded on Saturday.There are already nine severe flood warnings - meaning "danger to life" - in England and Wales, mostly centred on York which was flooded on Saturday.
David Cameron has defended government spending on flood defences after the devastation across northern England.David Cameron has defended government spending on flood defences after the devastation across northern England.
Floods minister Rory Stewart told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the government was open to the idea of an external review being held and expressed concern over Storm Frank. Floods minister Rory Stewart told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the government was open to the idea of an external review being held - and warned residents to prepare for what could be "a very bad situation [on] Wednesday and Thursday".
Follow the latest live updates on the floodingFollow the latest live updates on the flooding
'Troublemaker''Troublemaker'
December has already seen communities in Cumbria, Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Yorkshire swamped by rising waters and Storm Frank now poses a new threat.December has already seen communities in Cumbria, Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Yorkshire swamped by rising waters and Storm Frank now poses a new threat.
The Met Office issued amber weather warnings - meaning "be prepared" - for rain in Strathclyde; Central, Tayside and Fife; Dumfries, Galloway, Lothian and Borders; and North West England for Wednesday.The Met Office issued amber weather warnings - meaning "be prepared" - for rain in Strathclyde; Central, Tayside and Fife; Dumfries, Galloway, Lothian and Borders; and North West England for Wednesday.
There are also yellow weather warnings - meaning "be aware" - for rain for the rest of Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, North East England and Yorkshire and Humber.There are also yellow weather warnings - meaning "be aware" - for rain for the rest of Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, North East England and Yorkshire and Humber.
At the scene At the scene - Jorvik Viking Centre, York
By Jeremy Cooke, BBC UK Affairs correspondent By Fiona Trott, BBC News, York
The good news from the skies above Selby and York is that the flood waters are in retreat. One place counting the cost is York's popular tourist attraction, the Jorvik Viking Centre.
The helicopter crew I am with have been flying over these drenched communities for days. And they tell me there is a dramatic difference. I can see traffic and trains moving through York, as its famous minster basks in winter sunshine. "It's really hard to see it like this," the museum's director of attractions Sarah Maltby told us as we waded through the contaminated floodwater that has closed it.
But look more closely and you can see some homes and businesses still underwater. And the countryside beyond is still a vast expanse of open water. The faces of the Viking dummies looked strange in the torchlight, and it felt warm and damp. Sarah explained how they saved some of their priceless exhibits by ripping a door off its hinges and using it as a flood barrier.
From up here it is hard to imagine that all of this water is not a permanent fixture of the landscape. But of course it will eventually drain away - communities and roads and farmland will reappear. "Within about six hours we moved all our most valuable items - an original Viking sock, bowls and tools all dating back to the 9th Century."
For the people here, what will remain, will be the memories and the images of the great flood of 2015. The museum attracts 400,000 visitors a year and they don't yet know when it will reopen. It's just one corner of this historic city that's now counting the cost.
Watch Fiona's video report
BBC weather presenter Sarah Keith-Lucas said: "The wind and the rain will strengthen during the course of Tuesday, all down to Storm Frank.BBC weather presenter Sarah Keith-Lucas said: "The wind and the rain will strengthen during the course of Tuesday, all down to Storm Frank.
"That's going to be pushing towards the north of the UK but Tuesday night into Wednesday a trailing weather front will be quite a troublemaker, bringing not only destructive winds but also further heavy rain.""That's going to be pushing towards the north of the UK but Tuesday night into Wednesday a trailing weather front will be quite a troublemaker, bringing not only destructive winds but also further heavy rain."
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency warned Storm Frank could bring further flooding to Scotland. Wales is also bracing itself for more rain.The Scottish Environment Protection Agency warned Storm Frank could bring further flooding to Scotland. Wales is also bracing itself for more rain.
Further afield, Ireland has also issued weather warnings ahead of the arrival of Storm Frank - two orange (equivalent to amber) and two yellow, both for wind and rain.Further afield, Ireland has also issued weather warnings ahead of the arrival of Storm Frank - two orange (equivalent to amber) and two yellow, both for wind and rain.
Mr Stewart also told the BBC he was "very concerned" about the weather forecasts over the next two days. In York, the BBC's Jeremy Cooke says there is a bleak outlook for many, with some facing the loss of their livelihoods and others worried about claiming for the flood damage amid fears insurance companies will not insure them again.
"There's another front coming in, there could be more flooding again so we really need emergency services, voluntary groups, mountain rescue to rest to be ready for what could be a very bad situation Wednesday and Thursday." But he says morale is still high, with local groups going from house to house delivering cleaning equipment and water to those affected.
'Long-term plan' The Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, has been visiting some of those affected and said the damage was "just heart-rending" - as were "silly stories" of people looting empty properties.
The Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, has been visiting some of those affected by the floods and said the damage was "just heart-rending" - as were "silly stories" of people looting empty properties.
West Yorkshire Police warned residents that there had been incidents of theft of property left out to dry and said motorcycle clubs had offered to assist police in patrolling flood-hit areas "as extra eyes and ears on the ground".West Yorkshire Police warned residents that there had been incidents of theft of property left out to dry and said motorcycle clubs had offered to assist police in patrolling flood-hit areas "as extra eyes and ears on the ground".
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service has tweeted that it ferried a midwife for a scheduled visit to see a newborn baby in Ozendyke. 'Lot of money'
The floods minister said £2.3bn being spent on flood defences over six years would allow the government to take long-term decisions.The floods minister said £2.3bn being spent on flood defences over six years would allow the government to take long-term decisions.
"There are going to be different parts of the country where people are going to be pushing for bigger schemes," Mr Stewart said."There are going to be different parts of the country where people are going to be pushing for bigger schemes," Mr Stewart said.
"We have to try to be fair, we're putting a lot of money into this and we're making sure we're spending it in the most cost effective way we can.""We have to try to be fair, we're putting a lot of money into this and we're making sure we're spending it in the most cost effective way we can."
The government has ordered a major review of flood prevention strategy.The government has ordered a major review of flood prevention strategy.
Shadow chancellor John McDonnell told Today that the issue of flooding should be beyond party politics and any review must include the input of experts on the ground.Shadow chancellor John McDonnell told Today that the issue of flooding should be beyond party politics and any review must include the input of experts on the ground.
He said what was needed was "a long-term cross-party plan that goes beyond the life of one parliament".He said what was needed was "a long-term cross-party plan that goes beyond the life of one parliament".
Lib Dem leader Tim Farron said extra funding was needed for flood defences, and said Prime Minister David Cameron needed to "show he cares about the North by following up his words with deeds". Lib Dem leader Tim Farron said extra funding was needed for flood defences and said Prime Minister David Cameron needed to "show he cares about the North by following up his words with deeds".
The Met Office said parts of Cumbria, Lancashire and Yorkshire had seen record levels of rainfall for December.The Met Office said parts of Cumbria, Lancashire and Yorkshire had seen record levels of rainfall for December.
Analysts estimate the cost of flooding across northern England could exceed £1.5bn.
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