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Flash floods hit homes and roads Flash floods hit homes and roads
(about 1 hour later)
Torrential rain has caused flash flooding in parts of England, Wales and Scotland, stranding drivers and causing water to enter hundreds of homes.Torrential rain has caused flash flooding in parts of England, Wales and Scotland, stranding drivers and causing water to enter hundreds of homes.
Somerset and Devon were especially badly affected, with the Midlands, Cheshire, and parts of Wales and Scotland also reporting problems. Somerset and Devon were especially badly affected, with roads submerged and people trapped in their homes.
Train services between London, Bristol and the South West have been disrupted. A young woman died in Dorset when her car crashed off the road during a heavy rain storm.
The Environment Agency issued 212 flood warnings in England and Wales, with the South West and the Midlands worst hit. There are now 40 flood warnings in place in England and Wales, with the West Country and Midlands worst hit.
Norman Evans, of Devon and Somerset Fire Service, said the service had received hundreds of calls, and crews had been dealing with up to 10 rescues involving flooded homes or vehicles. Train services between London, Bristol and the south-west of England have been disrupted.
Seven people were rescued from their cars in separate incidents when they became stuck in floodwater in Devon. Thirty people were rescued from their vehicles and homes and more than 200 people in Somerset found their cellars and ground floors under water.
Mr Evans said there was up to 18 inches of floodwater in places and urged motorists to travel only if the trip was absolutely necessary. Norman Evans, of Devon and Somerset Fire Service, said the service had received hundreds of calls.
He said there was up to 18 inches of floodwater in places and urged motorists to travel only if the trip was absolutely necessary.
Road conditions were "atrocious", he said. The worst hit areas were said to be Chard, Ilminster, Shepton Mallet and Street.Road conditions were "atrocious", he said. The worst hit areas were said to be Chard, Ilminster, Shepton Mallet and Street.
Car rescueCar rescue
Map of worst affected areas Map of worst affected areas
In the village of Walton, near Street, residents Jane and Tony Bird said their 11-year-old son, Jack, who had slept on a mattress downstairs with friends, woke up floating.In the village of Walton, near Street, residents Jane and Tony Bird said their 11-year-old son, Jack, who had slept on a mattress downstairs with friends, woke up floating.
And 30 people had to be rescued from cars as parts of Somerset were hit by floods.
Swansea Coastguard has reported that a helicopter has been deployed to flooded areas in the county.Swansea Coastguard has reported that a helicopter has been deployed to flooded areas in the county.
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Flooding scenes in Exeter, Street, Walton, Bruton and Wellington Flooding scenes inStreet, Bruton, Wellington, Exeter and Weymouth
Six people were rescued from their homes in Weymouth in Dorset after a river burst its banks and in Wiltshire, fire crews attended 80 flooded homes and answered a total of 150 calls requesting help. Six people were rescued from their homes in Weymouth in Dorset after a river burst its banks and in Wiltshire, fire crews attended 80 flooded homes and answered a total of 200 calls requesting help.
Fire crews have pumped water out of about 60 properties, and they are warning several households may not be able to return home for days, if not weeks.
Officers are investigating whether the weather was a factor in an accident on the A35 near Poole, which killed a 22-year-old female motorist.
Further north in Cheshire, fire crews rescued a woman from the roof of her car shortly before 0700 GMT after she became stranded because of floodwater in Crewe.Further north in Cheshire, fire crews rescued a woman from the roof of her car shortly before 0700 GMT after she became stranded because of floodwater in Crewe.
Firefighters were also called to homes in Stourbridge, West Midlands, which flooded after overnight downpours, and Warkwickshire Fire and Rescue Service has attended a number of calls. Firefighters were also called to homes in Stourbridge, West Midlands, which flooded after overnight downpours, and Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service has attended a number of calls.
The weather also caused problems for sport, with persistent rain resulting in the abandonment of Cheltenham Racecourse's meeting on Saturday.The weather also caused problems for sport, with persistent rain resulting in the abandonment of Cheltenham Racecourse's meeting on Saturday.
According to BBC weather forecaster Chris Fawkes, the heaviest rain over south-west England has now moved away but showers are due to follow. However, these will not be as heavy as the earlier rainfall.
By the middle of the afternoon, the heaviest rain is expected over the south-east of England, where the Met Office has issued a weather warning for Surrey and East and West Sussex.
West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said it had already dealt with at least a dozen calls from flooded homes in the north of the county.West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said it had already dealt with at least a dozen calls from flooded homes in the north of the county.
According to BBC weather forecaster Chris Fawkes, the heaviest rain over south-west England has now moved away, but showers are due to follow. However, these will not be as heavy as the earlier rainfall.
Stranded sheepStranded sheep
National Rail said train services were subject to "severe delays" on several routes, with a reduced train service running between London Paddington and Bristol Temple Meads.National Rail said train services were subject to "severe delays" on several routes, with a reduced train service running between London Paddington and Bristol Temple Meads.
Services between Paddington and Taunton, Exeter St Davids, Plymouth and Penzance were suspended.Services between Paddington and Taunton, Exeter St Davids, Plymouth and Penzance were suspended.
There were also delays to Southeastern services between Hither Green and Dartford, all trains through Birmingham International station, Virgin Trains services between Rugby and Birmingham New Street and CrossCountry and Chiltern Railways services at Banbury.There were also delays to Southeastern services between Hither Green and Dartford, all trains through Birmingham International station, Virgin Trains services between Rugby and Birmingham New Street and CrossCountry and Chiltern Railways services at Banbury.
Meanwhile, fooding has caused problems for householders in parts of mid and west Wales. Meanwhile, flooding has caused problems for householders in parts of mid and west Wales.
Firefighters pumped out properties in Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire after heavy rain overnight.Firefighters pumped out properties in Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire after heavy rain overnight.
Most calls were in Fishguard, and others in Newcastle Emlyn, Llanelli, Haverfordwest and Pontardawe. The most calls were from Fishguard with others coming from Newcastle Emlyn, Llanelli, Haverfordwest and Pontardawe.
And in Scotland scores of sheep at a farm in Perth were being rescued after being stranded on a hilltop by rising flood waters, the fire service said.And in Scotland scores of sheep at a farm in Perth were being rescued after being stranded on a hilltop by rising flood waters, the fire service said.
The 100-strong flock are on top of a mound in a field in Mains of Aberdalgie Farm. They became trapped when the nearby River Earn burst its banks.The 100-strong flock are on top of a mound in a field in Mains of Aberdalgie Farm. They became trapped when the nearby River Earn burst its banks.
A spokeswoman for Tayside Fire and Rescue Service said the farmer was rescuing the sheep himself, and that the high water levels were caused by snow thawing on the hills and swelling the river.A spokeswoman for Tayside Fire and Rescue Service said the farmer was rescuing the sheep himself, and that the high water levels were caused by snow thawing on the hills and swelling the river.
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