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Flash flooding affects South West Flash flooding affects South West
(30 minutes later)
Extensive flash flooding has hit the south-west of England overnight, according to the emergency services.Extensive flash flooding has hit the south-west of England overnight, according to the emergency services.
Somerset and Devon were especially badly hit, with up to 18 inches of floodwater in places, said Norman Evans of Devon and Somerset Fire Service.Somerset and Devon were especially badly hit, with up to 18 inches of floodwater in places, said Norman Evans of Devon and Somerset Fire Service.
Seven people were rescued from their cars in separate incidents when they became stuck in floodwater in Devon.Seven people were rescued from their cars in separate incidents when they became stuck in floodwater in Devon.
And the Environment Agency has one severe flood warning in place for the River Lyd in Lydney, Gloucestershire.And the Environment Agency has one severe flood warning in place for the River Lyd in Lydney, Gloucestershire.
Mr Evans said the service had received hundreds of calls, and crews had been dealing with up to 10 rescues involving flooded homes or vehicles.Mr Evans said the service had received hundreds of calls, and crews had been dealing with up to 10 rescues involving flooded homes or vehicles.
He urged motorists to travel only if the trip was absolutely necessary.He urged motorists to travel only if the trip was absolutely necessary.
Flood warningsFlood warnings
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.
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 thirty people had to be rescued from cars as parts of Somerset were hit by flash floods.And thirty people had to be rescued from cars as parts of Somerset were hit by flash floods.
The Environment Agency has a severe flood warning in place for the River Lyd and a further 34 flood warnings across south-west England with parts of Glastonbury, Yeovil, Shepton Mallet and Chard being the worst hit.The Environment Agency has a severe flood warning in place for the River Lyd and a further 34 flood warnings across south-west England with parts of Glastonbury, Yeovil, Shepton Mallet and Chard being the worst hit.
There is also a warning of severe rain for Wiltshire.There is also a warning of severe rain for Wiltshire.
According to BBC weather forecaster Chris Fawkes, the heaviest rain over the south-west has now moved away but showers are due to follow. However, these will not be as heavy as the earlier rainfall.According to BBC weather forecaster Chris Fawkes, the heaviest rain over the south-west has now moved away but showers are due to follow. However, these will not be as heavy as the earlier rainfall.
The heaviest rain is now expected over the south-east of England, where the Met Office has issued a weather warning for Surrey and East and West Sussex.The heaviest rain is now expected over the south-east of England, where the Met Office has issued a weather warning for Surrey and East and West Sussex.
By the middle of the afternoon, the more intense bursts of rain are expected to move into the east of the country.By the middle of the afternoon, the more intense bursts of rain are expected to move into the east of the country.
Stranded sheepStranded sheep
Swansea Coastguard report that a helicopter has been deployed to flooded areas in Somerset.Swansea Coastguard report that a helicopter has been deployed to flooded areas in Somerset.
And rail passengers at Reading station say platforms are crowded, after trains bound for the south-west were turned back because of flooding.And rail passengers at Reading station say platforms are crowded, after trains bound for the south-west were turned back because of flooding.
Meanwhile, scores of sheep at a farm in Scotland are being rescued after being stranded on a hilltop by rising flood waters, the fire service said.Meanwhile, scores of sheep at a farm in Scotland are 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 in Perth. 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 in Perth. 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.
And in Cheshire, fire crews rescued a woman from the roof of her car shortly before 0700 BST after she became stranded because of floodwater in Crewe.
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