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Disruption continues after floods Disruption continues after floods
(18 minutes later)
Travel chaos and major disruption has continued after heavy floods in England and Wales caused damage estimated at hundreds of millions of pounds. Travel chaos and major disruption has continued after heavy floods in England caused damage estimated at hundreds of millions of pounds.
Rain will continue to fall over the next few days but forecasters say there will be no repeat of Monday's deluge.Rain will continue to fall over the next few days but forecasters say there will be no repeat of Monday's deluge.
It emerged four had died in the floods, after a man's body was found in a submerged car in Worcestershire.It emerged four had died in the floods, after a man's body was found in a submerged car in Worcestershire.
Thousands have been forced from their homes and there are still fears Ulley dam, South Yorkshire, could collapse.Thousands have been forced from their homes and there are still fears Ulley dam, South Yorkshire, could collapse.
The Association of British Insurers estimates the cost of the flood damage is likely to run into hundreds of millions of pounds, and has called on the government to spend more on flood defences.The Association of British Insurers estimates the cost of the flood damage is likely to run into hundreds of millions of pounds, and has called on the government to spend more on flood defences.
Floodplains are called floodplains for a reason - they flood Prof Bob SpicerOpen University Dam wait continues Are flood defences working? In pictures: Yorkshire delugeFloodplains are called floodplains for a reason - they flood Prof Bob SpicerOpen University Dam wait continues Are flood defences working? In pictures: Yorkshire deluge
Ministers have offered emergency aid to the worst affected areas to help with the cost of the clear-up.Ministers have offered emergency aid to the worst affected areas to help with the cost of the clear-up.
David Rooke, head of flood risk at the Environment Agency, said the situation was "still very difficult" in parts of Yorkshire and the Midlands.David Rooke, head of flood risk at the Environment Agency, said the situation was "still very difficult" in parts of Yorkshire and the Midlands.
"But the situation is improving, river levels are dropping and obviously a massive clean up is under way," he said."But the situation is improving, river levels are dropping and obviously a massive clean up is under way," he said.
BBC weather forecaster Penny Tranter said there was more rain to come, but nothing as extreme as Monday.BBC weather forecaster Penny Tranter said there was more rain to come, but nothing as extreme as Monday.
Flood deathsFlood deaths
In South Yorkshire, about 700 people have left the villages of Whiston, Canklow, and Catcliffe and Treeton, as engineers continue to work on securing the Ulley dam.In South Yorkshire, about 700 people have left the villages of Whiston, Canklow, and Catcliffe and Treeton, as engineers continue to work on securing the Ulley dam.
In Sheffield, about 900 people are using emergency shelters and 16,000 people in the city are still without electricity.In Sheffield, about 900 people are using emergency shelters and 16,000 people in the city are still without electricity.
On Monday, a 68-year-old man was killed after being swept away as he tried to cross a road in central Sheffield.On Monday, a 68-year-old man was killed after being swept away as he tried to cross a road in central Sheffield.
In a separate incident in the city a 14-year-old boy, named as Ryan Joe Parry, was killed after falling into the River Sheaf at Millhouses.In a separate incident in the city a 14-year-old boy, named as Ryan Joe Parry, was killed after falling into the River Sheaf at Millhouses.
A third person, Mike Barnett, 28, died after becoming trapped in a storm drain in Hull.A third person, Mike Barnett, 28, died after becoming trapped in a storm drain in Hull.
Tony Blair expressed his sympathy to the families of the dead and those displaced by what he described as an "extraordinary and very serious event".Tony Blair expressed his sympathy to the families of the dead and those displaced by what he described as an "extraordinary and very serious event".
Environment Secretary David Miliband told the House of Commons there were no reports of flood defences failing but said the government would "consider lessons learned".Environment Secretary David Miliband told the House of Commons there were no reports of flood defences failing but said the government would "consider lessons learned".
'Fallen short''Fallen short'
Experts are warning it is likely that such flooding will happen again in the future.Experts are warning it is likely that such flooding will happen again in the future.
Bob Spicer, professor of earth sciences at the Open University, said human activity was one of the causes of the floods.Bob Spicer, professor of earth sciences at the Open University, said human activity was one of the causes of the floods.
Rail services resume Villagers rescuedRail services resume Villagers rescued
"One of the reasons why we've got this catastrophic flooding is that we've spent an awful lot of time building on floodplains.""One of the reasons why we've got this catastrophic flooding is that we've spent an awful lot of time building on floodplains."
He said concreting floodplains "overwhelms the surface channels and the sewage systems and we get floods".He said concreting floodplains "overwhelms the surface channels and the sewage systems and we get floods".
"Floodplains are called floodplains for a reason - they flood. That tends to be where we build, because it's easier.""Floodplains are called floodplains for a reason - they flood. That tends to be where we build, because it's easier."
The Environment Agency has in place 18 severe flood warnings and 97 standard flood warnings.The Environment Agency has in place 18 severe flood warnings and 97 standard flood warnings.
A recent report from the National Audit Office said the Environment Agency had fallen short in the area of flood defences.A recent report from the National Audit Office said the Environment Agency had fallen short in the area of flood defences.
It said that overall there had been little improvement in the past six years and that the agency was missing its targets.It said that overall there had been little improvement in the past six years and that the agency was missing its targets.
The Environment Agency has advised people worried about flooding to call its Flood Line on 08459 881 188.The Environment Agency has advised people worried about flooding to call its Flood Line on 08459 881 188.