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Flood-hit UK braced for more rain | Flood-hit UK braced for more rain |
(22 minutes later) | |
Britain is set to be hit by more heavy rain following severe floods which claimed the lives of four people. | Britain is set to be hit by more heavy rain following severe floods which claimed the lives of four people. |
Forecasters say up 50mm of rain could fall in parts of the country on Saturday, and the Met Office has issued an early warning of severe weather. | Forecasters say up 50mm of rain could fall in parts of the country on Saturday, and the Met Office has issued an early warning of severe weather. |
Fire crews have been working non-stop and have rescued around 3,500 people this week. | Fire crews have been working non-stop and have rescued around 3,500 people this week. |
The Fire Brigades Union chief has described the rescue effort as the "biggest in peacetime Britain". | The Fire Brigades Union chief has described the rescue effort as the "biggest in peacetime Britain". |
'Underestimated' | 'Underestimated' |
General Secretary Matt Wrack said the fire service had received more than 7,300 calls to flood-related incidents on Monday and Tuesday and warned it was being stretched to the "point of collapse". | General Secretary Matt Wrack said the fire service had received more than 7,300 calls to flood-related incidents on Monday and Tuesday and warned it was being stretched to the "point of collapse". |
He accused the government of underestimating the scale of the flood, which has also claimed more than 600 casualties. | He accused the government of underestimating the scale of the flood, which has also claimed more than 600 casualties. |
"The government has not understood the scale, gravity and severity of what has happened," he said. | "The government has not understood the scale, gravity and severity of what has happened," he said. |
Hundreds of families in the worst-hit areas are still unable to return to their homes and thousands are still without power. | Hundreds of families in the worst-hit areas are still unable to return to their homes and thousands are still without power. |
But Rotherham Borough Council has said the risk that the Ulley dam could be breached has "significantly reduced". | But Rotherham Borough Council has said the risk that the Ulley dam could be breached has "significantly reduced". |
However, more rain is predicted. | However, more rain is predicted. |
There is expected to be rainfall of 15-25mm on Saturday, although some places could see 40-50mm. | There is expected to be rainfall of 15-25mm on Saturday, although some places could see 40-50mm. |
'Quite nasty' | 'Quite nasty' |
BBC weather forecaster Jay Wynne said: "Today it's a pretty reasonable day. One or two light showers. There will be some rain overnight. | BBC weather forecaster Jay Wynne said: "Today it's a pretty reasonable day. One or two light showers. There will be some rain overnight. |
"The main event is going to be this weekend. There will be plenty of wet, windy weather across the country on Saturday. | "The main event is going to be this weekend. There will be plenty of wet, windy weather across the country on Saturday. |
"It could be quite nasty. The good thing is it's not going to be a stalled weather front where it's stuck in the same place. This system will be moving through." | "It could be quite nasty. The good thing is it's not going to be a stalled weather front where it's stuck in the same place. This system will be moving through." |
How flood-hit residents are coping with the big clear-upIn pictures | How flood-hit residents are coping with the big clear-upIn pictures |
This week's floods have been most severe in Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and the Midlands. | This week's floods have been most severe in Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and the Midlands. |
The Queen has expressed her shock at the devastation caused by the flooding. She said her thoughts were with people who had lost family, friends and homes. | The Queen has expressed her shock at the devastation caused by the flooding. She said her thoughts were with people who had lost family, friends and homes. |
And Prince Charles intends to visit flood victims on Friday. | |
A huge operation has been undertaken to pump out water from the reservoir behind the Ulley dam and reinforce the embankment. | A huge operation has been undertaken to pump out water from the reservoir behind the Ulley dam and reinforce the embankment. |
The M1 reopened as a result but police warned it could be closed again at short notice if the risk from the dam increased. | The M1 reopened as a result but police warned it could be closed again at short notice if the risk from the dam increased. |
HAVE YOUR SAY People are trying to clean their houses but are worried the nearby dam may burst Melanie, Rotherham Send us your comments | HAVE YOUR SAY People are trying to clean their houses but are worried the nearby dam may burst Melanie, Rotherham Send us your comments |
The search for a man reported to have fallen into a flooded drainage dyke near Doncaster, South Yorkshire, has been called off after nothing was found. | The search for a man reported to have fallen into a flooded drainage dyke near Doncaster, South Yorkshire, has been called off after nothing was found. |
Police say they are satisfied that the initial call was a false alarm. | Police say they are satisfied that the initial call was a false alarm. |
Flood warnings | Flood warnings |
One of the flood-related deaths occurred at Hessle, near Hull, when Michael Barnett, 28, got stuck in a drain. | One of the flood-related deaths occurred at Hessle, near Hull, when Michael Barnett, 28, got stuck in a drain. |
In Sheffield, Peter Harding, 68, died in floodwater after leaving his car. | In Sheffield, Peter Harding, 68, died in floodwater after leaving his car. |
In a separate incident in the city, 14-year-old Ryan Parry was killed when he was swept away in the River Sheaf at Millhouses. | In a separate incident in the city, 14-year-old Ryan Parry was killed when he was swept away in the River Sheaf at Millhouses. |
At Pershore, Worcestershire, county court judge Eric Dickinson, 68, was found dead in his submerged car. | At Pershore, Worcestershire, county court judge Eric Dickinson, 68, was found dead in his submerged car. |
The Environment Agency has in place 12 severe flood warnings and 67 standard flood warnings. | The Environment Agency has in place 12 severe flood warnings and 67 standard flood warnings. |