This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/6256288.stm

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 7 Version 8
More rain prompts new flood alert More rain prompts new flood alert
(about 8 hours later)
Emergency teams are on standby in flood-hit areas of the UK in case further downpours add to the problems.Emergency teams are on standby in flood-hit areas of the UK in case further downpours add to the problems.
The BBC Weather Centre said 30mm could hit Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and the Midlands in the next 24 hours. Forecasters said up to 20mm (0.8in) of rain could fall in parts of England and Wales, with possible localised floods.
Troops have joined fire and lifeboat crews in South Yorkshire, where some areas remain badly affected by floods.Troops have joined fire and lifeboat crews in South Yorkshire, where some areas remain badly affected by floods.
The Environment Agency said there was a risk of more flooding, but it was not likely to be as severe as earlier in the week, when four people died. The Environment Agency said the general situation had eased overnight, and rain is expected to be lighter than earlier this week when four people died.
The agency said the heaviest rains had fallen outside the flooded areas over the last few days and the situation across the Midlands had greatly improved with river levels starting to fall.
The five severe flood warnings that remain in force across South Yorkshire are centred on the swollen River Don. There are 22 standard warnings in force, eight across Lincolnshire and 14 in Yorkshire.
HAVE YOUR SAY The Government needs to build a comprehensive flood protection system Nick, Oxford Send us your comments
BBC weather forecaster Penny Tranter said: "Overnight rain has moved away and we're left with some fairly swift-moving heavy showers across England and Wales.
"In terms of heavy rain, it will not be as bad as it has been. There's a risk of localised flooding."
Up to 25mm (1in) of rain fell on Saturday.
Rest centres have been made ready and at-risk areas have been sand-bagged. Residents in some areas have been urged to pack emergency bags in case of evacuation.Rest centres have been made ready and at-risk areas have been sand-bagged. Residents in some areas have been urged to pack emergency bags in case of evacuation.
A national flood support centre has been set up in Worcester to respond to further outbreaks of severe weather.A national flood support centre has been set up in Worcester to respond to further outbreaks of severe weather.
HAVE YOUR SAY The Government needs to build a comprehensive flood protection system Nick, Oxford Send us your comments
The worst-hit areas are at Bentley and Toll Bar near Doncaster, where giant pumps are being used to carry water from the deluged village via hosepipe to the River Don two miles away.The worst-hit areas are at Bentley and Toll Bar near Doncaster, where giant pumps are being used to carry water from the deluged village via hosepipe to the River Don two miles away.
Doncaster North MP Ed Miliband said he was looking into how he could help his constituents.Doncaster North MP Ed Miliband said he was looking into how he could help his constituents.
"This is no normal situation, this is a real, very very bad serious emergency situation. "This is no normal situation, this is a real, very, very bad serious emergency situation.
"That's why we've got the pumping equipment in, and it's why also I am talking to government colleagues about what more can be done to help people financially and in other ways to help them out of their situation.""That's why we've got the pumping equipment in, and it's why also I am talking to government colleagues about what more can be done to help people financially and in other ways to help them out of their situation."
Further developments include:Further developments include:
    • Electricity has been restored to more than 80,000 homes affected by rains and flooding in South Yorkshire, but 400 homes still have no power
    • Electricity has been restored to more than 80,000 homes affected by rains and flooding in South Yorkshire, but 400 homes still have no power
    • Rainfall of 15-25mm (0.6-1in) is predicted across many parts of England and Wales but there could be up to 40mm in some places
      		•
    • West Yorkshire Police said four people were arrested on Saturday for theft from flooded properties in Wakefield and that officers were patrolling the area
    • West Yorkshire Police said four people were arrested for theft from flooded properties in Wakefield and that officers were patrolling the area
    • People in high-risk areas of Lincolnshire were urged to call the floodline on 08459 881 188 before going to bed on Saturday, and listen to the radio for updates if the flood warning siren sounded
    • More than 350 people were evacuated from their homes in north Doncaster after the river burst its banks, and firefighters are pumping water out of the area
    • More than 350 people were evacuated from their homes in north Doncaster after the river burst its banks, and firefighters are pumping water out of the area
    • The Association of British Insurers (ABI) said so far 27,000 homes and 5,000 businesses had been affected across the country and that clean-up costs could reach £1bn
    • The Association of British Insurers (ABI) said so far 27,000 homes and 5,000 businesses had been affected across the country and that clean-up costs could reach £1bn
      • Meanwhile, the Environment Agency is calling on the government to find more cash to encourage farmers to manage their land in a way that would prevent flooding.Meanwhile, the Environment Agency is calling on the government to find more cash to encourage farmers to manage their land in a way that would prevent flooding.
      Insurance bills for the clean up could reach £1bn experts said Insurance bills for the clean up could reach £1bn, experts said
      The agency's head, Baroness Young, says money should be diverted from the basic farm subsidy and given to those farmers who are prepared to give up the intensive techniques experts say make flooding more likely.The agency's head, Baroness Young, says money should be diverted from the basic farm subsidy and given to those farmers who are prepared to give up the intensive techniques experts say make flooding more likely.
      She says farmers should be paid to plant more trees, allow land beside rivers to flood when necessary and to turn ploughed fields into meadows.She says farmers should be paid to plant more trees, allow land beside rivers to flood when necessary and to turn ploughed fields into meadows.
      But correspondent Miriam O'Reilly, of BBC Radio 4's Farming Today, said experts had acknowledged that the recent rainfall had been so heavy that no amount of money could have prevented rivers from bursting their banks.But correspondent Miriam O'Reilly, of BBC Radio 4's Farming Today, said experts had acknowledged that the recent rainfall had been so heavy that no amount of money could have prevented rivers from bursting their banks.
      Two people died in Sheffield, including a teenage boy, a man died in Hull and a driver died in Worcestershire during the flooding earlier in the week.Two people died in Sheffield, including a teenage boy, a man died in Hull and a driver died in Worcestershire during the flooding earlier in the week.