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| Rain and thunder sweeps across UK | Rain and thunder sweeps across UK |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| A prolonged period of heavy rain and thunder will sweep across the UK on Friday, forecasters have said. | A prolonged period of heavy rain and thunder will sweep across the UK on Friday, forecasters have said. |
| The band of severe weather has hit southern parts of England and Wales, and is set to move into central areas in the afternoon. | The band of severe weather has hit southern parts of England and Wales, and is set to move into central areas in the afternoon. |
| Rainfall totals of between 20mm and 40mm are expected widely but some areas could see levels reach 100mm. | Rainfall totals of between 20mm and 40mm are expected widely but some areas could see levels reach 100mm. |
| The Environment Agency has six flood warnings in place covering parts of Lincolnshire and Yorkshire. | The Environment Agency has six flood warnings in place covering parts of Lincolnshire and Yorkshire. |
| The Met Office has issued early severe weather warnings covering the whole of England. | The Met Office has issued early severe weather warnings covering the whole of England. |
| Disruption possible | Disruption possible |
| It said it was impossible to say which areas would see the heaviest rain but said southern and central areas of England were most at risk. | It said it was impossible to say which areas would see the heaviest rain but said southern and central areas of England were most at risk. |
| A spokesman highlighted Birmingham, the M5/M4 corridor and the Cotswolds as areas which could see the worst of the weather. | A spokesman highlighted Birmingham, the M5/M4 corridor and the Cotswolds as areas which could see the worst of the weather. |
| Residents have been evacuated from villages in North Yorkshire after Skeeby Beck burst its banks. | Residents have been evacuated from villages in North Yorkshire after Skeeby Beck burst its banks. |
| Up to 25 fire crews have been dispatched, but North Yorkshire Police have said that flooding has "subsided significantly". | Up to 25 fire crews have been dispatched, but North Yorkshire Police have said that flooding has "subsided significantly". |
| The villages affected include Gilling West, where 30 homes have been evacuated, Scotch Corner, Melsonby, Kirby Hill, Middleton Tyas and Ravensworth, while a number of sideroads off the A66 are still closed. | The villages affected include Gilling West, where 30 homes have been evacuated, Scotch Corner, Melsonby, Kirby Hill, Middleton Tyas and Ravensworth, while a number of sideroads off the A66 are still closed. |
| Forecasters predict that the rain will move northwards on Saturday, and that more heavy showers are likely in east and central areas on Sunday. | Forecasters predict that the rain will move northwards on Saturday, and that more heavy showers are likely in east and central areas on Sunday. |
| People across the country were warned the weather could lead to flooding and cause disruption to outdoor events and transport networks. | People across the country were warned the weather could lead to flooding and cause disruption to outdoor events and transport networks. |
| The Met Office has been working closely with the Highways Agency to warn motorists about the dangers of driving in heavy rain. | The Met Office has been working closely with the Highways Agency to warn motorists about the dangers of driving in heavy rain. |
| They are concerned greater numbers of motorists than normal will take to the roads because it is the start of the school holidays in many areas. | They are concerned greater numbers of motorists than normal will take to the roads because it is the start of the school holidays in many areas. |
| Clean-up | Clean-up |
| Road users in the West Midlands particularly were advised that heavy rain could affect their journeys. | Road users in the West Midlands particularly were advised that heavy rain could affect their journeys. |
| The Highways Agency warned rain and spray can reduce visibility and more than double the distance it takes to stop. | The Highways Agency warned rain and spray can reduce visibility and more than double the distance it takes to stop. |
| "Drivers are advised to use headlights and keep well back from the vehicle in front," a spokesman said. | "Drivers are advised to use headlights and keep well back from the vehicle in front," a spokesman said. |
| Meanwhile, Tory leader David Cameron is to visit an area of Lincoln on Friday afternoon to see the damage caused by the recent floods. | Meanwhile, Tory leader David Cameron is to visit an area of Lincoln on Friday afternoon to see the damage caused by the recent floods. |
| Mr Cameron will meet residents affected by flooding and those involved in the clean-up operation. | Mr Cameron will meet residents affected by flooding and those involved in the clean-up operation. |
| In June, four people died in floods which inundated parts of the Midlands and Yorkshire, with more than 30,000 homes and 7,000 businesses affected. | In June, four people died in floods which inundated parts of the Midlands and Yorkshire, with more than 30,000 homes and 7,000 businesses affected. |
| Have you been affected by severe weather? Tell us where you are and what conditions are like. You can send your comments using the form below: | Have you been affected by severe weather? Tell us where you are and what conditions are like. You can send your comments using the form below: |
| You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial 61124. | |
| Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |
| Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video | Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video |