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Torrential rain sweeps across UK | Torrential rain sweeps across UK |
(20 minutes later) | |
Torrential rain is sweeping across the UK, with flash floods leaving some homes waterlogged and schools closed. | Torrential rain is sweeping across the UK, with flash floods leaving some homes waterlogged and schools closed. |
The band of severe weather has hit southern and central England and Wales, and will move north to reach Scotland and Northern Ireland over the weekend. | The band of severe weather has hit southern and central England and Wales, and will move north to reach Scotland and Northern Ireland over the weekend. |
Rain is falling at up to 18mm (0.7in) an hour and some areas could see levels reach 100mm (3.9in) in 24 hours. | Rain is falling at up to 18mm (0.7in) an hour and some areas could see levels reach 100mm (3.9in) in 24 hours. |
The Environment Agency has two flood warnings and the Met Office has severe weather warnings for England and Wales. | The Environment Agency has two flood warnings and the Met Office has severe weather warnings for England and Wales. |
Car rescue | |
Many areas of Berkshire have been affected by flash flooding, where at least two schools - in Maidenhead and Windsor - have been closed. | |
Maidenhead council said it has had dozens of calls from people whose homes have flooded and at least one woman had to be rescued from her car. | |
A National Trust property, Basildon Park, in the west of the county has been closed because shops and the car park are flooded. | |
South Wales firefighters have received reports of flooding in Barry in the Vale of Glamorgan. | |
On one road, members of the public have requested sandbags and a fire service dinghy has been sent. | |
Roads flooded | Roads flooded |
BBC weather forecaster Rob McElwee said most counties west of London, and as far north as Manchester, were affected. | BBC weather forecaster Rob McElwee said most counties west of London, and as far north as Manchester, were affected. |
He said: "The whole lot will move slowly northwards and during Saturday it will be trying to cover Scotland and Northern Ireland." | He said: "The whole lot will move slowly northwards and during Saturday it will be trying to cover Scotland and Northern Ireland." |
Julia Abbott, from BBC Travel, said roads were being affected by flooding and surface spray mostly in south-east and south-west England. | Julia Abbott, from BBC Travel, said roads were being affected by flooding and surface spray mostly in south-east and south-west England. |
They include the M4 and A404 in Berkshire, the A421 in Buckinghamshire and the A443 in Worcestershire. | They include the M4 and A404 in Berkshire, the A421 in Buckinghamshire and the A443 in Worcestershire. |
Residents evacuated | Residents evacuated |
The Environment Agency's flood warnings are both in north east England, on the River Hull. | The Environment Agency's flood warnings are both in north east England, on the River Hull. |
The Met Office's severe weather warnings are for the whole of England and Wales on Friday and Saturday. | The Met Office's severe weather warnings are for the whole of England and Wales on Friday and Saturday. |
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 side roads 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 side roads off the A66 are still closed. |
School holidays | School holidays |
People across the country have been told the weather could lead to flooding and cause disruption to outdoor events and transport networks. | People across the country have been told the weather could lead to flooding and cause disruption to outdoor events and transport networks. |
The Highways Agency has warned rain and spray can reduce visibility and more than double the distance it takes vehicles to stop. | The Highways Agency has warned rain and spray can reduce visibility and more than double the distance it takes vehicles to stop. |
Greater numbers of motorists than normal are expected to take to the roads because it is the start of the school holidays in many areas. | Greater numbers of motorists than normal are expected to take to the roads because it is the start of the school holidays in many areas. |
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. |
Tory leader David Cameron is to visit an area of Lincoln on Friday afternoon to see the damage caused by the recent floods. | Tory leader David Cameron is to visit an area of Lincoln on Friday afternoon to see the damage caused by the recent floods. |
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. | 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 |