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Flood lessons 'must be learned' Flood lessons 'must be learned'
(about 1 hour later)
Lessons must be learned from the floods, Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said, after severe weather caused chaos across parts of England and Wales.Lessons must be learned from the floods, Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said, after severe weather caused chaos across parts of England and Wales.
Thousands were forced into emergency centres overnight and schoolchildren and drivers were left stranded.Thousands were forced into emergency centres overnight and schoolchildren and drivers were left stranded.
The RAF said it had carried out one of its biggest peacetime rescues. More heavy rain was due in the south-east and 12 severe flood warnings remain.The RAF said it had carried out one of its biggest peacetime rescues. More heavy rain was due in the south-east and 12 severe flood warnings remain.
Mr Brown said the way transport and drainage had coped would be assessed.Mr Brown said the way transport and drainage had coped would be assessed.
He said the flooding had been "an emergency that no-one could have predicted".He said the flooding had been "an emergency that no-one could have predicted".
"One of the issues that will arise is how co-ordinated the services are between the Highways Agency and the Environment Agency, in this particular instance, where people have been inconvenienced using transport, whether it's the roads or the railways," Mr Brown said."One of the issues that will arise is how co-ordinated the services are between the Highways Agency and the Environment Agency, in this particular instance, where people have been inconvenienced using transport, whether it's the roads or the railways," Mr Brown said.
TRAVEL CHAOS Heathrow airport - delays possible, check with operator before travellingM5 - open in both directions, traffic improvingCentral/Virgin Trains - many services from Birmingham New St suspendedFirst Great Western - services disrupted between Oxford, Reading, Swindon, Newbury, Hereford and GloucesterM50 - back open in both directionsWest Midlands - many roads closed, including parts of A46 and A49 Latest from BBC Travel Heathrow flight backlogTRAVEL CHAOS Heathrow airport - delays possible, check with operator before travellingM5 - open in both directions, traffic improvingCentral/Virgin Trains - many services from Birmingham New St suspendedFirst Great Western - services disrupted between Oxford, Reading, Swindon, Newbury, Hereford and GloucesterM50 - back open in both directionsWest Midlands - many roads closed, including parts of A46 and A49 Latest from BBC Travel Heathrow flight backlog
"Now these are lessons we can learn for the future.""Now these are lessons we can learn for the future."
Tory leader David Cameron said he wanted to see "concerted action" from the government and welcomed the inquiry into the flood response launched by Environment Secretary Hilary Benn last week.Tory leader David Cameron said he wanted to see "concerted action" from the government and welcomed the inquiry into the flood response launched by Environment Secretary Hilary Benn last week.
"We also need to look at the issue of hardship funds," Mr Cameron said."We also need to look at the issue of hardship funds," Mr Cameron said.
"There will be some people who are not insured and will have lost furniture and possessions. Of course, people should have insurance, but many don't and may be left with nothing, and a hardship fund is one way of helping these people.""There will be some people who are not insured and will have lost furniture and possessions. Of course, people should have insurance, but many don't and may be left with nothing, and a hardship fund is one way of helping these people."
The Liberal Democrats accused ministers of failing to prepare for the crisis.The Liberal Democrats accused ministers of failing to prepare for the crisis.
YOUR PICTURES Your images of flooding from around the countryYOUR PICTURES Your images of flooding from around the country
Environment spokesman Chris Huhne said: "The government has been far too slow to wake up to the potentially devastating effects of extreme rainfall overwhelming drains and sewers.Environment spokesman Chris Huhne said: "The government has been far too slow to wake up to the potentially devastating effects of extreme rainfall overwhelming drains and sewers.
"We do not even know the areas at greatest risk, and responsibility is dangerously split between councils and water companies.""We do not even know the areas at greatest risk, and responsibility is dangerously split between councils and water companies."
As the worst of the problems appeared to be clearing, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) said the final bill for damage and disruption was expected to run into "hundreds of millions".
A statement from the ABI said insurers would be arranging inspections of homes, getting people into temporary accommodation and making interim payments.
Families were forced to spend the night on the M5 while about 20 children remain trapped at the Vale of Evesham Special School in Evesham.Families were forced to spend the night on the M5 while about 20 children remain trapped at the Vale of Evesham Special School in Evesham.
The pupils look set to spend a second night there after police turned back parents attempting to reach them through the floodwaters.The pupils look set to spend a second night there after police turned back parents attempting to reach them through the floodwaters.
Meanwhile, West Mercia Police say thieves have been breaking into abandoned vehicles in Herefordshire and Worcestershire.Meanwhile, West Mercia Police say thieves have been breaking into abandoned vehicles in Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
Emergency rescuesEmergency rescues
The West Midlands Ambulance Service has made a plea for people not to call unless they are in a life-threatening situation.The West Midlands Ambulance Service has made a plea for people not to call unless they are in a life-threatening situation.
And Hereford and Worcester Fire Service said it had received more than 2,000 calls in 27 hours. It has so far rescued more than 750 people who were stranded in cars, caravans, houses and boats. Hereford and Worcester Fire Service, which received more than 2,000 calls and rescued more than 750 people, said by Saturday evening things had begun to calm down.
A spokesman said the flooding in Evesham, in particular, was as bad as the fire service had ever tackled. "We have moved from life-threatening widespread flooding, to widespread flooding that sits around the river systems," said assistant chief fire officer Mike Redfern.
Shirley Start, who owns a hotel in Evesham, told BBC News 24 she was trapped in the upper storeys with 40 guests.Shirley Start, who owns a hotel in Evesham, told BBC News 24 she was trapped in the upper storeys with 40 guests.
Thousands of motorists were stranded overnight on the M5Thousands of motorists were stranded overnight on the M5
"We have got electricity, but there is no food now so we're waiting for the Army to bring food and fresh water to us," she said."We have got electricity, but there is no food now so we're waiting for the Army to bring food and fresh water to us," she said.
Elsewhere, Gloucestershire Police have appealed to people not to go into centres of Gloucester and Cheltenham on Saturday evening for their own safety.Elsewhere, Gloucestershire Police have appealed to people not to go into centres of Gloucester and Cheltenham on Saturday evening for their own safety.
The transport network has also been hit, with congestion reported at Heathrow airport and on many roads and rail services, on one of the busiest weekends of the year at the start of many school holidays.The transport network has also been hit, with congestion reported at Heathrow airport and on many roads and rail services, on one of the busiest weekends of the year at the start of many school holidays.
Many rail services have been cancelled, with no replacement bus service because roads have been closed. The Highways Agency said by Saturday evening motorways and trunk roads were no longer affected by flood-related incidents.
However, many rail services have been cancelled and some smaller roads remain closed.
Police in Worcestershire and Herefordshire have warned holidaymakers against travel through the counties for at least 24 hours.Police in Worcestershire and Herefordshire have warned holidaymakers against travel through the counties for at least 24 hours.
Two months' rainTwo months' rain
The Environment Agency has issued 11 severe flood warnings for the Midlands alone, with parts of the Rivers Severn, Avon, Dene, Isbourne, Stour and Teme affected.The Environment Agency has issued 11 severe flood warnings for the Midlands alone, with parts of the Rivers Severn, Avon, Dene, Isbourne, Stour and Teme affected.
And it has warned that Oxford, Berkshire and London are at "serious risk" of flooding in the coming two days after some areas received more than two months' rain in just 24 hours.And it has warned that Oxford, Berkshire and London are at "serious risk" of flooding in the coming two days after some areas received more than two months' rain in just 24 hours.
The main developments include:
    		The main developments include:
    • Lifeboat crews rescued holidaymakers stranded on top of their caravans in Droitwich, Kidderminster, Wick, Pershore and Hawford
    • Lifeboat crews rescued holidaymakers stranded on top of their caravans in Droitwich, Kidderminster, Wick, Pershore and Hawford
    • About 2,000 people spent the night in emergency centres in Tewkesbury, Gloucester, Cheltenham, Chipping Campden and Moreton in Marsh
    • About 2,000 people spent the night in emergency centres in Tewkesbury, Gloucester, Cheltenham, Chipping Campden and Moreton in Marsh
    • Twenty-two schoolchildren and eight members of staff from Blackwood school in Newport, Gwent spent the night in Ludlow's leisure centre overnight when they were stranded by the floods
    • Twenty-two schoolchildren and eight members of staff from Blackwood school in Newport, Gwent spent the night in Ludlow's leisure centre overnight when they were stranded by the floods
      • HAVE YOUR SAY No wonder there's so much flooding. The roadside drains are simply not cleaned out until people actually complain to their councils. Craig, Bradford Send us your experiences Lincoln flood warningsHAVE YOUR SAY No wonder there's so much flooding. The roadside drains are simply not cleaned out until people actually complain to their councils. Craig, Bradford Send us your experiences Lincoln flood warnings
    • In Birmingham 200 people were evacuated from Witton and Tame Roads in the Aston district when the River Tame overflowed at about midnight
    • In Birmingham 200 people were evacuated from Witton and Tame Roads in the Aston district when the River Tame overflowed at about midnight
    • Lincolnshire County Council said the flooding was worse on Saturday than on Friday, with widespread road flooding across the county, including Louth and Horncastle
    • Lincolnshire County Council said the flooding was worse on Saturday than on Friday, with widespread road flooding across the county, including Louth and Horncastle
    • About 70 homes and shops in Buckingham have been flooded following rising levels on the River Ouse. More than 2,500 sandbags have been used to try to limit the damage to property
    • About 70 homes and shops in Buckingham have been flooded following rising levels on the River Ouse. More than 2,500 sandbags have been used to try to limit the damage to property
    • The RSPCA have dealt with cattle up to their shoulders in water near Shrewsbury, and six cats and two boa constrictors in a flooded home near Evesham. Emus and sheep were also caught in high water
    • The RSPCA have dealt with cattle up to their shoulders in water near Shrewsbury, and six cats and two boa constrictors in a flooded home near Evesham. Emus and sheep were also caught in high water
      • About 100 people have also been airlifted to safety by RAF helicopter crews, most from the Gloucester, Evesham and Tewkesbury areas.About 100 people have also been airlifted to safety by RAF helicopter crews, most from the Gloucester, Evesham and Tewkesbury areas.
      The prime minister praised the "superb" efforts of the emergency services and "huge contribution" of the Armed Forces to the rescue effort.The prime minister praised the "superb" efforts of the emergency services and "huge contribution" of the Armed Forces to the rescue effort.
      BBC broadcast meteorologist Susan Powell said heavy, thundery showers were expected in the South East on Saturday night.BBC broadcast meteorologist Susan Powell said heavy, thundery showers were expected in the South East on Saturday night.
      Some rain could push into the south Midlands, but areas previously worst-hit would be spared, she said.Some rain could push into the south Midlands, but areas previously worst-hit would be spared, she said.
      She added that Sunday would be drier for most parts, but further heavy rain could arrive across England and Wales on Monday, possibly leading to further disruption and flooding.She added that Sunday would be drier for most parts, but further heavy rain could arrive across England and Wales on Monday, possibly leading to further disruption and flooding.