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New flood alerts as waters rise Flood fears remain as rain eases
(about 2 hours later)
Oxford, Berkshire and parts of London will be at "serious risk of flooding" on Sunday, says the Environment Agency.Oxford, Berkshire and parts of London will be at "serious risk of flooding" on Sunday, says the Environment Agency.
There are eight severe flood warnings in place for Sunday, with seven for the Midlands and one for part of the River Thames in Oxfordshire.There are eight severe flood warnings in place for Sunday, with seven for the Midlands and one for part of the River Thames in Oxfordshire.
More than 750 people stranded in cars, caravans, houses and boats were rescued from flooding in Worcestershire.More than 750 people stranded in cars, caravans, houses and boats were rescued from flooding in Worcestershire.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has praised the emergency services and promised money and help for residents.Prime Minister Gordon Brown has praised the emergency services and promised money and help for residents.
Around 100 people in Worcestershire had to be airlifted to safety by the Royal Air Force, while more than a thousand spent the night in emergency rest centres. Sutton and East Surrey Water has warned 80,000 households and businesses in Sutton to boil tap water before drinking it after the firm discovered rain had leaked into a tank of water which had gone out to customers.
John Parry of Oxfordshire County Council said people should "consider moving upstairs, or consider staying with family or friends". Operations director Mike Hegarty said: "The water is perfectly safe to use for other purposes, including washing, bathing and toilet flushing."
Meanwhile, Oxfordshire is preparing for more localised flooding by closing roads and issuing residents with sandbags to protect their homes.
John Parry, of Oxfordshire County Council, said people should "consider moving upstairs, or consider staying with family or friends".
And police have advised anyone travelling through Hereford and Worcestershire to pack supplies and warm clothing as more rain is predicted.
Around 100 people in Worcestershire had to be airlifted to safety by the Royal Air Force, while more than a 1,000 spent the night in emergency rest centres.
Despite the heightened risk of flooding to central and southern England, the Met Office does not have any severe weather warnings in place.Despite the heightened risk of flooding to central and southern England, the Met Office does not have any severe weather warnings in place.
BBC forecaster Chris Fawkes said that parts of the country will experience scattered showers on Sunday, but there will be plenty of sunshine, and patchy rain will appear in Wales during the morning. BBC forecaster Chris Fawkes said parts of the country will experience scattered showers on Sunday, but there will be plenty of sunshine, and patchy rain will appear in Wales during the morning.
There will be also outbreaks of rain across the north east of Scotland, which could lead to heavier bursts.There will be also outbreaks of rain across the north east of Scotland, which could lead to heavier bursts.
YOUR PICTURES Your images of flooding from around the countryYOUR PICTURES Your images of flooding from around the country
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) said the final bill for damage and disruption was expected to run into "hundreds of millions".The Association of British Insurers (ABI) said the final bill for damage and disruption was expected to run into "hundreds of millions".
Kelly Ostler of the ABI told the BBC that reports of householders not being able to get insurance unless they protected their homes against flooding were inaccurate. Kelly Ostler, of the ABI, told the BBC reports of householders not being able to get insurance unless they protected their homes against flooding were inaccurate.
"We have - the industry that is - has a statement of principles with the government that says any home that has insurance at the moment, household and buildings insurance, for flooding and they have maintained flood defences by the government in the area, then they will always have flood cover.""We have - the industry that is - has a statement of principles with the government that says any home that has insurance at the moment, household and buildings insurance, for flooding and they have maintained flood defences by the government in the area, then they will always have flood cover."
Emergency rescuesEmergency rescues
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. Hereford and Worcester Fire Service, which received more than 2,000 calls and rescued more than 750 people, said by Sunday things had begun to calm down.
Mike Redfern, Assistant Chief Fire Officer in Hereford and Worcester, said: "We've got flood watches, flood alerts, on all the main river systems and we're watching that very closely," adding that the situation was now "fairly well under control".
Elsewhere, Gloucestershire Police appealed to people not to go into the centres of Gloucester and Cheltenham on Saturday evening for their own safety.Elsewhere, Gloucestershire Police appealed to people not to go into the centres of Gloucester and Cheltenham on Saturday evening for their own safety.
The Highways Agency said by Saturday evening motorways and trunk roads were no longer affected by flood-related incidents.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.However, many rail services have been cancelled and some smaller roads remain closed.
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
Police in Worcestershire and Herefordshire have warned holidaymakers against travel through the counties for at least 24 hours.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown praised the "superb" efforts of the emergency services and "huge contribution" of the Armed Forces to the rescue effort.Prime Minister Gordon Brown praised the "superb" efforts of the emergency services and "huge contribution" of the Armed Forces to the rescue effort.
He also said the flooding had been "an emergency that no-one could have predicted".He also said the flooding had been "an emergency that no-one could have predicted".
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
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 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