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Floods 'overwhelm' pumping plant | Floods 'overwhelm' pumping plant |
(20 minutes later) | |
Drinking water supplies in parts of Gloucestershire could run dry by Sunday evening as a water treatment plant is "overwhelmed". | Drinking water supplies in parts of Gloucestershire could run dry by Sunday evening as a water treatment plant is "overwhelmed". |
Severn Trent Water said a major pumping plant in Mythe near Tewkesbury is flooded and non-operational. | Severn Trent Water said a major pumping plant in Mythe near Tewkesbury is flooded and non-operational. |
The city of Gloucester has been put on a severe flood warning by the Environment Agency. | |
Water levels are 30cm (1ft) short of flood defences around the city, and levels are equal to the 1947 flood. | |
Severe flood warnings are in force for the Rivers Severn and Avon - with water levels due to peak at 1400 BST. | |
Severn Trent Water said the water supply situation was serious and is urging customers to conserve water, not run baths or hose down any dirty areas on Sunday. | |
The situation we are dealing with is truly exceptional and unprecedented Severn Trent Water spokesman | |
"The situation is serious, our pumping and treatment works at Mythe has been flooded by the water. It has been overwhelmed. We cannot remember a time the works itself have ever been flooded like this. It doesn't sit on the flood plain it is some way off. | "The situation is serious, our pumping and treatment works at Mythe has been flooded by the water. It has been overwhelmed. We cannot remember a time the works itself have ever been flooded like this. It doesn't sit on the flood plain it is some way off. |
"Our pumps and processes have had to be switched off. We've had to evacuate the site. | "Our pumps and processes have had to be switched off. We've had to evacuate the site. |
The station has been evacuated and equipment shut-off | The station has been evacuated and equipment shut-off |
"Some treated water is left in our reservoirs serving Cheltenham, Tewkesbury and Gloucester. If people are careful we can maintain the supply a little longer. | "Some treated water is left in our reservoirs serving Cheltenham, Tewkesbury and Gloucester. If people are careful we can maintain the supply a little longer. |
"We are organising staff and putting bowsers out into areas of Gloucester first then Cheltenham and Tewkesbury. | "We are organising staff and putting bowsers out into areas of Gloucester first then Cheltenham and Tewkesbury. |
"The situation we are dealing with is truly exceptional and unprecedented. | "The situation we are dealing with is truly exceptional and unprecedented. |
It will be sometime, at least a couple of days, before we can supply water through the pipes again," he said. | It will be sometime, at least a couple of days, before we can supply water through the pipes again," he said. |
Some supermarkets in Gloucester were reportedly rationing bottled water to one per customer. | Some supermarkets in Gloucester were reportedly rationing bottled water to one per customer. |
The town of Tewkesbury remains virtually cut off. | The town of Tewkesbury remains virtually cut off. |
The Rivers Severn and Avon which join in the town have burst their banks and flooded much of the town and surrounding area. | The Rivers Severn and Avon which join in the town have burst their banks and flooded much of the town and surrounding area. |
More flood water is expected to arrive in Tewkesbury | More flood water is expected to arrive in Tewkesbury |
Rescue boats have been checking properties to check for stranded people. | Rescue boats have been checking properties to check for stranded people. |
Lord Mayor, Philip Awford, said the sheer volume of rain simply could not be planned for. | Lord Mayor, Philip Awford, said the sheer volume of rain simply could not be planned for. |
The RNLI has moved lifeboats to Gloucester fire station in readiness for flood water from Tewkesbury arriving in Gloucester later on Sunday. | The RNLI has moved lifeboats to Gloucester fire station in readiness for flood water from Tewkesbury arriving in Gloucester later on Sunday. |
Rail operator First Great Western said a "reduced and disrupted" service was being run and passengers were being warned of cancellations and extended journey times. | Rail operator First Great Western said a "reduced and disrupted" service was being run and passengers were being warned of cancellations and extended journey times. |
'Flash warning' | 'Flash warning' |
It said there would be no service from Gloucester to Worcester and Great Malvern and a significantly reduced service between Swindon and Gloucester via Kemble on Sunday. | It said there would be no service from Gloucester to Worcester and Great Malvern and a significantly reduced service between Swindon and Gloucester via Kemble on Sunday. |
The Met Office has issued a flash warning of heavy rain for Gloucestershire and Herefordshire until 1500 BST on Sunday. | The Met Office has issued a flash warning of heavy rain for Gloucestershire and Herefordshire until 1500 BST on Sunday. |
It said heavy showers may give up to 15 to 20mm of rain before becoming more isolated later on Sunday. | It said heavy showers may give up to 15 to 20mm of rain before becoming more isolated later on Sunday. |
The British Red Cross has been on duty helping hundreds of people affected by the flooding. | The British Red Cross has been on duty helping hundreds of people affected by the flooding. |
BBC Radio Gloucestershire is running special programming with regular updates on the flooding. | BBC Radio Gloucestershire is running special programming with regular updates on the flooding. |
It can be heard on 1413 MW, 104.7, 95.0, 95.8 FM, and online bbc.co.uk/gloucestershire | It can be heard on 1413 MW, 104.7, 95.0, 95.8 FM, and online bbc.co.uk/gloucestershire |