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Flooded city loses water supplies Flooded city loses water supplies
(20 minutes later)
Water supplies in parts of Gloucester have dried up after a pumping station failed earlier on Sunday. Water supplies in Gloucester have started to dry up after a pumping station failed earlier on Sunday.
Treated water supplies to Cheltenham, Tewkesbury and the surrounding villages are expected to run out later. Water supplies to Cheltenham, Tewkesbury and the surrounding villages are said to be likely to fail later.
Severn Trent Water said a major pumping plant in Mythe near Tewkesbury had been overwhelmed by flood water.Severn Trent Water said a major pumping plant in Mythe near Tewkesbury had been overwhelmed by flood water.
More than 200 people in the dockside area of Gloucester are preparing to evacuate their homes in preparation for the River Severn bursting its banks. Emergency crews are fighting to prevent the flooding of a major electricity substation near outskirts of Gloucester which feeds 500,000 homes.
Emergency services are fighting to prevent the flooding of a major electricity substation on the outskirts of Gloucester. Sandbags have been put around the substation at Walham which supplies homes in the Gloucester, Stroud and Cheltenham area.
They are planning to use boons to prevent water entering the substation. Central Networks said power to the Priors Park area of Tewkesbury was likely to go off soon. The Rivers Severn and Avon which join in Tewkesbury have burst their banks and flooded much of the town and surrounding area.
Central Networks said power to the Priors Park area of Tewkesbury is likely to go off soon. About 20 patients are being evacuated from Tewkesbury Hospital, and Stroud Hospital is on standby to receive the patients.
The nearby town of Tewkesbury remains virtually cut off by the water.
The Rivers Severn and Avon which join in the town have burst their banks and flooded much of the town and surrounding area.
About 20 patients are being evacuated from Tewkesbury hospital and Stroud hospital is on standby to receive the patients.
RNLI boats are in the town centre checking properties for stranded people.RNLI boats are in the town centre checking properties for stranded people.
Record levelsRecord levels
The city of Gloucester has been put on a severe flood warning with water 30cm (1ft) short of flood defences. Gloucester has been put on a severe flood warning with water 30cm (1ft) short of flood defences.
More than 200 people in the dockside area of Gloucester are preparing to evacuate their homes in preparation for the Severn bursting its banks.
Water levels in the city are equal to the 1947 flood.Water levels in the city are equal to the 1947 flood.
The situation we are dealing with is truly exceptional and unprecedented Severn Trent Water spokesman The station has been evacuated and equipment shut-off
The river is expected to reach record levels as more and more floodwater flows into it from other rain-swamped areas.The river is expected to reach record levels as more and more floodwater flows into it from other rain-swamped areas.
Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue service said it was in the process of removing people from the area which consists mainly of warehouses and business premises.Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue service said it was in the process of removing people from the area which consists mainly of warehouses and business premises.
Many shops in the Gloucester area have run out of bottled water after shoppers stripped shelves.Many shops in the Gloucester area have run out of bottled water after shoppers stripped shelves.
'Next four hours''Next four hours'
Police confirmed that HMP Gloucester which is situated near to the docks would not be evacuated in the event of flooding.Police confirmed that HMP Gloucester which is situated near to the docks would not be evacuated in the event of flooding.
Chief constable Dr Tim Brain said many of the county's roads had re-opened and there had been no reports of deaths or missing persons associated with the floods.Chief constable Dr Tim Brain said many of the county's roads had re-opened and there had been no reports of deaths or missing persons associated with the floods.
Dr Brain said there had been no confirmed reports of "extraordinary criminal activity" relating to the flood situation.Dr Brain said there had been no confirmed reports of "extraordinary criminal activity" relating to the flood situation.
Terry Standing, chief fire officer of Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service said: "We are poised for a breach of the River Severn in Gloucester Quays. More flood water is expected to arrive in Tewkesbury
The station has been evacuated and equipment shut-off Terry Standing, chief fire officer of Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "We are poised for a breach of the River Severn in Gloucester Quays.
"We believe that this will take place at some point in the afternoon, probably within the next four hours.""We believe that this will take place at some point in the afternoon, probably within the next four hours."
Severe flood warnings are in force for the Rivers Severn and Avon.Severe flood warnings are in force for the Rivers Severn and Avon.
Severn Trent Water said the water supply situation was serious and was urging customers to conserve water, not run baths or hose down any dirty areas on Sunday.Severn Trent Water said the water supply situation was serious and was urging customers to conserve water, not run baths or hose down any dirty areas on Sunday.
It said 130,000 properties were affected.It said 130,000 properties were affected.
"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.
'Can't get into homes'
"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."
More flood water is expected to arrive in Tewkesbury
Edna Mills is a volunteer at a Scout headquarters in Tewkesbury which has become a 24-hour emergency centre:
"There are people who can't get into their homes. They've lost all their bedding and everything -- so we are just trying to help out as much as we can.
"It's food drink and we were very kindly donated duvets by the Red Cross. The water is rising rapidly. I've never seen it this bad all the time I've lived in Tewkesbury."
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.
Gloucestershire County Council is appealing for sightseers to stay away from the area as it is hampering rescue services and warning it could be dangerous as water levels rise.Gloucestershire County Council is appealing for sightseers to stay away from the area as it is hampering rescue services and warning it could be dangerous as water levels rise.
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/gloucestershireIt can be heard on 1413 MW, 104.7, 95.0, 95.8 FM, and online bbc.co.uk/gloucestershire