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Flooded city loses water supplies Flood fears for power substation
(about 1 hour later)
Emergency crews are fighting to prevent the flooding of a major electricity substation near outskirts of Gloucester which feeds 500,000 homes.
Pumps are being used to keep water out of equipment which supplies homes in Gloucester, Stroud and Cheltenham area.
Water supplies in Gloucester have started to dry 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.
Water supplies to Cheltenham, Tewkesbury and the surrounding villages are said to be likely to fail 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.
Emergency crews are fighting to prevent the flooding of a major electricity substation near outskirts of Gloucester which feeds 500,000 homes.
Sandbags have been put around the substation which supplies homes in the Gloucester, Stroud and Cheltenham area.
In a separate incident 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.The Rivers Severn and Avon which join in Tewkesbury have burst their banks and flooded much of the town and surrounding area.
Speaking at 1715 BST a Severn Trent Water spokesman, said: "The majority of people in Gloucester, Cheltenham and Tewkesbury still have a supply of water but it's literally now very very imminent that water is starting to fail Patients moved
Speaking at 1715 BST, a Severn Trent Water spokesman said: "The majority of people in Gloucester, Cheltenham and Tewkesbury still have a supply of water but it's literally now very, very imminent that water is starting to fail.
"That's likely to be experienced in Gloucester first, with Cheltenham following and Tewkesbury.""That's likely to be experienced in Gloucester first, with Cheltenham following and Tewkesbury."
Stroud Hospital has received 11 patients from Tewkesbury hospital.. Stroud Hospital has received 11 patients from Tewkesbury hospital.
The station has been evacuated and equipment shut-off
RNLI boats are in the town centre checking properties for stranded people.RNLI boats are in the town centre checking properties for stranded people.
Alan Head from the RNLI says his team in Tewkesbury rescued about 20 people who were caught out by the rising water. Alan Head, of the RNLI, said his team in Tewkesbury rescued about 20 people who were caught out by the rising water.
"Everyone doesn't expect it to be as bad as it is. And certainly the people we've evacuated,
"One lady was 94 and she's lived in Tewkesbury all her life and she said she's never seen anything like it, so I guess to a degree it has caught people out just the severity.
"And I think one of the things that's important is that flood water is incredibly dangerous and I don't think people really understand that," he said.
Record levels
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.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. Many shops in the Gloucester area have run out of bottled water after shoppers stripped shelves.
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.
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.
'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.
More flood water is expected to arrive in TewkesburyMore flood water is expected to arrive in Tewkesbury
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.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."
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