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Flood fears for power substation 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. Emergency crews are fighting to prevent the flooding of a major electricity substation on the 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. Pumps are being used to keep water out of equipment which supplies homes in the city, Stroud and Cheltenham areas.
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.
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.
Patients movedPatients 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. Speaking shortly after 1700 BST on Sunday, a 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." 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-offThe station has been evacuated and equipment shut-off
RNLI boats are in the town centre checking properties for stranded people. RNLI crews are in the town centre checking properties for stranded people.
Alan Head, of the RNLI, said 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 had rescued about 20 people who were caught out by the rising waters.
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 just 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 leave their homes in preparation for the Severn bursting its banks.
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. Many shops in the Gloucester area have run out of bottled water after shoppers stripped shelves.
'Next four hours' Water levels in the city are equal to the 1947 flood, according to many experts.
Police confirmed that HMP Gloucester which is situated near to the docks would not be evacuated in the event of flooding. No deaths reported
Police confirmed that HMP Gloucester which is situated near 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" related 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 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.
"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 urged customers to conserve water, not run baths or to 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 Severn Trent spokesman said: "The situation is serious, our pumping and treatment works at Mythe has been flooded by the water.
Four lorryloads of bottled water forr emergency distribution have been sent to Sainsbury's in Barnett Way, Barnwood, Gloucester and Tesco in Quedgeley. "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 but is some way off."
Two bottles are being allowed per person. 'Disrupted' service
A Severn Trent Water spokesman said 165 tankers containing fresh water were on their way to help the situation. Four lorryloads of bottled water for emergency distribution have been sent to Sainsbury's in Barnett Way, Barnwood, Gloucester and Tesco in Quedgeley.
"Yorkshire Water, Anglia Water and Thames Water have all offered their services to help Severn Trent and the Army may be used to distribute the water to areas most in need. But each person is being restricted to two bottles although nearly 170 tankers containing fresh water were on their way to ease the situation.
"Yorkshire Water, Anglia Water and Thames Water have all offered their services to help Severn Trent and the Army may be used to distribute the water to areas most in need," the spokesman added.
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.
The council is also urgently trying to find suppliers of portable loos to help those without access to toilets.The council is also urgently trying to find suppliers of portable loos to help those without access to toilets.
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