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Flood fears for power substation Fears for drinking water supplies
(about 2 hours later)
Emergency crews are fighting to prevent the flooding of a major electricity substation on the outskirts of Gloucester which feeds 500,000 homes. Drinking water will be in short supply for around 72 hours in the worst-hit areas of Gloucester, Cheltenham and Tewkesbury.
Pumps are being used to keep water out of equipment which supplies homes in the city, Stroud and Cheltenham areas. The pumping plant at Mythe near Tewkesbury was put out of action by the scale of the flooding.
Water supplies in Gloucester have started to dry up after a pumping station failed earlier on Sunday. Emergency crews have also been trying to stop an electricity substation which feeds 500,000 Gloucestershire homes from shutting down.
Water supplies to Cheltenham, Tewkesbury and the surrounding villages are said to be likely to fail later. Instances of panic buying of drinking water have also been reported.
Severn Trent Water said a major pumping plant in Mythe near Tewkesbury had been overwhelmed by flood water. Around 600 water tanks have been drafted in with military to help alleviate the shortage.
Water supplies in Gloucester started to dry up after a pumping station failed earlier on Sunday.
Supplies to Cheltenham, Tewkesbury and the surrounding villages will then be affected.
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 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."
Meanwhile, West Mercia police said their rescue operations were being hampered in some cases by flood sight-seers. A number of abandoned cars had also been broken into by thieves.Meanwhile, West Mercia police said their rescue operations were being hampered in some cases by flood sight-seers. A number of abandoned cars had also been broken into by thieves.
A spokesman said: "Not only are drivers stopping on the roadside to look at and photograph flood scenes, but some are driving past clear flood warning signs."A spokesman said: "Not only are drivers stopping on the roadside to look at and photograph flood scenes, but some are driving past clear flood warning signs."
The station has been evacuated and equipment shut-offThe station has been evacuated and equipment shut-off
He said they were "endangering themselves and their passengers, and possibly causing more work for over-stretched emergency services".He said they were "endangering themselves and their passengers, and possibly causing more work for over-stretched emergency services".
Car owners are being urged to collect their vehicles as soon as possible to avoid opportunist thieves.Car owners are being urged to collect their vehicles as soon as possible to avoid opportunist thieves.
At Stroud Hospital doctors have accepted 11 patients from Tewkesbury Hospital.At Stroud Hospital doctors have accepted 11 patients from Tewkesbury Hospital.
RNLI crews are in the town centre checking properties for stranded people. RNLI crews were in the town centre checking properties for stranded people.
Alan Head, of the RNLI, said his team in Tewkesbury had rescued about 20 people who were caught out by the rising waters.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 just 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 leave their homes in preparation for the Severn bursting its banks. Nearly 500 people in the dockside area of Gloucester are preparing to leave their homes in preparation for the Severn bursting its banks.
No deaths reportedNo deaths reported
Many shops in the Gloucester area have run out of bottled water after shoppers stripped shelves.
Water levels in the city are equal to the 1947 flood, according to many experts.Water levels in the city are equal to the 1947 flood, according to many experts.
Police confirmed that HMP Gloucester which is situated near the docks would not be evacuated in the event of flooding. 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.
Terry Standing, chief fire officer of Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service, said they were poised for breach of the River Severn in Gloucester Quays but by 2200 BST this had still not happened and river water levels had stopped rising. Terry Standing, chief fire officer for Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service, said they were poised for breach of the River Severn in Gloucester Quays but river water levels had stopped rising.
More flood water is expected to arrive in TewkesburyMore flood water is expected to arrive in Tewkesbury
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 urged customers to conserve water, not run baths or to 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. Shona Arora, director of Public Health for Gloucestershire advised anyone affected to conserve water and not to panic buy.
She advised people not to take baths and not to clean up flood damage as that would use up water supply from the mains system.
The Severn Trent spokesman said: "The situation is serious, our pumping and treatment works at Mythe has been flooded by the water.The Severn Trent spokesman said: "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 but is some way off.""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."
Four lorryloads of bottled water for emergency distribution have been sent to Sainsbury's in Barnett Way, Barnwood, Gloucester and Tesco in Quedgeley. Four lorryloads of bottled water for emergency distribution were sent to Sainsbury's in Barnett Way, Barnwood, Gloucester and Tesco in Quedgeley.
'Disrupted' service'Disrupted' service
But each person is being restricted to two bottles although nearly 170 tankers containing fresh water were on their way to ease the situation. But each person is being restricted to two bottles although 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."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 it had managed to run a "reduced and disrupted" service although passengers had been warned to expect cancellations and extended journey times.
Gloucestershire County Council is trying to find suppliers of portable loos to help those without access to toilets.Gloucestershire County Council is 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