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City 'about to lose water supply' City 'about to lose water supply'
(30 minutes later)
Water supplies in Gloucester could run out by 1600 BST on Sunday, Severn Trent Water has said. Water supplies in Gloucester could run out by 1600 BST on Sunday.
Treated water supplies to Cheltenham, Tewkesbury and the surrounding villages is expected to run out later. Treated water supplies to Cheltenham, Tewkesbury and the surrounding villages are expected to run out later.
Severn Trent Water said a major pumping plant in Mythe near Tewkesbury has been overwhelmed by flood water and put out of action. Severn Trent Water said a major pumping plant in Mythe near Tewkesbury had been overwhelmed by flood water and put out of action.
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.
The town of Tewkesbury remains virtually cut off.
The city of Gloucester has been put on a severe flood warning with water 30cm (1ft) short of flood defences.The city of Gloucester has been put on a severe flood warning with water 30cm (1ft) short of flood defences.
Water levels are equal to the 1947 flood. Water levels in the city 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.
It said 130,000 properties are affected.
The situation we are dealing with is truly exceptional and unprecedented Severn Trent Water spokesmanThe situation we are dealing with is truly exceptional and unprecedented Severn Trent Water spokesman
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.
'Next four hours'
Police confirmed that HMP Gloucester which is situated near to the docks would not be evacuated in the event of flooding.
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.
The station has been evacuated and equipment shut-off
"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.
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.
Many shops in the Gloucester area have run out of bottled water after shoppers stripped shelves.
"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 'Can't get into homes'
"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. 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: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."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. "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."
It's getting higher and a lot of people are stranded because they've come into the town and the roads now are closed and they can't get out," she said. Sightseers stay away
Many shops in the Gloucester area have run out of bottled water after shoppers stripped shelves.
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
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.
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' Gloucestershire County Council is appealling for sightseers to stay away from the area as it is hampering rescue services and warning it could be dangerous as water levels rise.
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.
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.
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