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Flood risk remains as rivers rise Flood crisis grows as rivers rise
(about 2 hours later)
The flooding crisis in central and southern England continues as Britain's two biggest rivers, the Severn and the Thames, threaten to overflow. The flooding crisis in central and western England continues as Britain's two biggest rivers, the Severn and the Thames, threaten to overflow.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown is visiting Gloucestershire, the worst-affected county, where thousands of people have been left without water supply.Prime Minister Gordon Brown is visiting Gloucestershire, the worst-affected county, where thousands of people have been left without water supply.
About 43,000 homes have also lost power after an electricity substation in Gloucester was closed after flooding. About 40,000 homes have also lost power after an electricity substation in Gloucester was closed after flooding.
In Oxford, 1,500 people have been evacuated to a football stadium. Rivers are expected to reach a "critical" level in some areas.
Severe flood warnings are in place for the Midlands, Oxfordshire and Bedfordshire.
A spokesman for the Environment Agency said the River Severn and the Thames would continue to swell until Tuesday.
Other main developments include:
  • Environment Agency chief executive Baroness Young told the BBC that about £1bn a year was needed to improve flood defences.
  • Environment Secretary Hilary Benn defended the government's flood response, saying conditions were "unprecedented".
  • Parts of Worcestershire are under 6ft (1.82m) of water and up to 4,000 people in and around Bromyard in Herefordshire are without water after a treatment works near Worcester was flooded.
  • Some 70,000 residents of Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire have been cut off, with roads in and out of the town impassable.
  • Meanwhile, the Association of British Insurers has said the total bill for the June and July floods could reach £2bn.
    • YOUR PICTURES Your images of flooding from around the country
    Mr Brown flew by helicopter over Gloucestershire before heading to the police headquarters where the emergency response is being co-ordinated.Mr Brown flew by helicopter over Gloucestershire before heading to the police headquarters where the emergency response is being co-ordinated.
    Water conservation
    Severn Trent Water says 150,000 homes are without water in the county after a treatment works was flooded.Severn Trent Water says 150,000 homes are without water in the county after a treatment works was flooded.
    The taps have run dry in many parts of Gloucester and some areas of Cheltenham are also being warned supplies may run out.The taps have run dry in many parts of Gloucester and some areas of Cheltenham are also being warned supplies may run out.
    People are being urged not to panic buy and to do all they could to conserve water.People are being urged not to panic buy and to do all they could to conserve water.
    Peter Bungard from Gloucestershire County Council told BBC Five Live about 300,000 people had been affected by the loss of supply and the county faced a "lot of challenges".Peter Bungard from Gloucestershire County Council told BBC Five Live about 300,000 people had been affected by the loss of supply and the county faced a "lot of challenges".
    YOUR PICTURES Your images of flooding from around the country Tap water 'could run dry'
    Bottled water was being provided and a number of water bowsers being deployed to the area, he said.Bottled water was being provided and a number of water bowsers being deployed to the area, he said.
    Elsewhere in Gloucestershire, 43,000 homes were left without power after a major electricity substation was turned off because of the rising water.Elsewhere in Gloucestershire, 43,000 homes were left without power after a major electricity substation was turned off because of the rising water.
    A spokesman for the Central Networks Castle Meads substation said areas of Gloucester, parts of Cheltenham and some homes across the county border in Herefordshire had been affected. ENGLAND FLOODED class="" href="/1/hi/england/gloucestershire/6911270.stm">Power out in Gloucester class="" href="/1/hi/england/beds/bucks/herts/6911319.stm">Severe warning on Ouse class="" href="/1/hi/england/hereford/worcs/6910528.stm">Worcester residents affected class="" href="/1/hi/england/oxfordshire/6911321.stm">More fears for Oxfordshire class="" href="/1/hi/england/coventry_warwickshire/6911415.stm">Levels fall in Warwickshire class="" href="/1/hi/england/berkshire/6910522.stm">Residents warned in Berkshire
    At a second substation in the city, the RAF and firefighters have been battling through the night to stop the floods entering the plant. A spokesman for the Central Networks Castlemeads substation said areas of Gloucester, parts of Cheltenham and some homes across the county border in Herefordshire had been affected.
    Around 3,000 households later had power restored after their supply was switched to an alternative source.
    At a second substation at Walham, Gloucester, the RAF and firefighters have been battling through the night to stop the floods entering the plant.
    Assistant chief fire officer Chris Griffin said he believed the situation was now under control.Assistant chief fire officer Chris Griffin said he believed the situation was now under control.
    "Hopefully without too much more activity from the water level, we'll be able to keep the electricity substation dry and therefore still keeping the electricity flowing to Gloucestershire," he said."Hopefully without too much more activity from the water level, we'll be able to keep the electricity substation dry and therefore still keeping the electricity flowing to Gloucestershire," he said.
    The county council has appealed to builders merchants to supply "dumpy bags" - giant sandbags - to help the operation.The county council has appealed to builders merchants to supply "dumpy bags" - giant sandbags - to help the operation.
    Electricity supplier Central Networks has advised customers to ring 0800 328 1111 to report loss of supply.Electricity supplier Central Networks has advised customers to ring 0800 328 1111 to report loss of supply.
    The Environment Agency has described the situation in the south-west Midlands and Oxfordshire is "critical". Over the border, parts of Worcestershire were under 6ft of water and the Army has been deployed to help emergency services provide supplies to people in Upton-on-Severn.
    Warwickshire and Berkshire have also been badly affected and severe warnings remain in place for Oxfordshire.
    HAVE YOUR SAY We must now look at proper regional controls and answers for surface water problems Ted Smith, Worcester Send us your experiences Army called in with suppliesHAVE YOUR SAY We must now look at proper regional controls and answers for surface water problems Ted Smith, Worcester Send us your experiences Army called in with supplies
    John Kelly, Oxford's Emergency Planning Officer, said evacuees were staying at Oxford United's football stadium. Residents at risk of flooding in Oxford have been told to leave their homes as water levels are expected to rise.
    Some homes in Oxford, Abingdon, Kidlington and Bladon have already been flooded and conditions are expected to deteriorate.
    John Kelly, Oxford's Emergency Planning Officer, said 1,500 evacuees were expected at Oxford United's football stadium.
    Bill Oddy, from West Oxford District Council, said the area could experience further flooding problems.Bill Oddy, from West Oxford District Council, said the area could experience further flooding problems.
    "Clearly, we're concerned for the next 48 hours. The River Thames is still rising, so we're now preparing for further flooding.""Clearly, we're concerned for the next 48 hours. The River Thames is still rising, so we're now preparing for further flooding."
    Other main developments include:
    • Water levels in the River Severn at Gloucester are running at a height of 34ft (10.4m). Flood defences are 35ft (10.7m). Flood water levels are now said to be at the same level as the 1947 floods.
  • Environment Agency chief executive Baroness Young told the BBC that about £1bn a year was needed to improve flood defences.
  • Environment Secretary Hilary Benn defended the government's flood response, saying conditions were "unprecedented".
  • Parts of Worcestershire are under 6ft (1.82m) of water and up to 4,000 people in and around Bromyard in Herefordshire are without water after a treatment works near Worcester was flooded.
  • Some 70,000 residents of Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire have been cut off, with roads in and out of the town impassable.
  • Meanwhile, the Association of British Insurers has said the total bill for the June and July floods could reach £2bn.
    • The Environment Agency has issued five severe flood warnings in the Midlands, for the River Avon and River Severn between Evesham, Tewkesbury and Gloucester.
    Clive Guest returned to devastation in his flood-hit homeIn pictures
    Three severe flood warnings are in place for Oxfordshire, from Eynsham to Abingdon.
    Meanwhile, the government is expected to announce on Monday that it is rejecting calls to stop building houses on flood plains, despite the recent extensive flooding.Meanwhile, the government is expected to announce on Monday that it is rejecting calls to stop building houses on flood plains, despite the recent extensive flooding.
    A draft of the Housing Green Paper, which was obtained by the BBC, says it is "not realistic" to rule out new developments in areas at risk of flooding.A draft of the Housing Green Paper, which was obtained by the BBC, says it is "not realistic" to rule out new developments in areas at risk of flooding.
    Despite the heightened risk of flooding to central and southern England, the Met Office does not have any severe weather warnings in place. The Environment Agency has issued nine severe flood warnings.
    There are five in the Midlands for the River Avon and River Severn between Evesham, Tewkesbury and Gloucester.
    Clive Guest returned to devastation in his flood-hit homeIn pictures
    Three severe flood warnings are in place for Oxfordshire, from Eynsham to Abingdon, and one has been issued for River Great Ouse from Turvey to Sharnbrook in Bedfordshire.
    Joe Giacomelli, a spokesman for the Environment Agency, said the situation was "looking critical".
    BBC forecaster Chris Fawkes said the heaviest rain was due to fall in southern England in an area between the Isle of Wight and Suffolk, where an inch of rain could fall on Monday.BBC forecaster Chris Fawkes said the heaviest rain was due to fall in southern England in an area between the Isle of Wight and Suffolk, where an inch of rain could fall on Monday.
    He also said Gloucestershire and Worcestershire could see 10 or 15 millimetres of rainfall.He also said Gloucestershire and Worcestershire could see 10 or 15 millimetres of rainfall.
    Environment Agency floodline: 0845 988 1188Environment Agency floodline: 0845 988 1188
    Have you been affected by the lack of clean water supplies in your area? The BBC would like to hear about your experiences. Please use the form below to send us your details or you can text us on 61124.Have you been affected by the lack of clean water supplies in your area? The BBC would like to hear about your experiences. Please use the form below to send us your details or you can text us on 61124.
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