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Residents braced for more floods Flooding threat to power station
(about 1 hour later)
Thousands living along the River Thames are bracing themselves for rising flood levels, due to peak at midnight. The government's emergency response committee has met amid fears a power substation supplying thousands of homes in Gloucester may be lost to flooding.
Thousands of homes are without water and electricity as the flooding crisis continues in central and west England. The Cobra meeting came amid mounting concern the Walham station cannot be saved and as many as 250,000 people could lose power and water supplies.
The government's emergency responses committee has met amid fears a power station in Gloucester may be flooded. Gordon Brown has assured the area of government support if it closes.
There is mounting concern the Walham station cannot be saved and as many as 250,000 people in the area could lose both power and water supplies. Residents along the Thames in Berkshire and Oxfordshire are bracing themselves for possible flooding overnight.
BBC political editor Nick Robinson said it was understood that around midnight would be the critical time for the station. Almost 350,000 homes are without running water and some 50,000 are without power as the flooding crisis continues in central and west England. It is understood the prime minister has spoken to Gloucestershire Chief Constable Tim Brain about the threat to the substation.
The armed forces were drafted in to help emergency services build a temporary barrier around the switching station, which also provides power to water pumping equipment, but it is feared that these measures may not be enough to save it. BBC political editor Nick Robinson said it was understood that around midnight would be the critical time for the Walham station.
If Walham is lost it is thought it could take at least five days to get the power back, our correspondent added. The armed forces were earlier drafted in to help emergency services build a temporary barrier around the switching station, which also provides power to water pumping equipment, but it is feared that these measures may not be enough to save it.
The ministerial-level meeting of the committee, Cobra, comes after it emerged that the water levels of both the Thames and Severn have exceeded those of devastating floods in 1947. If Walham is lost it is thought it could take at least five days to get the power back, but contingency plans are being examined to provide alternative power and water supplies to customers, our correspondent added.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said he will set up a review of the crisis. National Grid spokeswoman Sarah Harris said everything possible was being done to stop the station from going down.
The ministerial-level meeting of Cobra came after it emerged that the water levels of both the Thames and Severn have exceeded those of devastating floods in 1947.
Mr Brown has said he will set up a review of the crisis.
See map of severe flood warnings See map of severe flood warnings
Mr Brown flew by helicopter over Gloucestershire before heading to the police headquarters where the emergency response is being co-ordinated. Earlier he flew by helicopter over Gloucestershire before heading to the police headquarters where the county's emergency response is being co-ordinated.
Floods: At-a-glance Your stories of the floodsFloods: At-a-glance Your stories of the floods
The Environment Agency said water levels on the Thames in Oxford are expected to peak at midnight, while the River Severn at Gloucester could peak early on Tuesday.The Environment Agency said water levels on the Thames in Oxford are expected to peak at midnight, while the River Severn at Gloucester could peak early on Tuesday.
Severe flood warnings are in place for the Midlands, Oxfordshire and Bedfordshire. At their height, some rivers will be more than 20ft higher than normal.Severe flood warnings are in place for the Midlands, Oxfordshire and Bedfordshire. At their height, some rivers will be more than 20ft higher than normal.
The Environment Agency has issued eight severe flood warnings and says the situation is "critical".The Environment Agency has issued eight severe flood warnings and says the situation is "critical".
There are four in the Midlands, for the River Avon and River Severn between Worcester, Tewkesbury and Gloucester.There are four in the Midlands, for the River Avon and River Severn between Worcester, Tewkesbury and Gloucester.
Top Gear's Richard Hammond joined the rescue effort in TirleyTop Gear's Richard Hammond joined the rescue effort in Tirley
Severn Trent Water earlier warned all residents in Gloucester, Cheltenham and Tewkesbury would lose their supply by Monday evening due to a treatment works being flooded.Severn Trent Water earlier warned all residents in Gloucester, Cheltenham and Tewkesbury would lose their supply by Monday evening due to a treatment works being flooded.
The situation is expected to last several days, it said.The situation is expected to last several days, it said.
Elsewhere in Gloucestershire, 15,000 homes are still without power after a major electricity substation at Castlemeads was turned off because of the rising water.Elsewhere in Gloucestershire, 15,000 homes are still without power after a major electricity substation at Castlemeads was turned off because of the rising water.
Army deployedArmy deployed
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-upon-Severn.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-upon-Severn.
ENGLAND FLOODED Gloucestershire flood chaos Severe warning on Ouse Worcester residents affected More fears for Oxfordshire West Midlands travel chaos Clean-up in LincolnshireENGLAND FLOODED Gloucestershire flood chaos Severe warning on Ouse Worcester residents affected More fears for Oxfordshire West Midlands travel chaos Clean-up in Lincolnshire
Warwickshire and Berkshire have also been badly affected and severe warnings remain in place for Oxfordshire.Warwickshire and Berkshire have also been badly affected and severe warnings remain in place for Oxfordshire.
Residents at risk of flooding in Oxford have been told to leave their homes as water levels are expected to rise.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.Some homes in Oxford, Abingdon, Kidlington and Bladon have already been flooded and conditions are expected to deteriorate.
Other main developments include:Other main developments include:
  • Environment Secretary Hilary Benn told the House of Commons the emergency was "far from over" and further flooding was "very likely". An independent person would head the flood review announced by the prime minister, he confirmed.
  • Environment Secretary Hilary Benn told the House of Commons the emergency was "far from over" and further flooding was "very likely". An independent person would head the flood review announced by the prime minister, he confirmed.
HAVE YOUR SAY We must now look at proper regional controls and answers for surface water problems Ted Smith, Worcester Send us your experiences
  • Environment Agency chief executive Baroness Young told the BBC that about £1bn a year was needed to improve flood defences.
    		• HAVE YOUR SAY We must now look at proper regional controls and answers for surface water problems Ted Smith, Worcester Send us your experiences
  • Environment Agency chief executive Baroness Young told the BBC that about £1bn a year was needed to improve flood defences.
  • The Association of British Insurers has said the total bill for the June and July floods could reach £2bn.
    		•
  • The Association of British Insurers has said the total bill for the June and July floods could reach at least £2bn.
  • The RAF said it is carrying out its biggest ever peacetime operation, with six Sea King helicopters rescuing up to 120 people.
  • The RAF said it has been carrying out its biggest ever peacetime operation, with six Sea King helicopters rescuing up to 120 people.
    • Environment Agency floodline: 0845 988 1188 Environment Agency floodline: 0845 988 1188 name="anchor"> SEVERE FLOOD WARNINGS IN PLACE The Severn: Severe warnings for Gloucester, Tewkesbury and Worcester The Thames: Severe warnings affecting Eynsham to Sandford Lock and also Little WittenhamThe Ock: Severe warnings from Charney Bassett to AbingdonThe Great Ouse: Severe warnings from Turvey to SharnbrookThe Avon: Severe warnings at Evesham
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    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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