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Floods threaten power substation Floods threaten power substation
(about 6 hours later)
The government's emergency responses committee has met amid fears a power substation supplying thousands of homes in Gloucester may be lost to flooding. Emergency crews have worked through the night in one of the areas worst hit by flooding to protect a power substation serving thousands of homes.
The Cobra meeting came amid mounting concern the Walham station would not be saved and as many as 250,000 people would lose power and water supplies. Government emergency committee Cobra had earlier met amid fears 250,000 people would lose power and water if Gloucester's Walham station was lost.
Gordon Brown has assured the area of government support if it closes. Gloucestershire police said the situation was now under control.
Residents along the Thames in Berkshire and Oxfordshire are bracing themselves for possible flooding overnight. Flooding in central and western England has left at least 350,000 homes without running water and 50,000 without power.
Temporary barrierTemporary barrier
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. Elsewhere in Gloucestershire, power has been restored 15,000 homes which lost supplies after Castlemeads electricity substation was turned off because of rising waters.
It is understood the prime minister has spoken to Gloucestershire Chief Constable Tim Brain about the threat to the substation. Bottled water is being distributed in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire class="" href="/1/hi/uk/6911778.stm">Floods: At-a-glance class="" href="/1/hi/uk/6911945.stm">Your stories of the floods
BBC political editor Nick Robinson said it was understood that around midnight would be the critical time. Residents along the Thames in Berkshire and Oxfordshire had been bracing themselves for possible flooding overnight.
The Environment Agency said the River Severn at Gloucester had peaked 2in (50mm) below the main wall protecting the station, suggesting the fears may prove unfounded. The Environment Agency has seven severe flood warnings in place - three on the Severn, two on the Thames, and one each on the Great Ouse in Bedfordshire and the Ock in Oxfordshire.
The agency said the Severn at Gloucester and the Thames at Abingdon and Henley have already peaked.
The Thames will peak at Oxford early on Tuesday, and the Great Ouse will peak at Bedford later in the morning.
Gordon Brown has assured the area of government support if the Walham substation is forced to close.
It is understood the prime minister spoke to Gloucestershire Chief Constable Tim Brain about the threat to the station late on Monday.
See map of severe flood warnings
The Environment Agency later said the River Severn at Gloucester had peaked 2in (50mm) below the main wall protecting the station, suggesting the worst-case scenario may be avoided.
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.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.
href="/1/hi/uk/6911778.stm">Floods: At-a-glance href="/1/hi/uk/6911945.stm">Your stories of the floods ENGLAND FLOODED Gloucestershire has been one of the areas worst affected by the flooding href="/1/hi/england/gloucestershire/6912271.stm">Gloucestershire flood chaos href="/1/hi/england/hereford/worcs/6910528.stm">Worcester residents affected class="" href="/1/hi/england/oxfordshire/6911321.stm">More fears for Oxfordshire
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. 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.
National Grid spokeswoman Sarah Harris said everything possible was being done to stop the station from going down.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. The ministerial-level meeting of Cobra came after it emerged that the water levels of both the Severn and Thames have exceeded those of devastating floods in 1947.
Helicopter flight
Mr Brown has said he will set up a review of the crisis.Mr Brown has said he will set up a review of the crisis.
See map of severe flood warnings
Earlier he flew by helicopter over Gloucestershire before heading to the police headquarters where the county's 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.
The Environment Agency said water levels on the Thames in Oxford were expected to peak at midnight, while the River Severn at Gloucester could peak early on Tuesday. HAVE YOUR SAY We must now look at proper regional controls and answers for surface water problems Ted Smith, Worcester class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=6893&edition=1&ttl=20070720094446">Send us your experiences
The Environment Agency has seven severe flood warnings in place - three on the Severn, two on the Thames, and one each on the Great Ouse in Bedfordshire and the Ock in Oxfordshire. Severn Trent Water warned all residents in Gloucester, Cheltenham and Tewkesbury would lose their supply on Monday due to a treatment works being flooded, and the situation is expected to last several days.
At their height, some rivers will be more than 20ft higher than normal. 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.
Top Gear's Richard Hammond joined the rescue effort in Tirley Warwickshire and Berkshire have also been badly affected and residents at risk of flooding in Oxford were told to leave their homes because water levels were expected to rise.
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. Some homes in Oxford, Abingdon, Kidlington and Bladon have already been flooded and conditions were expected to deteriorate overnight.
The situation is expected to last several days, it said. The Association of British Insurers has said the total bill for the June and July floods could reach at least £2bn.
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 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.
ENGLAND FLOODED Gloucestershire flood chaos Worcester residents affected More fears 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.
Some homes in Oxford, Abingdon, Kidlington and Bladon have already been flooded and conditions are expected to deteriorate.
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.
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 at least £2bn.
  • 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 1188Environment Agency floodline: 0845 988 1188
    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 Sharnbrook 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 Sharnbrook
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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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