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Power restored as floods recede Power restored as floods recede
(about 1 hour later)
More than 48,000 homes have had power restored as waters recede in one of the areas worst hit by England's floods.More than 48,000 homes have had power restored as waters recede in one of the areas worst hit by England's floods.
A Gloucester electricity substation was repaired by emergency services, while at another in the city water levels came close to breaching outside walls.A Gloucester electricity substation was repaired by emergency services, while at another in the city water levels came close to breaching outside walls.
The widespread flooding has also seen at least 350,000 people left without running water across Gloucestershire. At least 350,000 people across Gloucestershire have been left without running water because of the floods.
Threatened homes on the Thames escaped flooding overnight but residents are now on alert further along the river. Threatened homes on the Thames escaped flooding overnight, but residents are now on alert further along the river.
Temporary barrier Water bowsers installed
Forecasters said more showers were expected across England throughout the week, with heavy rainfall predicted for Thursday.Forecasters said more showers were expected across England throughout the week, with heavy rainfall predicted for Thursday.
The Environment Agency said the rainfall could result in water levels rising yet again, causing more misery for homes and businesses.The Environment Agency said the rainfall could result in water levels rising yet again, causing more misery for homes and businesses.
Bottled water is being distributed in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire Floods: At-a-glance Your stories of the floodsBottled water is being distributed in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire Floods: At-a-glance Your stories of the floods
Police said power had been restored to all homes plunged into darkness when the Castlemeads station was flooded. Power was restored overnight to all homes plunged into darkness on Monday when the Castlemeads station was flooded.
And emergency services worked through the night with the armed forces to protect the Walham station, which serves 250,000 people. And the River Severn peaked below the main quay wall which protects the city centre and Walham substation, which serves 250,000 people.
The Environment Agency said the River Severn had peaked 2in (50mm) below the main quay wall which protects the city centre and Walham substation. The fire service and military are still at the Walham site, pumping water into a nearby canal.
The fire service and military are still at the site, pumping water from the station through hosepipes into a nearby canal. Emergency services are also trying to gain access to Tewkesbury's Mythe Water Treatment Works to return water supplies to 140,000 households in Tewkesbury, Gloucester and Cheltenham.
Emergency services are working on gaining access to Tewkesbury's Mythe Water Treatment Works to return water supplies to 140,000 households in Tewkesbury, Gloucester and Cheltenham.
Pumping equipment is being diverted to the water station from the two electricity substations.Pumping equipment is being diverted to the water station from the two electricity substations.
See map of severe flood warnings See map of severe flood warnings
Severn Trent Water is aiming to have about 900 bowsers - mobile water dispensers - in place throughout the county by the end of Tuesday. Severn Trent Water is aiming to have about 900 bowsers - mobile water dispensers - in place throughout the county by 0600 BST on Wednesday.
About 400 bowsers are already in place, but Gloucester resident Peter Bileman told the BBC he had tried 11 of them before finding one with water in it. About 490 bowsers are already in place, but Gloucester resident Peter Bileman told the BBC he had tried 11 of them before finding one with water in it.
A spokesman for Severn Trent said water supplies were not expected to be fully restored for between seven and 14 days.A spokesman for Severn Trent said water supplies were not expected to be fully restored for between seven and 14 days.
The Army said it would distribute three million bottles of water a day until tap supplies were restored.
Chief executive of Gloucestershire County Council Peter Bungard said: "I'm really, really worried, 350,000 people is hard to imagine, and amongst those are very vulnerable people."Chief executive of Gloucestershire County Council Peter Bungard said: "I'm really, really worried, 350,000 people is hard to imagine, and amongst those are very vulnerable people."
ENGLAND FLOODED Gloucestershire has been one of the areas worst affected by the flooding New mother rescued in floods Berkshire river surge fears Oxfordshire waters stabilise Worcs roads reopeningENGLAND FLOODED Gloucestershire has been one of the areas worst affected by the flooding New mother rescued in floods Berkshire river surge fears Oxfordshire waters stabilise Worcs roads reopening
While water levels are dropping, areas in Gloucestershire such as Tewkesbury remain badly flooded. Tim Brain, chief constable of Gloucestershire Police, urged people to remain calm over water supplies.
Tim Brain, chief constable of Gloucestershire Police, said: "Things are better than they were, but that is a very marginal statement and we are far from out of this as an emergency. He told a press conference: "There is sufficient for personal needs. It is important that people continue to conserve their own domestic supplies and do not panic...
"This is an ongoing emergency and nowhere near recovery stage." "If people act calmly and with patience and forbearance, there is sufficient water for everybody."
While floodwater levels are dropping, areas in Gloucestershire such as Tewkesbury remain badly flooded.
Water levels in the Thames peaked at Abingdon and Henley in Oxfordshire overnight and at Oxford itself early on Tuesday, with residents escaping flooding.Water levels in the Thames peaked at Abingdon and Henley in Oxfordshire overnight and at Oxford itself early on Tuesday, with residents escaping flooding.
There are fears several hundred homes could be at risk further along the Thames in Berkshire, which has already been badly affected, and where water levels are not expected to peak until Wednesday.There are fears several hundred homes could be at risk further along the Thames in Berkshire, which has already been badly affected, and where water levels are not expected to peak until Wednesday.
Massive clean-upMassive clean-up
Tim Abbott, spokesman for the Environment Agency, said: "We are now expecting the Thames to peak in Pangbourne, Purley and the Reading area in the early hours of tomorrow. There could be flooding of some properties.Tim Abbott, spokesman for the Environment Agency, said: "We are now expecting the Thames to peak in Pangbourne, Purley and the Reading area in the early hours of tomorrow. There could be flooding of some properties.
"Levels in Reading, however, are not expected to be anything like what we have had in Oxfordshire.""Levels in Reading, however, are not expected to be anything like what we have had in Oxfordshire."
The Environment Agency has six severe flood warnings in place - three on the Severn, two on the Thames, and one on the Ock in Oxfordshire.The Environment Agency has six severe flood warnings in place - three on the Severn, two on the Thames, and one on the Ock in Oxfordshire.
The water levels of both the Severn and Thames have exceeded those of devastating floods in 1947. The water levels of both the Severn and Thames exceeded in some areas those of devastating floods in 1947.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown chaired a meeting of the emergency Cobra committee on Tuesday morning and attended meetings supervising efforts to save the Walham substation.Prime Minister Gordon Brown chaired a meeting of the emergency Cobra committee on Tuesday morning and attended meetings supervising efforts to save the Walham substation.
At the Cobra meeting the possibility of the floods spreading to London was discussed, as well as different contingency plans for the waters moving east.
HAVE YOUR SAY We must now look at proper regional controls and answers for surface water problems Ted Smith, Worcester Send us your experiencesHAVE YOUR SAY We must now look at proper regional controls and answers for surface water problems Ted Smith, Worcester Send us your experiences
Parts of Worcestershire are still under water and the Army has been deployed to help emergency services provide supplies to people in Upton-upon-Severn.Parts of Worcestershire are still under water and the Army has been deployed to help emergency services provide supplies to people in Upton-upon-Severn.
A large-scale clean-up is under way in the county to reopen roads closed after the floods.A large-scale clean-up is under way in the county to reopen roads closed after the floods.
The Association of British Insurers has said the total bill for the June and July floods could reach at least £2bn.The Association of British Insurers has said the total bill for the June and July floods could reach at least £2bn.
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: Warnings no longer considered severe 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: Warnings no longer considered severe 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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