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Flood-hit areas face further rain Flood-hit areas face further rain
(about 3 hours later)
Heavy rainfall is predicted for Saturday night and Sunday morning as the extent of the damage in flood-hit Gloucestershire is emerging. Heavy rain is forecast for Saturday night and Sunday, bringing the risk of more flooding in England and Wales.
The BBC Weather Centre says rain in south Wales and central and southern England could cause localised flooding. It comes as the extent of the damage caused by last week's floods emerges, with some 130,000 Gloucestershire homes still facing days without water.
The flooded Mythe treatment plant, which has caused Gloucestershire water shortages, has been pumped out and will be tested at the weekend. Water firm Severn Trent will start pumping water from its flooded Mythe plant near Tewkesbury on Tuesday but it will not be safe to drink.
Meanwhile, Gloucs County Council says the road repair costs will be £25m. And Prince Charles has visited some of the areas worst hit by the weather.
That was the same as the council's total annual road maintenance budget, a spokeswoman said. Accompanied by the Duchess of Cornwall, the Prince met businesspeople and members of the public in Upton-upon-Severn, Worcestershire, which was completely surrounded by water at the height of the flooding.
What I have found so wonderful is the spirit the people have displayed Prince Charles Water for homes 'next week'
Hundreds of people turned out to see the royal couple chat with residents in a street still partly underwater, and stop for a drink at a nearby pub.
Later, visiting badly-hit Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, the prince paid tribute to the British spirit, saying: "I've seen some obviously disastrous horrors that have affected so many people. What I have found so wonderful is the spirit the people have displayed."
See map of severe flood warnings See map of severe flood warnings
Some 130,000 households in Gloucestershire remain without water after the Mythe plant flooded and health and sanitation fears persist.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Severn Trent Water's Martin Kane said that engineers were assessing the system and would have a clearer idea when normal service would resume after the weekend testing.
There are dangers associated with using petrol-based pumps within confined areas Alan HoarGloucestershire fire service Bowsers 'not contaminated' In pictures: Getting water Life without tap water Forecaster's summer fear
"Once the work is back into supply, it will take a number of days to recharge the network and I would ask for your continued cooperation and patience as we develop our detailed plans to undertake this activity," he added.
Water companies across the UK have been sending in tankers to help thousands of homeowners whose supplies have been contaminated, and the Red Cross has been delivering food parcels.Water companies across the UK have been sending in tankers to help thousands of homeowners whose supplies have been contaminated, and the Red Cross has been delivering food parcels.
Severn Trent Water says the Army is helping to plan the refilling of bowsers amid complaints that some have been running dry.Severn Trent Water says the Army is helping to plan the refilling of bowsers amid complaints that some have been running dry.
Also at Friday's press conference, Chief Const Tim Brain warned residents not to use water bowsers with broken seals after someone urinated into one. At a press conference earlier Chief Constable Tim Brain said six million litres of bottled and bulk water had been supplied to Gloucestershire on Thursday and efforts were being made to step up the number of times the bowsers were refilled to four a day.
Chief Const Brain also warned of more heavy rain at the weekend but stressed that it was unlikely to cause the same level of flooding as last week. href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/uk_enl_1185544941/html/1.stm" onClick="window.open('http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/uk_enl_1185544941/html/1.stm', '1185544973', 'toolbar=0,scrollbars=0,location=0,statusbar=0,menubar=0,resizable=1,width=416,height=563,left=312,top=100'); return false;">See where the heaviest rain fell href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/uk_enl_1185544941/html/1.stm" onClick="window.open('http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/uk_enl_1185544941/html/1.stm', '1185544973', 'toolbar=0,scrollbars=0,location=0,statusbar=0,menubar=0,resizable=1,width=416,height=563,left=312,top=100'); return false;" >Enlarge Map
In other developments:
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  • Prince Charles and Princess Anne are visiting flood-hit Gloucestershire to offer their support to victims
  • Mayor of Gloucester Harjit Gill launched a fund for victims of the flooding, which has already raised £73,000
  • Severn Trent has temporarily restored mains water for washing and flushing toilets to about 10,000 homes in the Tewkesbury area.
  • Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said the total number of flooded properties could eventually reach 15,000.
 He warned residents not to use water bowsers with broken seals after someone urinated into one, but said there had been few reports of bowsers being vandalised.
href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/uk_enl_1185544941/html/1.stm" onClick="window.open('http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/uk_enl_1185544941/html/1.stm', '1185544973', 'toolbar=0,scrollbars=0,location=0,statusbar=0,menubar=0,resizable=1,width=416,height=563,left=312,top=100'); return false;">See where the heaviest rain fell href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/uk_enl_1185544941/html/1.stm" onClick="window.open('http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/uk_enl_1185544941/html/1.stm', '1185544973', 'toolbar=0,scrollbars=0,location=0,statusbar=0,menubar=0,resizable=1,width=416,height=563,left=312,top=100'); return false;" >Enlarge Map Gloucestershire fire chiefs have warned people not to take risks clearing up flood-hit properties following the deaths of a father and son in the county. Chief Constable Brain also warned of more heavy rain at the weekend but stressed that it was unlikely to cause the same level of flooding as last week.
It is thought Bram Lane, 64, and Chris, who was in his 20s, may have been overcome by fumes from a petrol-powered water pump at Tewkesbury Rugby Club. Heavy rain is forecast for south Wales and central and southern England on Saturday night and Sunday morning.
Fire officers said there were dangers associated with using petrol and electric pumps to remove floodwater. The Environment Agency has two severe flood warnings in place on the Thames around Oxford.
Gloucestershire Police were called to the rugby club on Gander Lane at 0750 BST on Thursday after it was reported that two people pumping water there could not be contacted. In other developments:
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  • Gloucestershire County Council said the cost of repairing flood damaged roads would be £25m - equalling the council's total annual road maintenance budget
  • Mayor of Gloucester Harjit Gill launched a fund for victims of the flooding, which has already raised £73,000
  • Severn Trent has temporarily restored mains water for washing and flushing toilets to about 10,000 homes in the Tewkesbury area.
  • Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said the total number of flooded properties could eventually reach 15,000.
Assistant Chief Fire Officer Alan Hoar, of Gloucestershire fire service, said: "I must urge people, there are dangers associated with using petrol-based pumps within confined areas, using electric pumps, and also other associated hazards with standing floodwater." Earlier, Gloucestershire fire chiefs warned people not to take risks clearing up flood-hit properties following the deaths of a father and son in the county.
Fears of flooding along the River Thames have eased Temporary supply for town Summer wettest on record Floodwaters 'for 24 hours' Chief Fire Officer Terry Standing said anyone in Gloucestershire with doubts about removing floodwater should call the service.Fears of flooding along the River Thames have eased Temporary supply for town Summer wettest on record Floodwaters 'for 24 hours' Chief Fire Officer Terry Standing said anyone in Gloucestershire with doubts about removing floodwater should call the service.
The Environment Agency has two severe flood warning in place on the Thames around Oxford. It is thought Bram Lane, 64, and Chris, who was in his 20s, may have been overcome by fumes from a petrol-powered water pump at Tewkesbury Rugby Club.
Fire officers said using petrol and electric pumps to remove floodwater could be dangerous.
Chief Fire Officer Terry Standing said anyone in Gloucestershire with doubts about removing floodwater should call the service.
The Health Protection Agency says the risk of contracting any illness is generally low, but people are advised to avoid coming into direct contact with floodwater.The Health Protection Agency says the risk of contracting any illness is generally low, but people are advised to avoid coming into direct contact with floodwater.
Environment Agency floodline: 0845 988 1188Environment Agency floodline: 0845 988 1188
SEVERE FLOOD WARNINGS IN PLACE The Thames: Severe warnings affecting Eynsham to Sandford LockWarnings at Little Wittenham have been downgraded Return SEVERE FLOOD WARNINGS IN PLACE The Thames: Severe warnings affecting Eynsham to Sandford LockWarnings at Little Wittenham have been downgraded Return
Have you been affected by the floods? How are the drinking water supplies? The BBC would like to hear from anyone affected by the floods. Please use the form below to tell us about your experiences.Have you been affected by the floods? How are the drinking water supplies? The BBC would like to hear from anyone affected by the floods. Please use the form below to tell us about your experiences.
You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial 61124.Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and videoYou can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial 61124.Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video
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