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Flooding deaths prompt warnings Flooding deaths prompt warnings
(about 1 hour later)
Fire chiefs have warned people not to take risks clearing up flood-hit properties following the deaths of a father and son in Gloucestershire.Fire chiefs have warned people not to take risks clearing up flood-hit properties following the deaths of a father and son in Gloucestershire.
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.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 there were dangers associated with using petrol and electric pumps to remove floodwater.Fire officers said there were dangers associated with using petrol and electric pumps to remove floodwater.
Prince Charles is due to visit Gloucs and Worcs to offer support to victims. Prince Charles and Princess Anne are to visit the county to meet flood victims.
See map of severe flood warnings See map of severe flood warnings
The Prince of Wales will also meet emergency workers and volunteers who have been dealing with the aftermath of the flooding, caused by the heavy rain of the past week. They will also meet emergency workers and volunteers who have been dealing with the aftermath of the flooding, caused by the heavy rain of the past week.
Water companies across the UK are 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 are sending in tankers to help thousands of homeowners whose supplies have been contaminated, and the Red Cross has been delivering food parcels.
Police in Gloucestershire have said that, although they have received a handful of calls alleging that mobile street dispensers - or bowsers - have been tampered with, none have been substantiated.
Meanwhile, the mayors of Gloucester and Tewkesbury have launched a fund for victims of the flooding.Meanwhile, the mayors of Gloucester and Tewkesbury have launched a fund for victims of the flooding.
'Great guy''Great guy'
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.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.
Club treasurer Bram Lane and his son were part of a larger group who had been clearing up the club and decided to carry on after the others had left.Club treasurer Bram Lane and his son were part of a larger group who had been clearing up the club and decided to carry on after the others had left.
HAVE YOUR SAY I'm having trouble getting to water as I don't drive and have three small children and I can't get to supermarkets to get bottled water Samantha, Gloucester Send us your experiencesHAVE YOUR SAY I'm having trouble getting to water as I don't drive and have three small children and I can't get to supermarkets to get bottled water Samantha, Gloucester Send us your experiences
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."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."
Chief Fire Officer Terry Standing said anyone in Gloucestershire with doubts about removing floodwater should call the service.Chief Fire Officer Terry Standing said anyone in Gloucestershire with doubts about removing floodwater should call the service.
Rugby club member Mark Allen paid tribute to Mr Lane.Rugby club member Mark Allen paid tribute to Mr Lane.
"Bram was basically the backbone of Tewkesbury Rugby Club," he said."Bram was basically the backbone of Tewkesbury Rugby Club," he said.
"If anything needed doing Bram was always there, early hours of the morning, late at night. Basically, he was just a great guy.""If anything needed doing Bram was always there, early hours of the morning, late at night. Basically, he was just a great guy."
Running dryRunning dry
Some 130,000 households in Gloucestershire remain without water after a treatment plant flooded, and health and sanitation fears persist.Some 130,000 households in Gloucestershire remain without water after a treatment plant flooded, and health and sanitation fears persist.
Severn Trent Water says the Army is helping to plan the refilling of mobile street dispensers, or 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.
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 fearThere 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
The BBC has received messages from residents in Gloucester and Cheltenham about the difficulty of locating bowsers with water in them.The BBC has received messages from residents in Gloucester and Cheltenham about the difficulty of locating bowsers with water in them.
Severn Trent Water director David Wickens said it had proved difficult to navigate the large tankers used to refill the bowsers through smaller streets, and added there was a shortage of tanker drivers.Severn Trent Water director David Wickens said it had proved difficult to navigate the large tankers used to refill the bowsers through smaller streets, and added there was a shortage of tanker drivers.
Severn Trent - which said it could take a week to restore tap water to some homes in Gloucestershire - has temporarily restored mains water for washing and flushing toilets to about 10,000 homes in the Tewkesbury area.Severn Trent - which said it could take a week to restore tap water to some homes in Gloucestershire - has temporarily restored mains water for washing and flushing toilets to about 10,000 homes in the Tewkesbury area.
Flood warningsFlood warnings
Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said the total number of flooded properties could eventually reach 15,000.Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said the total number of flooded properties could eventually reach 15,000.
The Environment Agency has two severe flood warnings in place on the Thames around Oxford.The Environment Agency has two severe flood warnings in place on the Thames around Oxford.
Fears of flooding along the River Thames have eased Temporary supply for town Summer wettest on record Floodwaters 'for 24 hours' Homes escape floodingFears of flooding along the River Thames have eased Temporary supply for town Summer wettest on record Floodwaters 'for 24 hours' Homes escape flooding
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.
The BBC Weather Centre said there would be a dry start to Friday.The BBC Weather Centre said there would be a dry start to Friday.
June was the wettest on record in the UK, with July heading the same way.June was the wettest on record in the UK, with July heading the same way.
In other developments:In other developments:
  • Farmers have warned that British-grown produce, including potatoes, peas and strawberries, could be in short supply because of floods and wet weather
  • Farmers have warned that British-grown produce, including potatoes, peas and strawberries, could be in short supply because of floods and wet weather
  • The government has given a series of undertakings that flooded areas will not be forgotten over the Commons summer recess, including a weekly conference call between MPs and the environment secretary
  • The government has given a series of undertakings that flooded areas will not be forgotten over the Commons summer recess, including a weekly conference call between MPs and the environment secretary
  • In Tewkesbury, police have said Mitchell Taylor, 19, who has not been seen since leaving a bar in the town at the height of the floods on Saturday, is still missing
  • In Tewkesbury, police have said Mitchell Taylor, 19, who has not been seen since leaving a bar in the town at the height of the floods on Saturday, is still missing
    • Environment Agency floodline: 0845 988 1188Environment Agency floodline: 0845 988 1188
    SEVERE FLOOD WARNINGS IN PLACE The Thames: Severe warnings affecting Eynsham to Sandford Lock and also Little Wittenham SEVERE FLOOD WARNINGS IN PLACE The Thames: Severe warnings affecting Eynsham to Sandford Lock and also Little Wittenham
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    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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