This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/6918539.stm

The article has changed 17 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 8 Version 9
Royal visit to flooding victims Flood-hit areas face further rain
(about 1 hour later)
Prince Charles and Princess Anne are visiting flood-hit Gloucs later to offer their support to victims. Heavy rainfall is predicted for Saturday night and Sunday morning as the extent of the damage in flood-hit Gloucestershire is emerging.
They are also meeting emergency workers and volunteers who have been dealing with the aftermath of the flooding. The BBC Weather Centre says rain in south Wales and central and southern England could cause localised flooding.
Meanwhile, police have played down newspaper reports that mobile street dispensers - or bowsers - have been tampered with. The flooded Mythe treatment plant, which has caused Gloucestershire water shortages, has been pumped out and will be tested at the weekend.
Officers say they have received a handful of calls alleging tampering but none have been substantiated. Meanwhile, Gloucs County Council says the road repair costs will be £25m.
The royal visit comes after Mayor of Gloucester Harjit Gill launched a fund for victims of the flooding which has already raised £73,000. That was the same as the council's total annual road maintenance budget, a spokeswoman said.
See map of severe flood warnings See map of severe flood warnings
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. 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 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
"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.
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.
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.
In other developments:
  • 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.
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.
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.
See where the heaviest rain fellEnlarge Map
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.
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 Mr 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.
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.
See where the heaviest rain fellEnlarge Map
Meanwhile, 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.
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 bowsers amid complaints that some have been running dry.
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.
Fears of flooding along the River Thames have eased Temporary supply for town Summer wettest on record Floodwaters 'for 24 hours'Fears of flooding along the River Thames have eased Temporary supply for town Summer wettest on record Floodwaters 'for 24 hours'
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. The Environment Agency has two severe flood warning in place on the Thames around Oxford.
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 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 Friday would be brighter with some showers.
June was the wettest on record in the UK, with July heading the same way.
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
Name
 Name