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Weather eases off flood-hit areas Relief as new flooding fears fade
(about 5 hours later)
Flood-hit areas in western England have seen more rain overnight although the weather has not been as bad as feared. Fears of fresh flooding in areas already hit by weeks of rain have faded after predicted overnight rain storms failed to materialise.
Extra fences were put around the Mythe water treatment works at Tewkesbury, Gloucs, which flooded last week hitting supplies to tens of thousands of homes. The flooded Mythe water treatment works in Tewkesbury has been repaired and water supplies are due to be restored in Gloucestershire in the coming week.
Police called on people not to make unnecessary journeys to stop stranded motorists distracting 999 resources. But Severn Trent Water warned that the water would not initially be fit for drinking, even if boiled.
Weather forecasters said the outlook is much more positive, with some sunshine on the way over the next few days. Forecasters say England and Wales can expect mainly dry weather this week.
'Glimmer of hope' Tens of thousands of people lost running water supplies after the floods hit more than a week ago.
Severn Trent said the newly restored water also must not be used for preparing food, making ice or brushing teeth.
For the majority of homes in Gloucester and Cheltenham, reconnection is still several days away Andy Smith, Severn Trent Water BBC Weather Centre latest
Until further notice the tap water can only be used for purposes such as bathing, showering and flushing toilets, the firm added.
Now engineers have restarted the works - which serve about 130,000 homes - the company plans to restore supplies, area by area, over the next week.
They will release details of areas that are due to be reconnected each day, said a statement.
Director of water services Andy Smith described the weekend's progress as "significant".
But he added: "This does not mean that customers will have water at their taps immediately. Wider areas of Tewkesbury will begin to get water over the next 24 hours, but for the majority of homes in Gloucester and Cheltenham, reconnection is still several days away."
He said 1,200 miles of water pipes still needed to be re-filled.
'Thank goodness'
Extra inspectors were out checking supplies and pipes, but he urged people to watch out for bogus callers posing as water officials.
"All genuine Severn Trent workers carry ID and will be happy to wait outside while you confirm their identity. If there is any doubt who the caller is keep them out," he said.
Customers could ring 0800 783 4444 to check or even ring the police, he added.
Although flood-hit areas in western England saw more rain overnight it was not as bad as feared.
Daniel Corns who lives in Kempsey in Worcestershire told BBC Radio Five Live he had been worried the water would come in again.
"Last night it was constantly on my mind and [I was] looking out every five minutes to see whether the rain was still pouring down - but it didn't, thank goodness".
VAT 'profits'
Nigel Bolton, from the Met Office, told BBC Radio Five Live there was a "glimmer of hope on the horizon".Nigel Bolton, from the Met Office, told BBC Radio Five Live there was a "glimmer of hope on the horizon".
I think the people of Tewkesbury have really rallied together The Rev Canon Paul Williams BBC Weather Centre latest
He said: "We will have mainly dry days, for two or three days at least anyway, with some sunshine.He said: "We will have mainly dry days, for two or three days at least anyway, with some sunshine.
"And some fairly brisk north westerly winds for Sunday and into Monday, and this should actually help the drying process up.""And some fairly brisk north westerly winds for Sunday and into Monday, and this should actually help the drying process up."
Kate Cox from water firm Severn Trent said preparations had been made to protect the Mythe works from further flooding.
"In preparation for that forecasted rain we've made sure we have some temporary flood protection put in at Mythe," she said.
"We've actually had the Army and in there helping us erect some temporary flood barriers."
She said the fear was that extra floodwater would scupper attempts to reconnect the works.
'Care and compassion'
The Rev Canon Paul Williams, vicar at Tewkesbury Abbey which was itself flooded, said that although the floods had been traumatic they brought out the best in everyone.
A specialist hovercraft was used to find a body in TewkesburyA specialist hovercraft was used to find a body in Tewkesbury
"I think the people of Tewkesbury have really rallied together," he said. The Environment Agency has no severe flood warnings in place but there are still three standard flood warnings.
"They've supported each other. The care and compassion that has been exhibited is fantastic.
"And I think that humanity is at its best when it does work in partnership. We're the best when we actually work together and it's been wonderful."
The Environment Agency has no severe flood warnings in place but there are three standard flood warnings.
These are all for the River Severn - at Gloucester, between Worcester and Tewkesbury, and from Tewkesbury to upstream of Gloucester.These are all for the River Severn - at Gloucester, between Worcester and Tewkesbury, and from Tewkesbury to upstream of Gloucester.
Hovercraft crew As the floods recede, opposition politicians have said the government should not "profit" from the floods by collecting VAT on the resulting building repair work.
Police in Tewkesbury searching for Mitchell Taylor, 19, who went missing after leaving a bar on 21 July, have found a body. Shadow environment minister Bill Wiggins told the Sunday Express more money should be released for those in need.
Gloucestershire Police said the man's body, which has not yet been formally identified, was discovered by an Italian hovercraft crew in flooded parkland near the abbey. The government was being "reticent" about what it was prepared to pay for, and profiting from the crisis would be wrong, he told the paper.
The increased revenue from repairs should allow the government to be more generous, added the Lib Dem's environment spokesman Chris Huhne.
See where the heaviest rain fellEnlarge MapSee where the heaviest rain fellEnlarge Map
Police in Tewkesbury searching for Mitchell Taylor, 19, who went missing after leaving a bar on 21 July, found a body on Saturday.
Gloucestershire Police said the man's body, which has not yet been formally identified, was discovered by an Italian hovercraft crew in flooded parkland.
On Thursday, Bram Lane, 64, and his son Chris, 27, were found dead at Tewkesbury Rugby Club.On Thursday, Bram Lane, 64, and his son Chris, 27, were found dead at Tewkesbury Rugby Club.
They are thought to have been overcome by fumes as they used a petrol-powered pump to clear floodwater.They are thought to have been overcome by fumes as they used a petrol-powered pump to clear floodwater.
Gloucestershire Chief Constable Tim Brain made the call for people to travel only where necessary.
He said: "We do not want to distract the efforts of any of the emergency services because people have become stuck away from home because they have engaged in an unnecessary journey."
About 130,000 homes in Gloucestershire are still without running water and the situation is likely to last for days.
Environment Agency floodline: 0845 988 1188Environment Agency floodline: 0845 988 1188
Have you been affected by the floods? How are the drinking water supplies? Please use the form below to tell us about your experiences.Have you been affected by the floods? How are the drinking water supplies? Please use the form below to tell us about your experiences.
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