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Floods cause chaos around Britain after heavy rains Floods cause chaos around Britain after heavy rains
(10 days later)
Homes and businesses have been inundated, roads blocked and train services disrupted as flooding again hit parts of the UK.Homes and businesses have been inundated, roads blocked and train services disrupted as flooding again hit parts of the UK.
Firefighters were pumping water out of homes and dealing with landslips after more than 40mm (1.6in) of rain fell within 24 hours.Firefighters were pumping water out of homes and dealing with landslips after more than 40mm (1.6in) of rain fell within 24 hours.
Dozens of roads across a large area of the south and up to the Midlands were under water and stranded drivers had to be rescued from cars.Dozens of roads across a large area of the south and up to the Midlands were under water and stranded drivers had to be rescued from cars.
By Thursday morning, the Environment Agency had issued more than 20 flood warnings — meaning flooding is expected and immediate action should be taken. More than half were in the south-west.By Thursday morning, the Environment Agency had issued more than 20 flood warnings — meaning flooding is expected and immediate action should be taken. More than half were in the south-west.
In addition, almost 200 alerts — flooding possible — were in place for all regions of England and Wales bar the north-east of England.In addition, almost 200 alerts — flooding possible — were in place for all regions of England and Wales bar the north-east of England.
A spokesperson said: "Large swaths of southern and south-western England, south-east Wales and the Midlands are being warned to prepare for flooding.A spokesperson said: "Large swaths of southern and south-western England, south-east Wales and the Midlands are being warned to prepare for flooding.
Successive bands of heavy rain are moving across England and Wales, and with the ground already saturated, this is likely to lead to property flooding from rivers and surface water as well as disruption to road and rail networks.Successive bands of heavy rain are moving across England and Wales, and with the ground already saturated, this is likely to lead to property flooding from rivers and surface water as well as disruption to road and rail networks.
"Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Hampshire, West Sussex and Northamptonshire are particularly at risk, and people are being urged to sign up to free flood warnings, check their route for disruption before travelling, and not to drive or walk through floodwater.""Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Hampshire, West Sussex and Northamptonshire are particularly at risk, and people are being urged to sign up to free flood warnings, check their route for disruption before travelling, and not to drive or walk through floodwater."
So far most of the flooding appears to have been caused by smaller streams overflowing and the run-off from sodden fields. More serious flooding could follow if the rain continues and larger rivers, still swollen from earlier in the year, top their banks.So far most of the flooding appears to have been caused by smaller streams overflowing and the run-off from sodden fields. More serious flooding could follow if the rain continues and larger rivers, still swollen from earlier in the year, top their banks.
The Met Office issued severe weather warnings for much of England, including London, Wales and Scotland. As during the floods of November, it was Cornwall that first felt the brunt of the bad weather overnight on Thursday.The Met Office issued severe weather warnings for much of England, including London, Wales and Scotland. As during the floods of November, it was Cornwall that first felt the brunt of the bad weather overnight on Thursday.
At Porthallow in Looe, in south-east Cornwall, the water was 2ft deep in the centre of the village in the early hours. Water had to be pumped from homes near Launceston, St Austell, Helston and St Keverne. Firefighters also attended a landslip at Ponts Mill, Tywardreath, near Fowey.At Porthallow in Looe, in south-east Cornwall, the water was 2ft deep in the centre of the village in the early hours. Water had to be pumped from homes near Launceston, St Austell, Helston and St Keverne. Firefighters also attended a landslip at Ponts Mill, Tywardreath, near Fowey.
Cornwall council had more than 100 staff out helping emergency services and EA workers deal with the floods. A council spokesman said individual properties were being affected this time so far rather than communities.Cornwall council had more than 100 staff out helping emergency services and EA workers deal with the floods. A council spokesman said individual properties were being affected this time so far rather than communities.
He said the problem was that rain was falling on ground already saturated from the downpours of November and earlier this year. "The water has got nowhere to go," he said.He said the problem was that rain was falling on ground already saturated from the downpours of November and earlier this year. "The water has got nowhere to go," he said.
In Devon the county council urged motorists to take extra care. Councillor Stuart Hughes, cabinet member for highways and transportation, said: "It is really important that we are all alert to the potential of surface water and residual flooding this morning, particularly in areas where the ground is already saturated and on minor roads where problems may not be brought to our attention straight away.In Devon the county council urged motorists to take extra care. Councillor Stuart Hughes, cabinet member for highways and transportation, said: "It is really important that we are all alert to the potential of surface water and residual flooding this morning, particularly in areas where the ground is already saturated and on minor roads where problems may not be brought to our attention straight away.
"I would advise everyone to be cautious when travelling especially in the dark. In particular, don't drive too fast, and avoid driving through flood water. There are likely to be many potholes underneath surface water which present a hidden danger so drivers need to be aware of those and also of increased breaking distances.""I would advise everyone to be cautious when travelling especially in the dark. In particular, don't drive too fast, and avoid driving through flood water. There are likely to be many potholes underneath surface water which present a hidden danger so drivers need to be aware of those and also of increased breaking distances."
Elsewhere flooding was reported from Dorset, the Isle of Wight, Hampshire and West Sussex through to Oxfordshire, Nottinghamshire and Northamptonshire.Elsewhere flooding was reported from Dorset, the Isle of Wight, Hampshire and West Sussex through to Oxfordshire, Nottinghamshire and Northamptonshire.
First Great Western was warning of major disruption to rail services in Devon and Cornwall as well as to services in south Wales and the Bristol area. Trains to Southampton from London were also affected.First Great Western was warning of major disruption to rail services in Devon and Cornwall as well as to services in south Wales and the Bristol area. Trains to Southampton from London were also affected.
The rain is expected to clear from the south-west later on Thursday, but the next band of rain is due to move on Friday evening and stay across the weekend and into next week.The rain is expected to clear from the south-west later on Thursday, but the next band of rain is due to move on Friday evening and stay across the weekend and into next week.
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