This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/jan/23/amber-weather-warning-somerset-levels

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Amber weather warning for Somerset Levels as more downpours expected Amber weather warning for Somerset Levels as more downpours expected
(35 minutes later)
An amber weather warning – the second most severe alert – has been issued by the Met Office for the Somerset Levels, where 17,000 acres of land remain under water, as more bands of heavy rain move in to the west of Britain.An amber weather warning – the second most severe alert – has been issued by the Met Office for the Somerset Levels, where 17,000 acres of land remain under water, as more bands of heavy rain move in to the west of Britain.
The Met Office said that householders and business people on the levels should prepare for yet more flooding on Friday with up to 20mm of rain expected to fall on to saturated ground and into full water courses.The Met Office said that householders and business people on the levels should prepare for yet more flooding on Friday with up to 20mm of rain expected to fall on to saturated ground and into full water courses.
Forecasters said the south-west of England and Wales would bear the brunt of the downpours on Friday and Saturday. It is likely to be very wet and windy for most of the UK on Sunday and Monday.Forecasters said the south-west of England and Wales would bear the brunt of the downpours on Friday and Saturday. It is likely to be very wet and windy for most of the UK on Sunday and Monday.
Ten flood warnings (meaning flooding is expected and immediate action is required) were published by the Environment Agency, half of these on and around the low-lying levels.Ten flood warnings (meaning flooding is expected and immediate action is required) were published by the Environment Agency, half of these on and around the low-lying levels.
The agency said: "The situation on the Somerset Levels is likely to worsen, particularly around Langport, with flooding to parts of communities. Muchelney and Moorland will remain cut off because of flooded roads."The agency said: "The situation on the Somerset Levels is likely to worsen, particularly around Langport, with flooding to parts of communities. Muchelney and Moorland will remain cut off because of flooded roads."
It said flooding was also possible in parts of Dorset, Hampshire, Wiltshire West Sussex, West Berkshire and Surrey.It said flooding was also possible in parts of Dorset, Hampshire, Wiltshire West Sussex, West Berkshire and Surrey.
"Flooding is occurring in places already and is expected to continue," it added."Flooding is occurring in places already and is expected to continue," it added.
The problems the flooding is causing in Somerset were debated by MPs on Wednesday. Ian Liddell-Grainger, MP for Bridgewater, said a "huge area of Somerset" was "drowning" and blamed the Environment Agency for not dredging rivers. The problems the flooding is causing in Somerset were debated by MPs on Wednesday. Ian Liddell-Grainger, MP for Bridgwater, said a "huge area of Somerset" was "drowning" and blamed the Environment Agency for not dredging rivers.
He said communities remained cut off and important roads blocked.He said communities remained cut off and important roads blocked.
He said: "Homes are uninhabitable, farms are unworkable and jobs are being expensively destroyed. On the Somerset Levels, people are scared and angry – very angry.He said: "Homes are uninhabitable, farms are unworkable and jobs are being expensively destroyed. On the Somerset Levels, people are scared and angry – very angry.
"These floods were predictable and predicted. The Met Office knew that it was going to rain and anyone in Somerset with half an ounce of common sense or a bit of seaweed would also have realised it but the Environment Agency apparently failed to cotton on. In spite of its highly paid bosses and a huge team of experts it missed that fact.""These floods were predictable and predicted. The Met Office knew that it was going to rain and anyone in Somerset with half an ounce of common sense or a bit of seaweed would also have realised it but the Environment Agency apparently failed to cotton on. In spite of its highly paid bosses and a huge team of experts it missed that fact."
David Heath, MP for Somerton and Frome, said: "Places in my constituency have flooded that have never previously been flooded."David Heath, MP for Somerton and Frome, said: "Places in my constituency have flooded that have never previously been flooded."
Jeremy Browne (Taunton Deane) said: "People on the levels are unable to get their children to school, they are unable to get to work and local businesses such as pubs have lost a large amount of business."Jeremy Browne (Taunton Deane) said: "People on the levels are unable to get their children to school, they are unable to get to work and local businesses such as pubs have lost a large amount of business."