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| Stormy weather raises flood fears | Stormy weather raises flood fears |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Families and householders hit by last summer's flooding are bracing themselves for more severe weather. | Families and householders hit by last summer's flooding are bracing themselves for more severe weather. |
| Heavy rain began lashing western England overnight and a repeat of July 2007's devastation is feared. | Heavy rain began lashing western England overnight and a repeat of July 2007's devastation is feared. |
| Defences have been built in many areas, and severe gales are forecast for much of west and south-east England. | Defences have been built in many areas, and severe gales are forecast for much of west and south-east England. |
| Flash floods have been predicted across areas of England and Wales, and forecasters say up to 25mm (1in) of rainfall is expected in some places. | |
| 'Troublesome' | 'Troublesome' |
| Gale-force winds have been predicted of 60-65mph on the south-east coast of England and 50mph inland. | |
| Chris Fawkes from the BBC weather centre said that the rain had left much of the ground saturated - and although Wednesday was expected to be dry, further storms on Thursday could result in further floods. | |
| "Today's rain won't drain through the system, so we could be looking at a very similar situation [to today], and there may well be more flooding," he said. | |
| Flood warnings have been issued along the River Severn between Worcester and Tewkesbury, and from Tewkesbury to upstream of Gloucester. | Flood warnings have been issued along the River Severn between Worcester and Tewkesbury, and from Tewkesbury to upstream of Gloucester. |
| Kate Nelmes of Gloucestershire Police said: "We're not expecting things to be as serious as last year but we want to make sure we're prepared in case things get worse." | |
| Sgt John Roberts of West Mercia Police warned drivers in Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Shropshire that flooding on the roads was likely. | Sgt John Roberts of West Mercia Police warned drivers in Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Shropshire that flooding on the roads was likely. |
| He added: "If you come across a flooded road, do not attempt to cross it as you cannot judge how deep the water will get and what hidden hazards may be under the water." | He added: "If you come across a flooded road, do not attempt to cross it as you cannot judge how deep the water will get and what hidden hazards may be under the water." |
| Disruption caused by the weather has included: | Disruption caused by the weather has included: |
| The Environment Agency has 37 flood warnings and 125 flood watches in place. | |
| 'Ridiculous' | 'Ridiculous' |
| Gloucestershire County Council highway teams have been clearing debris from roads and inspecting the conditions of the region's highways. | Gloucestershire County Council highway teams have been clearing debris from roads and inspecting the conditions of the region's highways. |
| In Upton-upon-Severn, Worcestershire, which was badly affected during the summer floods, the river has burst its banks, but defences have prevented it flooding the town centre. | |
| We can't live like this, every time it rains we're running home to save our possessions Kelly Bartlett, Gloucester resident class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=4062&edition=1&ttl=20080115105100">Send us your comments | |
| More than 4,000 homes and 500 businesses across Gloucestershire were affected by last year's floods. | More than 4,000 homes and 500 businesses across Gloucestershire were affected by last year's floods. |
| Kelly Bartlett, of the Longlevens Flood Committee in Gloucester, one of the city's worst-affected wards, said the council had begun last-ditch efforts to widen and deepen the brook which runs through her area and residents were busy lining the streets with sandbags. | Kelly Bartlett, of the Longlevens Flood Committee in Gloucester, one of the city's worst-affected wards, said the council had begun last-ditch efforts to widen and deepen the brook which runs through her area and residents were busy lining the streets with sandbags. |
| "Everyone in this area has stayed at home, no one has gone to work. | |
| "You can't live a normal life. Every time it rains, you have to stay at home. | |
| "People have moved their belongings upstairs." | |
| Advice | Advice |
| Many flood warnings have remained in place since Friday, when flash flooding brought roads and railways to a standstill. | Many flood warnings have remained in place since Friday, when flash flooding brought roads and railways to a standstill. |
| The agency said it expected the number of flood warnings to increase as the bad weather crossed Britain. | The agency said it expected the number of flood warnings to increase as the bad weather crossed Britain. |
| A spokeswoman said people in areas where warnings are in place should take action against potential flooding of homes and businesses. | A spokeswoman said people in areas where warnings are in place should take action against potential flooding of homes and businesses. |
| The agency advised people to continually check the flood information section of the Environment Agency website, which is updated every 15 minutes. | The agency advised people to continually check the flood information section of the Environment Agency website, which is updated every 15 minutes. |