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Gales and flash floods predicted Stormy weather sweeps across UK
(about 7 hours later)
Many parts of the UK face flash floods and travel chaos as heavy rain and gale-force winds start to take effect, the BBC weather service has warned. Some communities hit by last summer's flooding are bracing themselves for more severe weather.
Storms have been predicted in western England in some of those areas badly affected by last summer's floods, including Gloucester. Heavy rain began lashing parts of western England overnight and many families are fearing a repeat of the devastation caused in July 2007.
Flood warnings have been issued along the River Severn between Worcester, Tewkesbury and Gloucester. Defences are being built in many areas, including Gloucester and Tewkesbury.
Defences are being built in a number of villages and cities. Flash floods and travel chaos has been predicted across much of England and Wales during rush hour, with up to 25mm (1in) of rain falling in some places.
'Troublesome'
Tomasz Schafernaker, a BBC weather forecaster, said the downpours would get heavier through the morning.
He also predicted gale-force winds of 60-65mph on the south-east coast of England and 50mph inland.
"This weather is nothing exceptional, it's more troublesome, causing delays and disruptions to commuters," he said.
"More severe problems could be localised."
Flood warnings have been issued along the River Severn between Worcester and Tewkesbury, and from Tewkesbury to upstream of Gloucester.
Gloucestershire County Council highway teams has been clearing debris from roads and inspecting the conditions of the region's highways.
'Ridiculous'
The BBC's Jon Kay said "nervous" residents in Gloucester had moved all their possessions upstairs, and were using sandbags and rolled-up carpets to protect their homes.The BBC's Jon Kay said "nervous" residents in Gloucester had moved all their possessions upstairs, and were using sandbags and rolled-up carpets to protect their homes.
He added many families had only just returned home after last summer's floods.He added many families had only just returned home after last summer's floods.
We can't live like this, every time it rains we're running home to save our possessions Kelly Bartlett, Gloucester resident
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.
"We've only just moved back into our homes after the flooding last summer," she said.
"It's ridiculous. We can't live like this, every time it rains we're running home to save our possessions."
'Evacuation procedures''Evacuation procedures'
Kathy Williams, a county councillor who lives in Gloucester, told the BBC local people were being advised to prepare.Kathy Williams, a county councillor who lives in Gloucester, told the BBC local people were being advised to prepare.
"We've asked people to be resilient and look after their properties by sandbagging them, moving their property upstairs and getting ready for any evacuation procedures that we have to carry out," she said."We've asked people to be resilient and look after their properties by sandbagging them, moving their property upstairs and getting ready for any evacuation procedures that we have to carry out," she said.
The storms are expected to drive in from the west to southern England and Wales during Tuesday. The Environment Agency has 10 flood warnings in place and 76 flood watches.
Rain and gale-force winds are predicted to hit the rest of England, Northern Ireland and Scotland later on. Flood warnings have remained in place since Friday, when flash flooding brought roads and railways to a standstill.
Roads and train tracks, even in city centres, face the prospect of being swamped, the BBC said. The agency said it expected the number of flood warnings to increase as the bad weather crossed Britain.
Tomasz Schafernaker, a BBC weather forecaster, said that flash floods could be expected, even in London's underpasses, because of the volume of rain overwhelming drainage systems.
Flood watches
The Met Office predicted about 25mm of rain would fall in some areas.
But Mr Schafernaker said the exact location of potential floodings was hard to predict.
"That's the million dollar question that we'd like to know in advance," he said.
The forecaster said the strongest winds were likely to hit Dover and the Dover Strait, where severe gale force levels are predicted.
The Environment Agency has eight flood warnings in place and 61 flood watches.
The agency said it expected the number of flood warnings to increase as the bad weather crosses 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.
Do you live in one of the areas where weather warnings are in place? How are you preparing to protect your home or business? Please use the form below to tell us about how you are being affected by the severe weather.Do you live in one of the areas where weather warnings are in place? How are you preparing to protect your home or business? Please use the form below to tell us about how you are being affected by the severe weather.
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
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