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| Thousands remain on flood alert | Thousands remain on flood alert |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Homeowners in parts of England and Wales remain on flood alert after forecasts of more heavy rainfall over the weekend. | |
| More than 40 flood warnings are in place, with Wales, the Midlands and northern England most at risk. | |
| But an Environment Agency spokesman said the situation was not as serious as it had been in the summer. | But an Environment Agency spokesman said the situation was not as serious as it had been in the summer. |
| The greatest threat was from persistent and heavy rain falling on already saturated ground. | The greatest threat was from persistent and heavy rain falling on already saturated ground. |
| 'Rivers are full' | |
| David King, of the Environment Agency, said: "The situation at the moment is reasonably stable, but our focus is on the weather forecast for Sunday and Monday, because there is a band of pretty heavy rain that is forecast. | David King, of the Environment Agency, said: "The situation at the moment is reasonably stable, but our focus is on the weather forecast for Sunday and Monday, because there is a band of pretty heavy rain that is forecast. |
| "If that actually transpires then of course the ground is saturated. The rivers are full and they're more likely to see more flooding." | "If that actually transpires then of course the ground is saturated. The rivers are full and they're more likely to see more flooding." |
| Mr King added: "We're particularly worried about the Severn Valley - right from Shrewsbury right down through Gloucester - but also the north of the country, particularly Yorkshire, Oxfordshire and indeed part of Cambridgeshire." | Mr King added: "We're particularly worried about the Severn Valley - right from Shrewsbury right down through Gloucester - but also the north of the country, particularly Yorkshire, Oxfordshire and indeed part of Cambridgeshire." |
| The BBC weather service said rain would continue to fall across Wales, the Midlands and northern England throughout Sunday and into Monday. | The BBC weather service said rain would continue to fall across Wales, the Midlands and northern England throughout Sunday and into Monday. |
| Travel affected | |
| The Met Office forecast persistent and locally heavy rain on Monday, possibly turning into snow over northern hills. | |
| It predicted widespread rainfall of up to 30mm (1in), with a risk of up to 75mm (3in) over hills. | |
| Severe weather has already closed roads, hit travel and threatened homes across England and Wales this week. | Severe weather has already closed roads, hit travel and threatened homes across England and Wales this week. |
| In Oxfordshire 17 homes in the village of Kelmscott, in the west of the county, were damaged on Friday by 3ft (0.9m) of water. | |
| FLOOD WARNINGS: WHAT TO DO Move pets, vehicles and valuables to safetyAlert your neighbours, particularly the elderlyPut sandbags in place and plug sinks and bathsBe ready to turn off gas and electricityUnplug electrical items and move them upstairsCo-operate with emergency services and local authoritiesDo what you can in daylight Source: Environment Agency | FLOOD WARNINGS: WHAT TO DO Move pets, vehicles and valuables to safetyAlert your neighbours, particularly the elderlyPut sandbags in place and plug sinks and bathsBe ready to turn off gas and electricityUnplug electrical items and move them upstairsCo-operate with emergency services and local authoritiesDo what you can in daylight Source: Environment Agency |
| An Environment Agency statement covering the weekend said: "We are warning people across the Midlands to prepare for flooding again over the next few days, as the latest weather forecast from the Met Office is predicting heavy rainfall. | An Environment Agency statement covering the weekend said: "We are warning people across the Midlands to prepare for flooding again over the next few days, as the latest weather forecast from the Met Office is predicting heavy rainfall. |
| "While everyone living in a flood-risk area should remain vigilant, we believe that flooding is especially likely to occur on the Severn and its tributaries north of Shrewsbury, and in Gloucestershire. | "While everyone living in a flood-risk area should remain vigilant, we believe that flooding is especially likely to occur on the Severn and its tributaries north of Shrewsbury, and in Gloucestershire. |
| "Along the lower reaches of the Trent and its tributaries - Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and Derbyshire - we are expecting a slight worsening of the current situation." | "Along the lower reaches of the Trent and its tributaries - Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and Derbyshire - we are expecting a slight worsening of the current situation." |
| In Gloucestershire - one of the counties worst affected by the July 2007 flooding - police issued a statement reassuring residents. | |
| Gloucestershire Police's silver control, set up by the force as a precaution in case the weather worsens, remains in operation over the weekend. | |
| However, its commander, Chief Inspector Richard Smith, said they did not expect anything major to happen. | |
| "The situation is very different to that of July but as weather predictions can change we will continue to be prepared for any event," he said. | |
| "We would ask people to remain vigilant, be aware of the forecasts and to stay tuned to local broadcasts for updated information." | |
| Have you been affected by the flooding or know someone who is? Send us your experiences by filling out the form below. | Have you been affected by the flooding or know someone who is? Send us your experiences by filling out the form below. |
| Do you have any pictures or video of the flooding? If so, you can send them to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 07725 100 100Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video | Do you have any pictures or video of the flooding? If so, you can send them to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 07725 100 100Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video |
| At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |