People across Britain are being warned to prepare for flooding over the weekend as further downpours are set to drench many areas that have already become underwater.
Although yesterday was drier, more rain was forecast for last night, with up to 20mm expected to fall in some places leading to concern for hundreds of thousands of people who will be travelling ahead of the Christmas break.
The Environment Agency warned people to be braced for more threats of flooding and to use the respite in the weather yesterday to prepare.
Southern and south-western England, south Wales, the Midlands and the north-east of England are the places most at risk.
There are currently 239 flood alerts in place along with 67 more serious flood warnings where flooding is expected. But a severe flood threat that warned of danger to life in the Hampshire village of Wallington has now been lifted.
The agency said that many rivers including the Severn, Trent, Yorkshire Ouse and Derwent are continuing to rise following Thursday’s rainfall.
Motorists are being warned not to use flooded roads, with an AA spokesman saying the service attended more than 320 breakdowns on Thursday due to vehicles getting stuck in floodwater along with a further 108 yesterday.
David Jordan, director of operations at the Environment Agency, said: “More heavy rain is on its way. This rain will be falling on already saturated ground, leading to a significant risk of further flooding over the weekend and into next week.
“We’re urging people to use the respite in the weather today to prepare for possible flooding over the weekend.” The River Ouse in York is rising steadily, and levels are expected to peak later, while the nearby River Ure is also being monitored by Environment Agency staff as it rises. In Dorset the River Stour is rising and threatening farmland near Bournemouth.
Landslide
In Cornwall, there was a minor landslide near Gorran Haven which left a tonne of soil blocking the road.
And in St Cleer, near Liskeard, one woman had to be rescued from her car after becoming trapped by floodwater, while a man became trapped after driving over a humpback bridge crossing the Bude Canal and found himself surrounded by fast-flowing and rising water, Cornwall Council said. – (PA)