Flood crisis in England

Flood crisis grows as rivers rise
The flooding crisis in central and western England continues as Britain's two biggest rivers, the Severn and the Thames, threaten to overflow.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown is visiting Gloucestershire, the worst-affected county, where thousands of people have been left without water supply.

About 40,000 homes have also lost power after an electricity substation in Gloucester was closed after flooding.

Mr Brown said the government would be setting up a review of the crisis.

The prime minister flew by helicopter over Gloucestershire before heading to the police headquarters where the emergency response is being co-ordinated in the county.

He said the government would set up a review focusing on drainage and how Britain could protect itself against further flooding.

Extra funding would also be given to local authorities to help pay for essential emergency work in the aftermath of the crisis, he said.


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Meanwhile, the Environment Agency has warned water levels are expected to exceed those of the devastating floods of 1947.

It said water levels on the River Severn and Thames could reach a "critical" level in some areas.


Severe flood warnings are in place for the Midlands, Oxfordshire and Bedfordshire.


A spokesman for the agency said the River Severn and the Thames would continue to swell until Tuesday and that levels on both rivers could increase beyond those of 60 years ago.

In March 1947, millions of pounds of damage was caused in the south of England, the Midlands, East Anglia and North Yorkshire when many of the country's rivers burst their banks.

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Environment Agency chief executive Baroness Young told the BBC that about £1bn a year was needed to improve flood defences.

Environment Secretary Hilary Benn defended the government's flood response, saying there are lessons to be learned but denying flood defences had not been maintained properly.


Meanwhile, the Association of British Insurers has said the total bill for the June and July floods could reach £2bn.

Sir John Harman, the chairman of the Environment Agency, warned summer floods could become more frequent in the future.
Severn Trent Water said 150,000 homes in Gloucestershire were without water after a treatment works was flooded.

People were being urged not to panic buy and to do all they could to conserve water.

No electricity

Peter Bungard from Gloucestershire County Council told BBC Five Live about 300,000 people had been affected.

Bottled water was being provided and a number of water bowsers being deployed to the area, he said.

Elsewhere in Gloucestershire, 43,000 homes were left without power after a major electricity substation was turned off because of the rising water.


UK FLOODED


A spokesman for the Central Networks Castlemeads substation said areas of Gloucester, parts of Cheltenham and some homes across the county border in Herefordshire had been affected.

Around 3,000 households later had power restored after their supply was switched to an alternative source.

At a second substation at Walham, Gloucester, the RAF and firefighters have been battling through the night to stop the floods entering the plant.

Assistant chief fire officer Chris Griffin said he believed the situation was now under control.

The county council has appealed to builders merchants to supply "dumpy bags" - giant sandbags - to help the operation.

Electricity supplier Central Networks has advised customers to ring 0800 328 1111 to report loss of supply.

BBC Radio Gloucestershire visited residents in Tewkesbury, one of the worst affected areas of Gloucestershire, and described a jovial mood among those cut off by flood waters.

One resident from a block of flats whose car park was covered in water said people were "laughing" and taking events in their stride.

Over the border, parts of Worcestershire were under 6ft of water and the Army has been deployed to help emergency services provide supplies to people in Upton-upon-Severn.

Warwickshire and Berkshire have also been badly affected and severe warnings remain in place for Oxfordshire.


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We must now look at proper regional controls and answers for surface water problems
Ted Smith, Worcester


Residents at risk of flooding in Oxford have been told to leave their homes as water levels are expected to rise.

Some homes in Oxford, Abingdon, Kidlington and Bladon have already been flooded and conditions are expected to deteriorate.

John Kelly, Oxford's Emergency Planning Officer, said 1,500 evacuees were expected at Oxford United's football stadium.

Bill Oddy, from West Oxford District Council, said the area could experience further flooding problems in the next 48 hours.

'Critical' situation

Meanwhile, the government is expected to announce on Monday that it is rejecting calls to stop building houses on flood plains, despite the recent extensive flooding.

A draft of the Housing Green Paper, which was obtained by the BBC, says it is "not realistic" to rule out new developments in areas at risk of flooding.

The Environment Agency has issued nine severe flood warnings.

There are five in the Midlands for the River Avon and River Severn between Evesham, Tewkesbury and Gloucester.


Three severe flood warnings are in place for Oxfordshire, from Eynsham to Abingdon, and one has been issued for River Great Ouse from Turvey to Sharnbrook in Bedfordshire.

Joe Giacomelli, a spokesman for the Environment Agency, said the situation was "looking critical".

BBC forecaster Chris Fawkes said the heaviest rain was due to fall in southern England in an area between the Isle of Wight and Suffolk, where an inch of rain could fall on Monday.

He also said Gloucestershire and Worcestershire could see 10 or 15 millimetres of rainfall.

Environment Agency floodline: 0845 988 1188


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Story from BBC NEWS:
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Published: 2007/07/23 10:20:23 GMT

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