Flood Fears: Emergency Services On High Alert In UK
By Sky News SkyNews - 1 hour 36 minutes agoEmergency services are on high alert today as deluges threaten flooding across England and Wales.
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Forecasters are predicting steady rain through the day with some localised downpours and thunder storms.
Friday promises to bring more of the same.
The Environment Agency says that despite drier weather yesterday, the ground remains saturated in some areas. It is urging people to remain vigilant.
Some 65 flood warnings are in place as well as 134 flood watches, and defences have been installed in high-risk areas including many that were left underwater after floods last summer.
The Environment Agency has issued a severe flood warning for the River Kym in Cambridgeshire, and said 180 properties were at risk of flooding in a village in East Yorkshire.
The tidal gate on the River Humber has been closed at Burstwick Clough, and an agency spokesman said there was a danger the water could overwhelm the defences.
Elsewhere, rail services were badly disrupted yesterday, with taxis and replacement bus services being brought in to transport passengers in Powys and Hampshire.
The Highways Agency is warning motorists to take extra care on the roads during the bad weather, and advised anyone planning a long journey to pack food and warm clothes in case they became trapped.
In a statement it said: "Surface water may affect motorways and major A-roads so we advise drivers to move slowly through any standing water and test their brakes once they're through before continuing to drive
