Further flood fears in more heavy rain

There are fears that more severe flooding could be on the way as the Met Office upgrade many of its severe weather warnings to ‘amber’ for the rest of the week.

Much of Devon and the South west will be covered by the ‘amber’ warnings and will see heavier rainfall than other areas.

Forecasters predict that further spells of heavy and persistent rain will remain in Devon until a Saturday morning adding an extra strain to already saturated ground.

The Met Office’s Chief Forecaster said: “Another area of low pressure will bring spells of heavy rain to southern England from Thursday afternoon to Friday morning, with 20-40 mm of rain falling widely.

“A further Atlantic frontal system will bring a band of rain quickly eastwards during Friday night and early Saturday, with the heaviest rain again likely to be across parts of southern England, followed in turn by heavy showers.

“Another 10-20 mm of rain and locally 30 mm will fall in the Amber area, leading to further flooding. Winds will also be a feature during Friday night and Saturday with severe gales possible around coasts in the southwest of England.”

Further severe gales which saw winds of over 90mph at the Met Office’s Berry Head observation station are also expected over the next few days.

The Environment Agency currently has 8 “risk to life” flood warnings in the South West mainly in the coastal areas such as Exmouth and Dawlish.

There are also 27 require “immediate action warnings” around rivers and coasts in the South West  and 54 “be prepared” flood alerts across the region.

These warnings update on a regular basis so may change at a rapid pace depending on the impact of further rain.

David Cameron chaired an emergency meeting of COBRA today to organise the government’s response to the further floods.

In today’s Prime Minister’s Questions, Mr Cameron also announced that the government would make an extra £100 million available for flood repair.

Mr Cameron told MPs that: "Whatever is required, whether it is dredging work on the rivers Tone and Parrett, whether it is support for our emergency services, whether it is fresh money for flood defences, whether it's action across the board, this government will help those families and get this issue sorted."

While most of this money will be spent across the country in the next year, £10 million will go to immediate repairs in Somerset.

Mr Cameron also told MPs that the Government would meet in full local councils' claims from the Bellwin scheme which offers some financial support for emergency road repairs.