The devastating UK floods are set to continue as more heavy rain hits already saturated ground.The Met Office has issued a severe rain weather warning for south-west England and there are 16 severe flood warnings in southern England.
However, the situation in the worst hit areas of the Thames is expected to improve this week.
David Cameron described the floods as a “tragedy” and warned people to prepare for more bad weather this week.
Persistent rain
Up to 20mm (0.8in) of rain is forecast in south-west England on Monday.
The BBC Weather Centre said this would not normally cause too many problems but because of the saturated ground there was a yellow severe weather warning – meaning “be aware”- for rain in the south-west.
BBC weather presenter Susan Powell said with the prospect of persistent rain the focus was on south-west England and south Wales because of the current flooding situation.
Tuesday and Wednesday should be drier but another area of low pressure looks set to arrive on Thursday and Friday, with stronger winds and more rain, but it is not expected to be as intense as last week.
The prime minister chaired a meeting of the government’s emergency committee Cobra on Sunday night and announced a £10m fund to help businesses recover from the floods.
He is expected to meet residents, volunteers and troops in affected parts of Worcestershire and Gloucestershire later.
‘Profuse thanks’
Mr Cameron said: “I am hopeful that the work to strengthen long-term flood defences, and the emergency measures which have been put in place over recent days and weeks will mean that we can minimise the number of homes and businesses affected by the latest high water levels.
“The recent flooding has been a tragedy for all those affected and my thoughts are with them.
“While it is of no comfort to those individuals, over 1.3 million other homes have been protected since December and we will continue to invest in flood defence measures to protect even more.
“Extensive efforts to protect and repair properties and infrastructure are ongoing by many thousands of people among agencies, the military and the emergency services.
“I speak for us all when I thank them profusely for their hard work.”
