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More rain, wind and snow . . . an 'almost unparalleled natural crisis'

Flood victims are bracing themselves for yet more misery as heavy rain, wind and snow is set to batter Britain. Forecasters warn that the appalling conditions which have ravaged communities show no signs of abating, with heavy rain expected today and Saturday. A "multi-pronged attack" of wind, rain and snow is expected to strike today, with heavy rain leading to more potential flooding as downpours of up to 40mm (1.6 inches) could fall in only six hours, with gusts of up to 70mph, a Met Office spokesman said. Around 56,000 households remain without power after gusts of up to 108mph battered parts of the country in the "Wild Wednesday" storms, which left one man dead and hundreds stranded as transport networks were hit. Communities in southern, south-west and central England remain at risk of flooding as heavy rain is expected today and Saturday. The Environment Agency (EA) still has 16 severe flood warnings – which mean a risk to life – in place in the Thames Valley and Somerset, as well as 128 flood warnings across England and Wales. As well as surface water problems the rain could also impact on already "full-to-bursting" rivers while some coastal areas could be at risk as blustery conditions could bring large waves. In the highlands of Wales, northern England, Northern Ireland and Scotland, the rain could turn to snow, with 5cm to 10cm (2-4 inches) falling above 300 metres and perhaps as much as 20cm (8 inches) above 400 metres. Windsor, Maidenhead and communities along the Thames Valley in Surrey remained at high risk of flooding from the River Thames last night and today, with significant flooding of homes and businesses expected. The Thames has recorded some of its highest levels for 60 years, the Environment Agency said, and while water levels may fall briefly they are expected to rise again on the Thames and River Severn, affecting places already experiencing flooding. Flooding continues on the Somerset Levels and Moors, and there is still a high risk of coastal floods in Dorset. EA chief executive Paul Leinster said: "We are continuing to see the very real and devastating impacts that flooding can have on communities and businesses. We know the distress that flooding can cause and are doing everything we can to reduce the impact. "Some communities will see a brief respite, but unfortunately the risk of flooding will continue. We ask people to remain vigilant and take action where necessary. "We expect to see river levels rising again with more rain forecast for today and tomorrow." EA programme director Toby Willison later told a Whitehall press briefing: "I expect we will see hundreds of properties looking to flood." The Government's chief fire and rescue adviser Peter Holland said that 70 per cent of the fire and rescue services in England and Wales were now involved in the flood relief effort. "We are now seeing the largest deployment of fire and rescue service assets since the Second World War." Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg rejected calls for cash to be diverted from the UK's £11billion foreign aid budget to help flood victims. The Government will review flood defences after waters have receded, said Mr Clegg, promising: "I will make sure, as Deputy Prime Minister, that as we review things we do so in a way that makes lasting change, where we can make that change, where we can afford it and deliver it." He said he backed dredging in rivers where it could make a difference, but warned that it should not be viewed as a "magic wand" solution. The latest bad weather will compound the misery for communities who have seen rivers rise to record levels and prolonged flooding in what has been described by Army chief Major General Patrick Sanders as an "almost unparalleled" natural crisis. Bank of England governor Mark Carney said the chaos even threatened to derail Britain's economic recovery. Since early December, 5,800 properties have been flooded across the country, with high winds causing further problems on Wednesday. Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Davey said the current conditions showed the "possible consequences of a world in which extreme weather events are much more likely". At an event hosted by think-tank the Institute for Public Policy Research, Mr Davey delivered a stinging attack on the fringes of the Conservative Party and Ukip for "parroting the arguments of the most discredited climate change deniers". But in questions after the speech, he insisted that he worked very closely with Environment Secretary Owen Paterson, who has come under fire from green groups for his climate change scepticism, on flooding, and that he had support from around the Cabinet table including from the Prime Minister. The first priority was to tackle the consequences of the current flooding, power cuts and transport disruption, Mr Davey said. Communities Secretary Eric Pickles announced in a written statement to MPs that councils would be able to reclaim emergency spending on flood relief until the end of May in recognition of "the extended nature of the weather". "This vital extension will give councils the reassurance that they will have time to deal with the effects of the weather and still have time to properly assess local costs," he said. Some 80 per cent of payments under the Bellwin scheme, which provides emergency financial assistance to local authorities during exceptional circumstances, will also be made now, rather than forcing councils to wait until the situation has cleared up. "This means that local authorities will have access to the cash they need right now to deal with the pressing problems caused by the weather. "Local authorities simply need to put in a request to my department and we will pay up to 80 per cent of spending which is eligible under the Bellwin scheme," said Mr Pickles. He added: "For the avoidance of doubt, where local authorities issue sandbags as a result of an emergency the cost can be claimed through the Bellwin scheme. In that context, I wish to be clear that no local authority should be charging their residents for sandbags." Christchurch Borough Council in Dorset has come under fire from ministers after it emerged it was charging locals £30 for four sandbags on the basis that the situation in the area was not an emergency. David Cameron chaired the first meeting of a new Cabinet committee set up to coordinate long-term plans on flood recovery and resilience. He said that it remained the Government's immediate priority to do all it could to help affected local communities and coordinate the emergency response. "We are doing everything we can to help people and businesses deal with the flooding and get back on their feet," he said.

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