Apparently it's pretty bad:
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Monday, 6 November, 2000, 19:37 GMT
Deluge heightens flood alerts

Britain faced fresh flood alerts on Monday as many areas were swamped again by yet more downpours.

Heavy rain was falling in many parts of the country with weathermen predicting some places will get more than two inches in the next 24 hours.

In parliament the government confirmed details of a £450m spending programme on improving Britain's flood defences.

The bad weather claimed two more lives on Sunday when two people were killed after a large tree blew down and crushed their car near Richard's Castle, in Herefordshire.

There are 45 severe flood warnings on 36 rivers around Britain, stretching from Yorkshire to Kent.

Rescued
The situation is most serious in North Yorkshire and the south-east, where many towns and villages have flooded again.

The River Uck burst its banks on Sunday night, flooding Uckfield, in East Sussex, for the second time in three weeks.

The River Frome in Dorchester, Dorset, flooded at 0530 GMT on Monday.

An elderly woman was rescued from her flooded home by the fire crews at Tipton St John, in east Devon.

Across Devon the heavy rain led to a number of homes being flooded. The Environment Agency said waters were receding by Monday afternoon.

The worst rain fell on Wales and northern England

In Exton and West Meon, in Hampshire, houses have been evacuated after the River Meon burst its banks.

Flintshire, Denbighshire and Wrexham, in north east Wales, experienced their worst flooding so far. A severe flood warning has been issued on the Lower Dee between Llangollen and Chester.

A whole street in the village of Gilwern, near Abergavenny was cut off on Monday after a landslide blocked the route into the cul-de-sac.

County Durham and Cleveland have joined the list of counties with flood problems, in Lanchester and Skinningrove respectively.

Heavy rain
More heavy rain is forecast in the area, which could put intolerable pressure on already swollen rivers.

In York and Selby, both still largely underwater, preparations are being made for another swathe of water to hit overnight on Monday.

York racecourse provides an unexpected opportunity to try out a dinghy
More flooding is expected across the country on Tuesday as another band of heavy rain starts to spread from the west, striking the whole of England and Wales.

There was likely to be 35-40mm in 24 hours in most areas.

Severe flood warnings apply to the River Rother in east Sussex, the Western Rother in west Sussex and the River Beult in Kent.

The Countryside Minister, Elliot Morley, spelt out to MPs the package of aid being offered by the government. He said nothing could be done to stop the rain but more work was needed to prevent damage.

He added that pressure was being placed on insurance companies to speed up payments.

Flood damage claims were estimated to run to hundreds of millions of pounds.

House prices
Experts have also warned homeowners that property values in flood-prone areas are likely to plummet.

Prince Charles spoke up about the flooding while attending a medical conference in London, on Monday.

"Recent occurrences like the BSE disaster and - dare I mention it - the present severe weather conditions, I have no doubt are the consequence of our arrogant disregard for the delicate balance of nature," he said.

The bad weather has had a serious impact on the road and rail network.

Part of the M25 motorway in Surrey was closed on Monday morning and several train services have been cancelled or delayed.

The Environment Agency has repeated its warning that people who live in areas subject to severe flood warnings must be vigilant.
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Gwen