Thousands braced for flood misery

Thousands of homeowners are facing the prospect of more flooding over the next 48 hours.Some parts of the UK are on the brink of serious flooding and homeowners and businesses have been warned to prepare for the worst as river levels continue to rise.Several of the areas devastated by last summer's deluges look set to be washed out again.Forecasters are predicting more heavy rainfall for the rest of the week with Northern England, the Midlands and Wales expected to be the worst hit.The Environment Agency has issued 87 flood warnings and 191 flood watches across the country.Forecaster Nikki Berry said: "Today is not going to be as windy as it has been and there should be some let up in Gloucester - but they can expect more wet weather later in the week."Currently we have a front that has settled across Northern England and that will remain until about mid-morning or lunchtime."We have got another system due tomorrow which will bring very heavy rain and some hill snow in Northern England, Wales and the Midlands."Then we are expecting more heavy rain on Friday. That will settle from around Birmingham northwards for much of the weekend. It is a very wet outlook."The Port of Dover - which was forced to close for a time because of the storms - has reopened but only at 75 per cent capacity.Kent Police advised motorists to avoid using the M20 to approach the port and instead use the A20 because of tailbacks. They asked freight traffic to continue to use the M20.The worst of the rain hit the south of the country as there were widespread reports of motorists becoming stuck in their cars. Many train services were cancelled as tracks became submerged.Hampshire firefighters rescued several motorists caught in rising water and a couple from a flooded housing complex.© Independent Television News Limited 2008. All rights reserved.

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ITN | January 16, 2008

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