Flood-hit Cumbria set for more rain
People in flood-hit Cumbria were braced for further misery with more heavy rain and flooding forecast.
Up to 100mm (3.9in) of rain is predicted to fall on parts of the county's already saturated ground, raising river levels again in the county and putting the emergency services on flood alert through the day.
The Environment Agency said it was also monitoring the level of the River Severn, and temporary defences have been put up to protect homes in Shrewsbury, Upton-upon-Severn and Bewdley.
The warnings came as hundreds of residents of washed-out Cockermouth in Cumbria were allowed back to their homes and businesses to begin a huge clean-up operation following last week's record-breaking deluge.
There are currently 20 flood warnings in place - 10 in north-west England, six in Wales, three in the Midlands and one in the North East - with a further 75 flood watches across the country.
The agency's director of operations, David Jordan, said of the worst-hit areas: "We are now assessing the damage and checking flood defences, and will be working with emergency services and local authorities to get people back into their homes as quickly as possible.
"However, with further heavy rainfall expected...we want to reiterate to people that river levels will remain high, rivers will be fast flowing and flood water is exceptionally dangerous.
Meanwhile, EU funds could help pay for storm damage repairs in areas affected by flooding. The European Commission said the Government had 10 weeks to apply for assistance from the EU budget if it wanted to do so. Money is available from a European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) set up in 2002 in response to severe flooding in central Europe.
Cash can be triggered in the event of a major natural disaster which causes at least 3.4 billion euros (about £3 billion) of "direct damage". One commission official said structural damage already caused by flooding in the Cumbria region could already be sufficient for the Government to submit an application for help from the fund.
