More floods feared after heavy rain (From The Argus)

More floods feared after heavy rain

6:17am Tuesday 1st May 2012 in National News © Press Association 2013

Parts of England and Wales are facing fresh flood fears after heavy rain lashed parts of Britain overnight following the wettest April since records began.

More than 20mm (0.8in) of rain deluged some regions in the space of 12 hours as already-saturated river catchments neared bursting point - and more downpours are forecast for today.

It came after a man and his dog drowned when their car attempted to cross a flooded ford in Hampshire and around 1,000 people were evacuated from a Northamptonshire caravan park on Monday.

The Environment Agency (EA) remains on "high alert" for flooding and said it is placing "particular focus" on the counties of Somerset, Dorset and Devon, which experienced some of the heaviest of the overnight rainfall.

The agency has put in place 40 flood warnings across England and Wales where flooding is expected and 152 flood alerts, where flooding is possible. The only region to not be affected by the warnings is the North West.

The EA said in a statement: "There is still a risk of flooding across many parts of England and Wales with particular focus on Somerset, Dorset and Devon. River flows are high after this weekend's rainfall and we are keeping a close watch on river levels as well as checking defences and clearing any potential blockages to reduce the risk of flooding."

Meanwhile the Met Office has issued an amber warning of severe rain and storms in south west England until 3pm on Tuesday. Yellow warnings for heavy downpours are in place for the south and east of England, southern Wales, London and the Midlands.

A Met Office spokesman said: "Outbreaks of rain, heavy and possibly thundery, are likely to affect southern England and the southern half of Wales, during Tuesday.

"The public should be aware that, following recent heavy rainfall, further localised flooding is possible, with parts of Devon, Dorset and Somerset looking especially vulnerable. There will also be difficult driving conditions at times.

"As we move through daylight hours on Tuesday the risk of heavy rain will gradually reduce. In addition, strong north easterly winds are likely across the Midlands and parts of Wales."