Floods alert as more rain forecast (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Floods alert as more rain forecast

2:42pm Wednesday 13th June 2012 in National News © Press Association 2013

Parts of England and Wales face the risk of flooding once again after warnings of more heavy rain.

The Environment Agency urged people in Devon, Cornwall, west Somerset, North Wales and parts of the Midlands to remain prepared for the possibility of floods as the Met Office issued a weather warning for heavy rain.

Intense thundery downpours are expected, which could lead to flash flooding in some areas.

Devon and Cornwall are at an increased risk of floods, and caravan and camping site operators across the South West should be ready to take action if flooding occurs, the Environment Agency said.

Residents and holidaymakers had to be rescued and evacuated from homes and caravan parks near Aberystwyth, Mid Wales, over the weekend in the face of floods, while parts of England have also been hit by flooding in the past few days.

The Environment Agency currently has five flood warnings in place for rivers, where flooding is expected, and 21 less serious flood alerts.

The government agency has sent equipment to pump out floodwater in Newburn, near Newcastle, where a collapsed culvert caused a build-up of water on the River Dene, and in Felpham and Bognor Regis, West Sussex, where residents had to be evacuated after floods hit their homes following heavy rainfall this week.

Sussex Police, West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service and council officers said they were working together to evacuate people from flooded homes in the village of Elmer, near Bognor Regis, after reports of flooding of up to 6ft in some homes.

They used inflatable boats to reach 250 vulnerable homes, knocking on doors and searching properties to make sure people were safe and received the help they needed, a Sussex Police spokeswoman said.

Residents were taken to Arun Leisure Centre in Felpham, West Sussex, and 10 people are being looked after and offered the support of designated housing officers to help find accommodation and liaise with insurance companies, she added.