Storm Dennis: No let-up as flood warnings continue

Flood warnings remain in place across the UK after parts of north-west England experienced more than a month's worth of rain in the last 24 hours.

Two areas in Cumbria, Seathwaite and Honister Pass, recorded more rain than the county's February average of 112mm.

Nearly 100 flood warnings remain across the UK - six of them in England severe, meaning there is a danger to life.

The severe warnings are across the Midlands near the Welsh border around the Rivers Lugg, Severn and Wye.

Hundreds of people have been evacuated from their homes due to floods, with the worst-affected areas including south Wales, Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire.

In Gloucestershire, more than 300 people staying on a travellers' site have been stranded by flood water.

Also in the county, a man has told of how he waded into floodwater to rescue a woman who had been trapped on the roof of her submerged car for 12 hours.

Mark Smith, 51, told the Victoria Derbyshire programme: "I could hear someone shouting for help. She was half in the car and half in the water."

In Wales, a blockage believed to have caused flooding in a village was found to have been caused by woodland cut down by Natural Resources Wales, a government-sponsored body.

Earlier, firefighters in Brecon rescued a woman who was clinging to a branch in a fast-flowing river.

In Coalbrookdale, Shropshire, Chris Harrison said he had "lost everything" after his cafe was flooded twice in two days.

He said volunteers turned up at 06:00 GMT on Sunday to help sweep out the mud - only to see it flooded once again on Monday.

"I don't know what we will do until it dries, which could take weeks. I've got no money coming in and a mortgage to pay but I'm also worried about my staff," he told the BBC.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has faced criticism from opposition parties for not visiting flood-hit communities.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said he was showing his "true colours by his absence", adding that the prime minister was sending a "clear message" by not convening the government's emergency committee, Cobra.

Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price also questioned why Mr Johnson had not convened Cobra.

Fire Brigades Union general secretary Matt Wrack said his union had been raising the issue of long-term planning to deal with extreme weather events for years, but had found the government's response to be "lacklustre".

On Wednesday, business minister Nadhim Zahawi told Sky News the prime minister was focused on getting "money out the door" to businesses and local authorities in affected communities.

"He wants to help people by getting funding to them," Mr Zahawi said.

Environment Secretary George Eustice said the government was investing £2.6bn in flood defences.

There was heavy rain across northern and western parts of Britain overnight and during Thursday.

In Cumbria, in Honister Pass, 178mm of rain fell in 24 hours, while in Seathwaite 158mm of rain was recorded.

According to the Environment Agency, England has already received 141% of its average February rainfall so far this month.

River levels in the Colne, Ribble, Calder, Aire, Trent, Severn, Wye, Lugg, and Derwent all set new records in recent days, it added.

Earlier, floods led to disruption across parts of the rail network, affecting Avanti West Coast, Northern and TransPennine Express services and some routes in Wales.

Meanwhile, charity the RSPCA said animal rescue officers had been called out more than 200 times in the past 72 hours - including for "dramatic rescues" of 60 sheep, horses, a swan and chickens.

Actor Michael Sheen, from Neath Port Talbot, has launched a crowdfunding campaign to help flooded communities in south Wales.

"The devastation that Storm Dennis has left behind is very real and thousands of people across the UK have lost everything," said Mr Sheen, 51.

The Environment Agency's flood warnings mean "immediate action" is required. But what should you do? Here's what the agency suggests:

For more information, check the BBC Weather website and your BBC Local Radio station for regular updates.

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