Respite in sight for those hit by floods

The outlook for flood-weary home owners seemed positive for the first time in weeks yesterday when the Environment Agency scaled down its severe warnings.

The outlook for flood-weary home owners seemed positive for the first time in weeks yesterday when the Environment Agency scaled down its severe warnings.

Renewed flooding predicted for the South over the weekend failed to materialise thanks to the combined efforts of the emergency services and a lower rainfall than expected.

Although the Environment Agency has warned that the long-term picture looks gloomy with little likelihood of a let-up until April, the number of severe flood warnings dropped to eight last night, the lowest since 25 October. But parts of the rivers Derwent, Aire, Lavant and Lower Dee remained a matter of concern.

In Chichester, West Sussex, serious flooding was averted by a massive pumping operation to divert water away from the historic town.

A canoeist drowned over the weekend in a flood-swollen river. The woman, in her early 20s, was in a group of three in the river Tavy on the fringe of Dartmoor.