Advice on keeping warm in the cold weather
Cold weather can pose a real health risk to older and disabled people, but everyone can gain from preparing their homes for the cold.
Snow Dalek being auctioned off for charity
A man from Shropshire is auctioning off a Dalek made of snow for a local autism charity
Pupils from two schools stranded on Scottish island
Teenagers from two schools in Wolverhampton are stranded on the Isle of Arran off the West Coast of Scotland because of snow
Live updates
Flood warnings rising in the Midlands after rain and snowfall
There are currently nine flood warnings across the Midlands and 29 flood alerts.
The Environment Agency is updating its website every 15 minutes. Follow the link to see if you may be affected.
Levels on the River Avon have risen quickly overnight. This is #evesham Peak still upstream of Stratford http://t.co/7PwV5wsZ
From @DaveThroupEA on Twitter:With River Severn levels rising we're shutting the flood gates at New Street #upton
From @DaveThroupEA on Twitter:Flood Alert - River Severn #shropshire No plans currently to deploy barriers at Shrewsbury or Ironbridge http://t.co/1LGWdDfX
From @DaveThroupEA on Twitter:Eight flood warnings and 28 alerts in the Midlands
The Environment Agency has now issued eight flood warnings across the Midlands, with 29 flood alerts.
The rivers Avon, Dene, Leam and Anker seem to be posing the greatest risk in the region.
The full list can be viewed here.
Advertisement
Eighteen flood alerts now in place
Flood Alert - Barbourne Brook #worcester Heavy rain through today raising levels, more heavy rain later. http://t.co/2UIYMyOI
From @DaveThroupEA on Twitter:Flood Alert - River Avon #worcestershire Rising already but won't peak till tomorrow night. http://t.co/NtCGgCjO
From @DaveThroupEA on Twitter:Flood Alert - Bow & Piddle Brooks #worcestershire Heavy rain on saturated catchment already having effects. http://t.co/5u5JWxSg
From @DaveThroupEA on Twitter:To see if you're at risk, follow the link to a full list of alerts.
Thirteen flood alerts in the Midlands
The Environment Agency has now issued 13 flood alerts across the Midlands – meaning the risk of flooding is possible and local residents should be prepared.
To see if you may be affected, follow the link to the list of rivers at risk.
More rivers now on flood alert
In the last hour the Environment Agency has added a further three flood alerts to rivers in the Midlands.
New flood alerts in the Midlands
With rain faling through the night and into this afternoon – plus snow predicted for this evening – the Environment Agency has issued several flood alerts across the region.
Rivers in Tewkesbury, Cheltenham, Gloucester, Worcestershire and Shropshire are already raising concerns.
Oh dear, we're off again! Flood Alert - Tern and Perry catchments #shropshire Already responding to rain. http://t.co/dXAhM7fz
From @DaveThroupEA on Twitter:Flood Alert - River Arrow #herefordshire Responding quickly now to this morning's rain. More rain through afternoon http://t.co/ujWc6uO7
From @DaveThroupEA on Twitter:FLood Alert - River Worfe #shropshire Responding to today's rain http://t.co/wp626c8x
From @DaveThroupEA on Twitter:Advertisement
Calls for money to be spent on flood defences
Money must be spent on flood defences, and building on flood plains must be regulated, a group of insurance experts will say today.
They are concerned that people in high risk areas will soon struggle to get insurance. It follows months of flooding across the Midlands.
'Protecting homes from flooding is not being implemented,' says MPs
The Government has been criticised by some MPs for being too slow in introducing measures to protect homes and businesses from flooding.
The Commons Select Committee for the Environment says it's disappointed that recommendations made in 2010 still haven't been implemented.
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs MP, Anne McIntosh, said: "the public has a legitimate right to feel disappointed because there had not been a sense of urgency since 2010 to actually get a grip with flooding incidents."
UK better prepared for floods
It's claimed the UK is "better prepared than ever before" to respond to major flooding, 60 years after The Great Flood.
Read the full storyCommunication errors leaving families out of reach in Australia
An Australian TV journalist has told ITV News Central that families around the world are struggling to contact loved ones in Australia as flooding has damaged communication networks.
Brett Mason – Europe correspondent for Network 10, spoke to Central Tonight after a Midlands family had their house submerged in Queensland.
Flooding footage from The Associated Press.
Today's top stories
