June 'set to be one of wettest (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

June 'set to be one of wettest

5:59am Sunday 24th June 2012 in National News © Press Association 2013

Britain is braced for further flooding as forecasters suggested this June would be one of the wettest in the last 100 years.

More rain fell overnight across most of the country, adding to the deluges which have swamped northern counties and Scotland and forced families to flee their homes.

Further showers and possible thunderstorms are expected to hit many areas today, with the heaviest downpours in Scotland and northern and eastern England.

While these areas are no longer at risk of significant floods, the wet weather is likely to increase the burden on towns and villages as they attempt to clear up after a month's rain fell in 24 hours.

The South West is likely to see the worst of today's weather, with the area said to be at low risk of flooding caused by heavy rain overnight.

The Environment Agency has issued 23 flood warnings and 65 alerts - of which 20 are in the South West - and the Met Office has issued a "yellow" severe weather warning for the region.

An agency spokesman said: "There is a low risk of some localised flooding on Sunday across parts of south-west England due to heavy rain, so we urge people to remain vigilant. Further showers are expected across northern England, however further significant flooding is not expected here."

The warnings came after many rivers reached record levels last night, including the River Calder at Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire.

The River Yarrow burst its banks in Croston, Lancashire, flooding around 70 homes which had to be evacuated.

Clean-up operations continued in the worst-hit areas, where water levels reached waist-height.