'Worst floods in modern history'
Updated on 23 July 2007
The flooding in central and western England is now a national emergency that could cost billions of pounds.
Emergency services say the present flooding is the worst to hit the country in modern history.
It has submerged vast swatches of land, leaving at least 350,000 people without fresh water and tens of thousands without power.
And ministers have warned that the emergency is far from over: eight severe flood warnings remain in force. Insurers estimate the damage at a cost of £2bn.
In Gloucester emergency services are fighting to keep the Walham electricity sub-station open, which powers half a million homes. The prime minister visited the rescue efforts today.
Oxford United's football stadium is being turned into an emergency shelter for up to 1,500 evacuees.
More than 100 navy personnel have been sent here to Tewkesbury, where 70,000 people are stranded.
Oxford is preparing for worse to come. 3,000 properties have been flooded, schools closed and roads shut - and will get worse.
More severe flood warnings have been issued for Oxfordshire, where the Thames is threatening to burst its banks.
People have been advised to avoid travelling into the Oxford area, and Oxford United's football stadium is being turned into an emergency shelter for up to 1,500 evacuees.
