Flood fears persist with more rain forecast

By Tim Castle

LONDON (Reuters) - More than 70 flood warnings were in place on Wednesday after days of heavy rain, with the forecast for more downpours later in the week.

The Met Office said as much as two inches (5O mm) of rain could fall on Wales over Friday and Saturday.

"Some of that will drain into the Severn Valley, and have an impact on the areas already at risk," a spokesman said.

The next two days however are expected to be mainly dry.

"There is no reason at this point to assume that things will get markedly worse than they already have been," the spokesman added.

Householders in affected areas are being issued with sandbags to protect their homes against a repeat of last year's devastating floods.

A severe flood warning in place from Kimbolton to Great Staughton in Cambridgeshire was downgraded after water levels eased along the River Kym, but the Environment Agency said people nearby needed to remain on alert.

Police said some roads in Huntingdonshire remained impassable because of heavy rain overnight although others had reopened.