Floods, disruption as heavy rain pounds soggy UK

[July 07, 2012]  LONDON (AP) -- Rain is gradually easing across Britain after weeks' worth fell within hours, flooding homes, washing out roads and disrupting train travel.

The Environment Agency issued more than 200 flood warnings and alerts Saturday. Southwest England, where up to 3 inches (7.6 cm) of rain fell overnight, was worst affected.

Hundreds of residents in the county of Devon were put on alert for possible evacuation as the River Yealm burst its banks.

Organizers of the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, 50 miles (80 kilometers) northwest of London, told thousands of fans planning to park at the venue to stay away from Saturday's qualifying sessions after rain made some of the parking lots unusable.

Britain is even more prone to flooding than usual following the wettest June on record.

[Associated Press]

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