The Met Office has issued a series of flood warning today, as heavy rain continues to pour down.

The government forecaster warned of heavy rain in Wales, the West Midlands and southwestern England, with severe gales, gusting up to 70 miles (113 kilometers) an hour, predicted for London and Southeast England.

They said on their website: “The heavy rain could lead to flooding in some areas and cause disruption to transport networks... That rain will be accompanied by strong southerly winds with gusts to gale or severe gale force over southern and southeastern England.''

The flood warnings affect parts of the River Severn by the towns of Gloucester, Tewkesbury and Worcester, the Environment Agency said on its Web site. The three towns were hit by flooding in July when the Severn burst its banks.

If another similar flood happens, thousands of people will once again be claiming on their home insurance, driving the cost of premiums up again.