Sydney Morning Herald; says: "Water levels were expected to peak along the River Thames early today, with the Government pledging more money to combat Britain's worst floods in living memory. There were more desperate scenes across central and western England, which have borne the brunt of the floods, with news that a young mother's premature twins died despite her being rescued by an Royal Air Force (RAF) helicopter, while a teenager from the town of Tewkesbury had not been seen since Saturday. The British Red Cross, meanwhile, launched a nationwide appeal for funds to help tackle the effects of the floods, and raised £300,000 ($703,000) in its first hour. In addition to the £14 million it had pledged earlier this month for flood relief, the Government also announced a further £10 million aimed at battling the floods.
Its crisis response committee, Cabinet Office Briefing Room A, or Cobra, met late on Monday and again on Tuesday as some rivers topped levels reached during floods in 1947, as meteorologists forecast more rain.
The Environment Agency said that floodwater levels had peaked on the River Severn, but warned that the Thames could still experience surges."
