British officials to assess flood damage

MORPETH, England, Sept. 8 (UPI) -- British officials said Monday they would assess the damage from torrential weekend rains and widespread flooding that killed eight people.

Floods Recovery Minister John Healey was set to visit a flood-stricken British town Monday to make a first-hand assessment of the devastation caused by the weekend's heavy rains, Sky News reported.

Weather forecasters said hundreds of areas in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland would be dealing with flooded rivers and tributaries this week as ecosystems coped with two-day rainfall amounts more typical for a month.

Northeast England has been the most seriously affected, The Times of London reported, but flash floods have also hit parts of Yorkshire, Shropshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

One of the worst-affected areas was Morpeth, Northumberland, Sky News said. There, more than 100 people have been rescued by boat since Saturday afternoon because of flooding. Police told the broadcaster 240 people were being sheltered at local school after being evacuated from their homes.