2000 Troops Aid UK's Flood Victims Ahead of Deluge 13.02.14
19As communities in Southern, South West and Central England remain at risk of flooding as yet more heavy rain is expected tomorrow and on Saturday, military personnel from the Army, Royal Navy and the RAF are continuing to help rescue flood victims and protect homes.
More than 2,000 servicemen and women have been committed to tasks with thousands more at a state of high readiness to assist if requested as another storm front of torrential rain moves in, threatening to add to the misery of those already forced from their homes.
The Ministry of Defence says military personnel remain embedded in various Silver and Gold Command headquarters across flood-affected areas, ready to react to calls for help.
In Berkshire around 100 soldiers from 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers have been in Wraysbury, while more than 300 more remain in Windsor, Datchet and nearby Chertsey in Surrey.
They are doing everything from filling and distributing sandbags and erecting barriers to assisting residents and inspecting existing flood defences.
In Reading, more han 30 personnel from 9 Transport Logistics Regiment are creating a sandbag wall at Southcote Mill.
Across Surrey, over 360 military personnel from 2 Royal Gurkha Rifles, 1st Battalion Royal Welsh and elements from both 19 and 47 Regiment Royal Artillery have been assisting the multi-agency relief effort.
During the last 24 hours a sandbag wall has been built by soldiers to defend Desborough Island, as well as helping with the deployment of a flood barrier at Chertsey Bridge Road.
At Croydon and Kenley, Army personnel have been sandbagging and constructing flood defences with a particular focus on protecting a water chlorination plant which is vulnerable to potential flooding.
Meanwhile at Chievely, 80 members of RAF personnel are working to fill sandbags on behalf of the Environment Agency at a Highways Agency depot -- more than 20,000 sandbags have already been filled at this site over recent days
On the Somerset Levels around 100 Royal Marines continue to move and fill sandbags, filling "Hesco" barriers, relocating pumps and providing general support to the local authorities and emergency services.
There is also a military presence in Winchester, Hamsphire, where assistance is being provided to people whose homes have been affected by flooding. The Army's Engineering Dive Team is available to assist with removing blockages from water courses.