Regional flood and coastal risk manager Peter Quarmby said early warnings gave people vital time to prepare and helped them to protect lives and property.

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It is now hoping to apply to the government for special case funding following a meeting with the Wessex Regional Flood and Coastal Committee on 22 April.

BBC: Flooding on the Somerset Levels at Glastonbury

Experts in the region say that because multilateralism has not been promoted in the region, efforts such as, for instance, regional flood forecasting has not progressed well.

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"We're preparing for what we call level three flood operations, which is the major flood event, " a regional State Emergency Service operations controller, Darren Winkler, told ABC.

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But it wouldn't just be an airport - the ambitious plans for a Thames Hub would bring together rail, freight logistics, aviation, energy and its transmission, flood protection as well as regional development.

BBC: Lord Foster unveils plans for Thames Estuary airport