LONDON - Flooded communities in England and Wales are expecting more heavy rain, adding to fears flood defences might not withstand rising river levels.

About 1,400 homes and businesses have been affected by the floods in the wake of downpours brought by Storm Dennis.

The Rivers Wye and Severn reached their highest-ever levels, with people evacuated from nearby at-risk areas.

The Met Office has issued three yellow weather warnings for rain for Wales and Yorkshire, which begin on Wednesday.

Around the UK, more than 140 flood warnings remain in place, including six severe - or "danger to life" - warnings.

Among the worst affected areas are south Wales, Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire, where major incidents have been declared.

Tory MP Craig Whittaker - who represents the Calder Valley in West Yorkshire, which was badly affected by Storm Ciara - said the government's response to the flooding has been inadequate.

He told the BBC's Today programme he had been "hammering on doors on Whitehall" since the flooding began nine days ago to get the government to trigger its emergency funding scheme, which was announced on Tuesday night.(FA)