The Midlands may never be fully protected against disastrous flash floods, the Environment Agency warned last night, as the region struggled to fight back 48 hours after the devastating storms

Baroness Young, agency chief executive, said that flooding on this scale may become more commonplace.

"With climate change we're going to see more of these almost unpredictable heavy rainfalls falling in places fairly randomly and at very short notice."

She added: "It may well be that we can't protect people from those - we just have to make sure that we warn them well."

That came as Environment Secretary Hilary Benn warned flood-hit Worcestershire that the emergency was not yet over, as the Midlands struggled to fight back 48 hours after the disastrous storms.

Speaking as he visited Worcester city centre, the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said yesterday that residents should brace themselves for more flooding as further rain was predicted to hit the region last night.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown chaired a meeting of the Government's Cobra emergency contingencies committee last night to discuss the response to the flooding. He is expected to visit flood affected areas this morning.

Worcestershire County Council's cabinet member responsible for emergency planning, Simon Geraghty, said the cost of repairing and rebuilding the county's infrastructure could run into as much as #10 million.

He said the Government's Bellwin Scheme, which gives emergency financial assistance to local councils, does not include these long-term costs.

Mr Geraghty said: "These costs all have to be borne. What we are saying is that these should be included."

Emergency services across the West Midlands remained on a state of high alert as a huge clean-up operation was under way following the worst flooding in 60 years.

Hereford and Worcester Fire Service received more than 1,000 calls in 24 hours - equivalent to ten per cent of the figure they expect to take annually.

With more rain and storms forecast for this week, police were advising motorists against unnecessary journeys.

West Mercia Police urged holidaymakers to consider postponing their trip for at least 24 hours and to avoid the M5 and M50. Many minor roads in ..TEXT: Hereford and Worcestershire, Warwickshire and Gloucestershire were expected to remain impassable for days.

Dozens of people were rescued from the worst-hit areas close to the Severn and Avon rivers, some airlifted out, and more than 20 ferried by boat from a hotel in Evesham. The centre of Tewkesbury remained cut off last night.

Up to 150,000 people were left without mains water after the town's Mythe Water Treatment Works was deluged.

Severn Trent Water warned shortages in Gloucester, Cheltenham and Tewkesbury would last for the next 72 hours and super-markets saw panic-buying by customers.

The Environment Agency said severe flood warnings remained in place in Worcestershire, Warwickshire and Gloucestershire - taking in Evesham, Worcester, Stratford-upon-Avon and Tewkesbury.

There were 18 flood warnings and 31 parts of the West Midlands subject to flood watch alerts - where flooding is possible if the heavy rain continues. Across the Midlands as a whole, 62 flood warnings were in place.

Medical authorities issued warnings about the danger of contaminated water.

Anyone coming into contact with flood water is being advised to wash their hands thoroughly, especially after taking part in clean-up activities and before touching or eating food. Cuts and other open wounds should be covered with a waterproof plaster. Food or drink suspected of being contaminated should be thrown away.

And in Tewkesbury, Severn Trent warned of possible mains water shortages after floodwater forced the closure of a water treatment plant. An emergency operation was launched in Birmingham after the River Cole burst its banks in Sparkbrook.

Dozens of householders were evacuated from Percy Road and Forman's Road and put up in an overnight shelter at Birmingham Sports Centre, Balsall Heath, where they were joined by commuters left stranded by the closure of New Street Station.

Thirty people were trapped in a hotel in Evesham after floodwater wrecked the ground floor.

Shirley Start, owner of the Northwick Hotel on the banks of the River Avon, said the only way in and out of the premises was by boat. At its worst, the water level rose to 6ft.

Those who lived nearby were rescued by the emergency services, and the remaining 27 people were helped from the hotel yesterday.

Food, including bacon sandwiches, was ferried to the trapped guests by boat.

Mrs Start said: "We were all really scared when we saw the water rising and rising and at one point it was one panel away from the top doors of the reception. It felt like the sea was coming in."

At Upton-on-Severn, water was only inches below the record-breaking levels of the 1947 flood.

The Rev Jeff Radcliffe, vicar at St Peter and St Paul, said the unprecedented flooding inspired community spirit.

"There is literally a sea of water. It is awesome and frightening at the same time.

"But everyone seems to be taking it in their stride. People are wandering around taking photographs and partying in the street," he said.

A pregnant woman who went into labour while stranded in a car on the flooded M5 was taken to hospital, but later discharged without giving birth.

Paramedics spent four-and-a-half hours battling to get the woman, in her 20s, to hospital. She was travelling with her family on the southbound carriageway, near Tewkesbury early on Saturday morning.

South Warwickshire experienced some of the worst flooding, prompting the county council and police to declare a major emergency.

Rest centres at Stratford-upon-Avon High School and Wellesbourne Conservative Club provided a safe haven for 75 elderly people evacuated from their homes.

The RNLI's rapid response team rescued a woman with a seven-month-old baby and several elderly people from the Royal British Legion Club in Tewkesbury.

Andy Clift, the RNLI team leader, said: "We rescued around 55 people plus various pets, from budgies to dogs. I've never known anything like this - all our volunteers have been deeply affected by these extraordinary events and we have huge sympathy for everyone suffering from the flooding."

Warwickshire Police Assistant Chief Constable Lewis Benjamin said: "The extreme weather conditions have tested the collective preparations of the emergency services and local authority emergency planning contingencies.

"Our continued efforts, together with the assistance of the public, have enabled us to minimise the destruction and inconvenience caused by the worst of the flooding.

"People have generally respected this request to take sensible precautions and have acted accordingly. We still urge caution when attempting to cross flooded areas."

Marion Davis, acting chief executive at Warwickshire County Council, said: "We urge the public to continue to take a responsible approach to the emergency and look out for their neighbours, friends and family."

Hereford and Worcestershire, Warwickshire and Gloucestershire were expected to remain impassable for days.

Dozens of people were rescued from the worst-hit areas close to the Severn and Avon rivers, some airlifted out, and more than 20 ferried by boat from a hotel in Evesham. The centre of Tewkesbury remained cut off last night.

Up to 150,000 people were left without mains water after the town's Mythe Water Treatment Works was deluged.

Severn Trent Water warned shortages in Gloucester, Cheltenham and Tewkesbury would last for the next 72 hours and super-markets saw panic-buying by customers.

The Environment Agency said severe flood warnings remained in place in Worcestershire, Warwickshire and Gloucestershire - taking in Evesham, Worcester, Stratford-upon-Avon and Tewkesbury.

There were 18 flood warnings and 31 parts of the West Midlands subject to flood watch alerts - where flooding is possible if the heavy rain continues. Across the Midlands as a whole, 62 flood warnings were in place.

Medical authorities issued warnings about the danger of contaminated water.

Anyone coming into contact with flood water is being advised to wash their hands thoroughly, especially after taking part in clean-up activities and before touching or eating food. Cuts and other open wounds should be covered with a waterproof plaster. Food or drink suspected of being contaminated should be thrown away.

And in Tewkesbury, Severn Trent warned of possible mains water shortages after floodwater forced the closure of a water treatment plant. An emergency operation was launched in Birmingham after the River Cole burst its banks in Sparkbrook.

Dozens of householders were evacuated from Percy Road and Forman's Road and put up in an overnight shelter at Birmingham Sports Centre, Balsall Heath, where they were joined by commuters left stranded by the closure of New Street Station.

Thirty people were trapped in a hotel in Evesham after floodwater wrecked the ground floor.

Shirley Start, owner of the Northwick Hotel on the banks of the River Avon, said the only way in and out of the premises was by boat. At its worst, the water level rose to 6ft.

Those who lived nearby were rescued by the emergency services, and the remaining 27 people were helped from the hotel yesterday.

Food, including bacon sandwiches, was ferried to the trapped guests by boat.

Mrs Start said: "We were all really scared when we saw the water rising and rising and at one point it was one panel away from the top doors of the reception. It felt like the sea was coming in."

At Upton-on-Severn, water was only inches below the record-breaking levels of the 1947 flood.

The Rev Jeff Radcliffe, vicar at St Peter and St Paul, said the unprecedented flooding inspired community spirit.

"There is literally a sea of water. It is

awesome and frightening at the same time.

"But everyone seems to be taking it in their stride. People are wandering around taking photographs and partying in the street," he said.

A pregnant woman who went into labour while stranded in a car on the flooded M5 was taken to hospital, but later discharged without giving birth.

Paramedics spent four-and-a-half hours battling to get the woman, in her 20s, to hospital. She was travelling with her family on the southbound carriageway, near Tewkesbury early on Saturday morning.

South Warwickshire experienced some of the worst flooding, prompting the county council and police to declare a major emergency.

Rest centres at Stratford-upon-Avon High School and Wellesbourne Conservative Club provided a safe haven for 75 elderly people evacuated from their homes.

The RNLI's rapid response team rescued a

woman with a seven-month-old baby and several elderly people from the Royal British Legion Club in Tewkesbury.

Andy Clift, the RNLI team leader, said: "We rescued around 55 people plus various pets, from budgies to dogs. I've never known anything like this - all our volunteers have been deeply affected by these extraordinary events and we have huge sympathy for everyone suffering from the flooding."

Warwickshire Police Assistant Chief Con-stable Lewis Benjamin said: "The extreme weather conditions have tested the collective preparations of the emergency services and local authority emergency planning contingencies.

"Our continued efforts, together with the assistance of the public, have enabled us to minimise the destruction and inconvenience caused by the worst of the flooding.

"People have generally respected this request to take sensible precautions and have

acted accordingly. We still urge caution when attempting to cross flooded areas."

Marion Davis, acting chief executive at Warwickshire County Council, said: "We urge the public to continue to take a responsible approach to the emergency and look out for their neighbours, friends and family."

* Paul Mott, forecaster with MeteoGroup UK, said the Midlands can expect about an inch (25mm) of rain between today and Wednesday, when most of the region will see heavy showers.

He added: "There's a good risk of rain on Monday afternoon but we'll only see about 5mm then.

"There will be a few sunny spells on Tuesday, with temperatures peaking at 21?C (70?F), but on Wednesday heavy showers, bringing at least 10mm of rain, and it will be breezy. The rest of the week will remain unsettled."