As more weather-related misery overwhelms the country, heartbreaking images have emerged of residents struggling to save their homes.
Families across the country have been forced to flee their water-logged houses as flood water continues to rise dangerously where river defences have been breached.
After a brief respite today Britain faces more chaos as another storm brings heavy rain, strong winds and further risk of flooding tomorrow and into the weekend.
With some 5,800 properties flooded since early December and no immediate end to the crisis in sight, Prime Minister David Cameron will cut short his attendance at an international wildlife conference today to focus on dealing with the flooding.
But many have already had to watch helplessly as waves of sewage-filled water engulf their homes.
UK Floods: Residents battle to save belongings
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WORCESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 12: Matt Beesley looks out of the window in his flooded living room that faces onto the River Severn on February 12, 2014 in Worcester, England. The Environment Agency has issued flood warnings for dozens of areas along the River Severn. With heavier rains forecast for the coming week people are preparing for the water levels to rise. (Photo by Rob Stothard/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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WORCESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 12: The River Severn is seen from outside the front of a house on Diglis Avenue on February 12, 2014 in Worcester, England. The Environment Agency has issued flood warnings for dozens of areas along the River Severn. With heavier rains forecast for the coming week people are preparing for the water levels to rise. (Photo by Rob Stothard/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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WORCESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 12: Water floods a row of terrace houses along the banks of the River Severn on February 12, 2014 in Worcester, England. The Environment Agency has issued flood warnings for dozens of areas along the River Severn. With heavier rains forecast for the coming week people are preparing for the water levels to rise. (Photo by Rob Stothard/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Floodwater surrounds a property in the village of Wraysbury, west of London on February 12, 2014. Flooded communities in Britain faced a fresh battering from storms and high winds, with hundreds more homes threatened by the advancing waters. Gusts approaching 100 miles (160 kilometres) per hour tore at parts of England and Wales, and the River Thames was predicted to rise to its highest level in more than 60 years in places, threatening towns and villages to the west of London. AFP PHOTO / CARL COURT (Photo credit should read CARL COURT/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A resident sandbags his front door to protect against flooding in the village of Wraysbury, west of London on February 12, 2014. Flooded communities in Britain faced a fresh battering from storms and high winds, with hundreds more homes threatened by the advancing waters. Gusts approaching 100 miles (160 kilometres) per hour tore at parts of England and Wales, and the River Thames was predicted to rise to its highest level in more than 60 years in places, threatening towns and villages to the west of London. AFP PHOTO / CARL COURT (Photo credit should read CARL COURT/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A local resident smokes a cigarette on the doorstep of his flood affected house where a boat is moored in Egham on February 12, 2014. Flooded communities in Britain faced a fresh battering from storms and high winds, with hundreds more homes threatened by the advancing waters. AFP PHOTO / JUSTIN TALLIS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Soldiers assist residents trying to protect their property from floodwaters in Egham, west of London on February 12, 2014.. Flooded communities in Britain faced a fresh battering from storms and high winds, with hundreds more homes threatened by the advancing waters. AFP PHOTO / JUSTIN TALLIS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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WORCESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 12: Gardens are flooded on Diglis Avenue on February 12, 2014 in Worcester, England. The Environment Agency has issued flood warnings for dozens of areas along the River Severn. With heavier rains forecast for the coming week people are preparing for the water levels to rise. (Photo by Rob Stothard/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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WORCESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 12: Water floods a row of terrace houses along the banks of the River Severn on February 12, 2014 in Worcester, England. The Environment Agency has issued flood warnings for dozens of areas along the River Severn. With heavier rains forecast for the coming week people are preparing for the water levels to rise. (Photo by Rob Stothard/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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WORCESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 12: The River Severn is seen from outside the front of a house on Diglis Avenue on February 12, 2014 in Worcester, England. The Environment Agency has issued flood warnings for dozens of areas along the River Severn. With heavier rains forecast for the coming week people are preparing for the water levels to rise. (Photo by Rob Stothard/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A soldier talks to a woman in a flood-affected house in Wraysbury, west of London on February 12, 2014. Flooded communities in Britain faced a fresh battering from storms and high winds, with hundreds more homes threatened by the advancing waters. Gusts approaching 100 miles (160 kilometres) per hour tore at parts of England and Wales, and the River Thames was predicted to rise to its highest level in more than 60 years in places, threatening towns and villages to the west of London. AFP PHOTO / CARL COURT (Photo credit should read CARL COURT/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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STAINES, UNITED KINGDOM - FEBRUARY 12: A man rescues his possessions using a supermarket trolley from his flooded home on February 12, 2014 in Staines, United Kingdom. The Environment Agency contiues to issue severe flood warnings for a number of areas on the river Thames in the commuter belt west of London. With heavier rains forecast for the coming week people are preparing for for the water levels to rise. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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STAINES, UNITED KINGDOM - FEBRUARY 12: Children leave a flooded home on February 12, 2014 in Staines, United Kingdom. The Environment Agency contiues to issue severe flood warnings for a number of areas on the river Thames in the commuter belt west of London. With heavier rains forecast for the coming week people are preparing for for the water levels to rise. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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MARLOW, UNITED KINGDOM - FEBRUARY 12: A large property close to the river Thames is surrounded by flood waters on February 12, 2014 in Marlow, England.The Environment Agency continues to issue severe flood warnings for a number of areas on the river Thames in the commuter belt west of London. With heavier rains forecast for the coming week people are preparing for for the water levels to rise. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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BOURNE END, UNITED KINGDOM - FEBRUARY 12: Various garden objects are piled against a house on the banks of the river Thames which is surrounded by high flood waters on February 12, 2014 in Bourne End, England. The Environment Agency continues to issue severe flood warnings for a number of areas on the river Thames in the commuter belt west of London. With heavier rains forecast for the coming week people are preparing for for the water levels to rise. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A couple wade along a flooded road near Egham, west of London on February 12, 2014. Flooded communities in Britain faced a fresh battering from storms and high winds as emergency efforts in stricken areas picked up following criticism of a sluggish response. AFP PHOTO / CARL COURT (Photo credit should read CARL COURT/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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WORCESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 12: A man carries his dog through floodwater on Waterworks Road on February 12, 2014 in Worcester, England. The Environment Agency has issued flood warnings for dozens of areas along the River Severn. With heavier rains forecast for the coming week people are preparing for for the water levels to rise. (Photo by Rob Stothard/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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WRAYSBURY, UNITED KINGDOM - FEBRUARY 12: Inspector Alan Barnes of the RSPCA water rescue team evacuates a pet cat called Mac from a house in a flooded area next to the river Thames on February 12, 2014 in Wraysbury, England.The Environment Agency contiues to issue severe flood warnings for a number of areas on the river Thames in the commuter belt west of London. With heavier rains forecast for the coming week people are preparing for for the water levels to rise. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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WORCESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 12: Laurence George stands inside his garage with dog Harvey on Waterworks Road on February 12, 2014 in Worcester, England. The Environment Agency has issued flood warnings for dozens of areas along the River Severn. With heavier rains forecast for the coming week people are preparing for for the water levels to rise. (Photo by Rob Stothard/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A wall of bricks is placed on a front door step in an effort to prevent floodwaters from entering the property in Egham on February 11, 2014. Driven by the wettest winter in England since 1766, the floods first hit southwest England about seven weeks ago. But they are now creeping eastwards towards London, into the wealthy suburbs lining the River Thames which are the heartland of Cameron's centre-right Conservative party. AFP PHOTO / JUSTIN TALLIS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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WRAYSBURY, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 11: Resident Ian Grey stands in his doorway surrounded by floodwater on February 11, 2014 in Wraysbury, England. The Environment Agency has issued severe flood warnings for a number of areas on the river Thames west of London. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Local residents inspect flood damage in the bedroom of a house in Egham on February 11, 2014. Driven by the wettest winter in England since 1766, the floods first hit southwest England about seven weeks ago. But they are now creeping eastwards towards London, into the wealthy suburbs lining the River Thames which are the heartland of Cameron's centre-right Conservative party. AFP PHOTO / JUSTIN TALLIS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A local resident wades through his flooded kitchen as he returns to his home in Egham on February 11, 2014. Driven by the wettest winter in England since 1766, the floods first hit southwest England about seven weeks ago. But they are now creeping eastwards towards London, into the wealthy suburbs lining the River Thames which are the heartland of Cameron's centre-right Conservative party. AFP PHOTO / JUSTIN TALLIS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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WORCESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 12: Jade Moss carries a bag of belongings as she and her family evacuates their flooded home on Diglis Avenue on February 12, 2014 in Worcester, England. The Environment Agency has issued flood warnings for dozens of areas along the River Severn. With heavier rains forecast for the coming week people are preparing for the water levels to rise. (Photo by Rob Stothard/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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BRIDGWATER, UNITED KINGDOM - FEBRUARY 06: Somerset farmer, 66-year-old Bob Hall, loads some of his possessions onto a tractor trailer as he prepares to leave his property that flooded this morning in Fordgate on the Somerset Levels near Bridgwater on February 6, 2014 in Somerset, England. The Environment Agency has issued two new severe flood warnings one for the Fordgate and Northmoor area and the second for the A361 from East Lyng to Burrowbridge and Avon and Somerset police recommending that Northmoor, Saltmoor and Fordgate residents evacuate the villages because of the severe weather warning. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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NORTH PETHERTON, UNITED KINGDOM - FEBRUARY 05: Fordgate resident, 72-year-old Julian Taylor, loads some of his possessions into a Devon and Somerset Fire brigade truck that will take him to safety as he prepares to leave his property that flooded this morning in Fordgate on the Somerset Levels near Bridgwater on February 6, 2014 in Somerset, England. The Environment Agency has issued two new severe flood warnings one for the Fordgate and Northmoor area and the second for the A361 from East Lyng to Burrowbridge and Avon and Somerset police recommending that Northmoor, Saltmoor and Fordgate residents evacuate the villages because of the severe weather warning. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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YALDING, ENGLAND - JANUARY 02: Residents use a boat to rescue possesions from flooded caravans at the Little Venice Country Park on January 2, 2014 in Yalding, England. Government ministers are holding a COBRA emergency committee meeting today to discuss the United Kingdom's response to recent flooding. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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YALDING, ENGLAND - JANUARY 02: Residents rescue possesions from flooded caravans at the Little Venice Country Park on January 2, 2014 in Yalding, England. Government ministers are holding a COBRA emergency committee meeting today to discuss the United Kingdom's response to recent flooding. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Suhair Al-Fouadi looks at her flooded lounge in Egham, Surrey. (credit:PA)
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Members of the army carry belongings to higher ground in Egham, Surrey. (credit:PA)
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A member of the army carries a television to higher ground in Egham, Surrey. (credit:PA)
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A member of the army carries a television to higher ground in Egham, Surrey. (credit:PA)
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Residents walk through flooding in Wraysbury, Berkshire. (credit:PA)
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Residents walk through flooding in Wraysbury, Berkshire. (credit:PA)