Environment Agency issues 73 flood warnings for rivers Over 70 areas in England and Wales have been warned to expect flooding as the heavy downpours continue. Forecasters are predicting that more wet weather is to come, with some areas seeing as much as 50mm of rain by the end of today. This amount is equivalent to an average fortnight's worth, the Met Office said today. Dozens of people were evacuated in the historic market town of Morpeth, Northumberland, after the River Wansbeck breached local flood defences. Over 200 properties across England and Wales have been flooded since yesterday the Environment Agency said. Parents have been asked by Northumberland County Council to consider keeping their children at home because of the conditions on the roads, with some routes being described as 'impassable'. The heavy rain and flooding have also caused major disruptions on railways and roads across the north of England and Wales, including the East Coast Mainline and the A1. Communities across Britain have been warned to prepare for further flooding after some areas saw a month's worth of rain fall in just 24 hours. The combination of continued heavy rain and the remaining surface water indicates there is a high risk of flooding. By this afternoon the Environment Agency had issued 73 flood warnings for rivers, with more than 150 less serious alerts also issued. David Jordan, director of operations at the Environment Agency, said: "Our thoughts are with those whose homes have been flooded this week. Flooding has a devastating impact on property and possessions. Our teams have been out around the clock over the last few days to minimise the risks and prepare for flooding. We urge people to keep up to date with the weather forecast and remain prepared for flooding in their area, sign up to receive free flood warnings and stay away from dangerous flood water. Motorists in Morpeth had to be rescued from vehicles overnight, and in Morpeth 85 people were evacuated from their homes this morning because of the flood risk. Residents have since been warned to take 'immediate action' after the River Wansbeck burst its banks. About 90 residents from the Dawson Place area of the town were evacuated as a precaution, and a rest centre has been set up in the town hall. Police said they were working with the local authority to help those affected. Some parts of the UK are also experiencing strong winds, with some areas being battered by gusts of over 60mph. Flooding has also affected the East Coast, CrossCountry and First TransPennine Express services. The west coast train route to Scotland remains open. East Coast trains spokesman John Gelson said: "We apologise to customers for the disruption to their journeys today. Very heavy rain across a wide area of northern England is affecting all travel today, and conditions are not expected to improve until this evening. Our advice to customers is to delay their journeys until the situation improves. Forecasters said today that the heavy rain is due to an area of low pressure which has moved across the country and is now off the north-east coast. Today it is likely to move towards the south-west and the west of Wales bringing yet more rain.