With floodwaters expected to rise in the British town of Staines, rescue efforts already are underway for the elderly.<br/> <br />Severe flood warnings remain in place for much of the south and west of Britain.<br/> <br />Parts of southwest England have been under water for weeks after heavy rain in February followed the wettest January in nearly 250 years.<br/> <br />The government, which has been criticized for reacting too slowly to the floods, has promised to spend whatever is needed for the relief effort.
