Storms lashed many parts of Britain today, flooding houses and causing transport chaos, with forecasters saying up to two inches of rain could fall in the worst affected areas.

The Met Office issued severe weather warnings for Wales, the West country and northeast England.

The Environment Agency published two severe flood warnings for the river Rhymney in Caerphilly and the River Taff in Aberfan -- meaning flooding was imminent -- as well as 26 other flood warnings in Wales and the south west.

Roads were impassable in many areas of Wales while police in Gloucestershire warned motorists to travel only if necessary because of standing water on many roads.

Rail company Arriva Trains Wales also advised passengers not to travel, with many routes to and from Cardiff suspended because of flooding and landslips.

Phil Rothwell, head of flood risk at the Environment Agency, said people in affected areas needed to keep a careful eye on weather websites, call the agency's Floodline (0845 988 1188) and watch television for Met Office updates.

"We've had severe rain over south Wales and southwest England for the last 24 hours," he told BBC television.

"Rivers are rising very rapidly and bursting their banks, also the drainage system that takes the water away from our urban areas is also failing."

Over the next 24 hours he said the heavy rain was forecast to move in a north easterly direction through the east midlands, up central England and into Yorkshire and the north east.

Steve Martin of the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said they had received more than 350 flooding calls in a six-hour period, including for people trapped in their cars by rising water.

"It's one of the worst days we have had for a year or so," he told the BBC. "We are preparing for things to remain extremely busy for the next 48 hours."