Thousands of properties were flooded during the summer

The Environment Agency said that saturated soil may be unable to absorb any more rainwater in the wake of recent downpours if more storms occur.

It has issued "enhanced flood warnings" across England and Wales.

Spokesman Simon Hughes said: "There is a chance there will be more wet weather and we are concerned."

'Fantastic amount'

In June, people in South Yorkshire, East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire were struck by extreme flooding.

You would expect to see that sort of thing maybe once every thousand years Terry Marsh Centre for Ecology and Hydrology

Later, severe floods affected areas such as Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire, and the village of Pennan in Aberdeenshire was hit by mudslides.

But the Environment Agency said it was "worried" that the devastation caused by the floods could return, with the North York Moors and the Severn estuary the greatest short-term risks.

It added that aquifers in the Wales, northern Elgland, the Midlands and the South West were filled after rain in July and August.

Mr Hughes warned: "Four hundred million tons of rain fell on Yorkshire in 12 hours - we are talking about a fantastic amount of water."

"There is a reduced impact if you are prepared for it. If it comes to evacuations then the police will come knocking on doors, but things like moving furniture upstairs, securing your home and turning off the gas can make it easier to get back in afterwards."

He urged residents to call the Agency's 24-hour flood line on 0845 988 1188 or visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk to find out if they lived in a risk area.

Terry Marsh, from the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology at Wallingford in Oxfordshire, said the risk of flooding could persist into 2008.

He added: "If we have a very dry autumn, soils could dry out, but typically, with average rainfall, we can expect an enhanced flood risk all throughout autumn and winter.