Some homes in the region have already flooded

The threat of flooding in Gloucester, Tewkesbury and Forest of Dean is not expected to recede until next week and many homes have already been affected.

The county council said inadequate drains were exacerbating the problems caused by the heavy rain.

The Environment Agency has warned people to be "vigilant" as water still needed to move through the system.

Michelle Horner, from Stonehouse, has just been flooded for the fourth time in 16 months.

She said she was struggling to cope and had only just completed �250,000 worth of repairs on her home.

"I dread the weatherman coming on. What is he going to tell me next? You're on tenterhooks," she said.

A flood warning remains in place on the Severn but levels are expected to peak later on Environment Agency

"People daren't go on holiday and leave their home. What are you going to come back to?"

Meanwhile, residents have their last chance on Wednesday to give their views on how much they want to spend on flood defences for the county.

People have been given three options on how the money raised through a council tax hike should be deployed.

Option one is for a council tax increase of 3.8% with no extra money to deal with flood prevention or drainage.

Option two is for an additional 1.1% on top on the base increase, to create a "fighting fund" of �2.3m to tackle flood prevention and drainage works.

Option three is for an additional 3.1% on the base, which would increase the flood fund to �4.5m and provide for capital investment of �25m to pay for investment in flood prevention and drainage.

Flood warnings remain in place across the county

The budget will be approved by the council on 20 February.

Speaking about the threat of flooding, Environment Agency spokesman David Throup said: "There is a fair amount of water that needs to move through the system.

"Most of the rain has fallen around the south of the country, and Gloucestershire has had more than its fair share.

"We are expecting water levels in the River Severn to rise by 10cm (3.9in) [on Wednesday] - but current predictions are that that rainfall will only top it up.

"A flood warning remains in place on the Severn but levels are expected to peak later on.

"We need to stay very vigilant. It all depends on the amount of rain and where it falls. If we were to get more rain than predicted it could leave us with problems."

On Wednesday afternoon, BBC weatherman Richard Angwin said: "Although we have had a drier interlude of weather, more heavy rain will threaten parts of the region later on Thursday and more particularly on Friday.

"Friday's rain could be quite heavy and prolonged and another 20 to 30mm of rain could fall in some areas already badly affected by recent downpours."