In parliament on Monday, the government confirmed details of a £450m spending programme on improving Britain's flood defences.
The East of Scotland suffered heavy downpours overnight, the Midlands, particularly Derbyshire and Leicestershire, had problems on Tuesday morning and many parts of North Yorkshire are still underwater, with evacuations and powercuts.
Twelve people have now died in weather-related incidents over the last 10 days, and the Environment Agency has issued 45 of its most serious alerts across 41 rivers, with more affected than ever before.
"We are breaking records by the hour," said a spokeswoman said.
'Disregard for nature'
Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott and Environment Minister Michael Meacher will meet European Union ministers in Brussels on Tuesday for talks on the threat of climate change.
The Environment Council meeting comes ahead of international talks in the Hague, starting next week, on the growing risks of extreme weather.
In parliament on Monday, the government confirmed details of a £450m spending programme on improving Britain's flood defences.
Meanwhile, Prince Charles condemned "our arrogant disregard for the delicate balance of nature" while attending a medical conference in London.
In Kent and Sussex, up to 70mm (2.7ins) of rain fell in several areas on Monday and more heavy showers are expected.
More than 35mm (1.3ins) of rain has fallen in the area of the East Stour, near the villages of Mersham and Torrington in the last 12 hours.
The area around Ashford International Station, used by Eurostar, was also flooded.
In Yalding, a village already hit twice by severe flooding, residents were told to expect river levels to rise by mid-morning to the same height as the floods last month when 30 villagers had to be evacuated.
Evacuation threat
Philip East, 46, owner of Orchard View Stores, in Lees Road, Yalding, said: "The water is about a foot deep at the moment outside the front door.
"The first time was okay, the second time may be a laugh but the third time is not funny at all."
The Environment Agency was also concerned about low-lying areas of Canterbury, particularly the Westgate area.
In Yorkshire, the agency is predicting a 1600GMT emergency for the towns of Barlby and Selby, lying south of York.
"The problem for these towns is that they are situated...after where the rivers Ouse, Nidd and Wharfe have come together," said an agency spokeswoman.
Dozens of homes in the two towns have already been flooded, amid accusations from locals that they have been sacrificed to save York - a charge denied by the emergency services.
Police and Army officers warned homeowners in the North Yorkshire villages of Beal and Birkin to evacuate their homes on Tuesday.
Forecast bleak
Persistent driving rain has been forecast for much of northern Britain on Tuesday, with the worst weather expected to spread from Northern Ireland and Scotland into northern England.
The vital A23 artery which connects Brighton, Gatwick Airport and London was cut off outside the town because of flooding, causing rush-hour chaos.
There was no relief either for rail commuters with packed rush-hour trains travelling at 5mph.
Eastbourne to Victoria services have been suspended because of a flooded tunnel and all trains between Brighton and London are subject to severe delays.
Flooding at Hassocks, West Sussex, and Cooksbridge and Patcham in East Sussex disrupted rail services on two lines.
Connex said services between Haywards Heath, West Sussex, and Brighton and Lewes, East Sussex, had stopped in both directions.
Police warned motorists not to attempt to drive into Stafford town centre after severe flooding overnight made many roads impassable.
Staffordshire Police said large parts of the town centre, including most car parks, were badly affected by flood waters after the River Sow burst its banks.
Floodline: 0845 988 1188