Bands of heavy rain drenched much of England and Wales on Wednesday, as the Met Office warned further downpours were set to hit southern regions overnight.
The Environment Agency issued 68 flood warnings but said conditions were far less severe than last year's flooding which forced thousands from their homes.
The southwest was the worst affected area, with 22 flood warnings.
Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire found itself at risk once again as the river Avon overflowed its banks following five days of rain.
However, there was relief at nearby Upton-upon-Severn in Worcestershire where rising waters were kept at bay by emergency barriers that last year arrived too late to contain the floods.
Gloucestershire Police said emergency services had been scaled down after strong winds pushed the wet weather further south, meaning predicted rainfall for the region was not as severe as feared earlier.
It said some roads remained flooded and warned drivers to take care.
"The problems will continue throughout the week," an Environment Agency spokesman told the BBC. "The next few days will be crucial." ( Reuters )