A Downing Street Spokesperson said:

Environment Secretary Owen Paterson was due to chair COBR tomorrow and make a statement to the house.

Unfortunately due to emergency surgery to repair a detached retina he will be unable to do so. He is expected to be off for a few days.

In his absence, Communities Secretary Eric Pickles will be in charge of the Government’s response to the floods. He will chair tomorrow afternoon’s COBR. However, the Prime Minister will remain very closely involved.