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Residents across Herefordshire and Worcestershire battle historic floods

Video Credit: SWNS STUDIO - Duration: 01:40s - Published
Residents across Herefordshire and Worcestershire battle historic floods

Residents across Herefordshire and Worcestershire battle historic floods

Thousands of residents in Herefordshire and Worcestershire are spending a fourth day cleaning up their homes and businesses after suffering the worst flooding in 200 years.

Police also released a picture of tragic widow Yvonne Booth, 55, who was swept to her death when her car was stranded in rising flood water.

Rescue teams were forced to call off the search for Ms Booth after she went missing in floods near Tenbury, Worcs., on Sunday (16/2).

Today (Tue) there are 36 flood warnings across Worcestershire, and five severe flood warnings meaning there is a danger to life.

Firefighters are also evacutating dozens of elderly residents from a care home in Whitchurch, Herefordshire, after it was "overcome by flooding".

Superintendent Sue Thomas, the Local Policing Commander for Herefordshire and head of the emergency flooding response team, said: "We still very much in an emergency phase.

"Whilst the rivers going through Hereford city have gone down significantly, we are still concerned about the River Lugg and River Wye towards Symonds Yat so there's still a lot to do.

"Our immediate concern is that we do have got to stage where we do need to evacuate a care home in Whitchurch.

"We are working with the proprietor and all of the staff to make sure that is done safely for the residents." Residents in Upton upon Severn, Worcs., have also been urged to evacuate their homes after more heavy rain was forecast.

Bewdley Bridge and Stourport Road/Beale's Corner, both in Bewdley, Worcs., are shut and Severnside flood defences are now in place in the town.

Meanwhile in Tenbury Wells, Worcs., 130 homes and almost every business on the High Street was affected by flood water.

In Hereford, the River Wye - which peaked at a record 6.10m (21ft) at 12pm on Monday (17/2) had dropped to 4.54m (15ft) by 10am today (Tue).

Elsewhere across the county, there was more misery for residents in Wolverley, Worcs., following a night of more heavy rain.

Wyre Forest District Council said that six homes, a pub and cafe were affected and the road is still flooded in the village centre.

The council have urged people to observe the road closure signs, follow diversions and refrain from moving signs and driving through the water.

In Shropshire, around 30 properties are reportedly being evacuated in Ironbridge due to pressure from the River Severn causing the road surface to crumble away.

The A38 in Staffordshire was closed in both directions between the B5016 for Barton-under-Needwood and the A5121 for Branston due to flooding.

The Environment Agency has warned the impact of Storm Dennis, along with further rain forecast this week, could affect people living along the River Severn until the end of the week.

Dave Throup, Environment Agency manager for Herefordshire and Worcestershire, said: "I've seen things I would not have believed.

"Large parts of my home town and village are underwater.

"This is not normal flooding, we are in uncharted territory."

Thousands of residents in Herefordshire and Worcestershire are spending a fourth day cleaning up their homes and businesses after suffering the worst flooding in 200 years.

Police also released a picture of tragic widow Yvonne Booth, 55, who was swept to her death when her car was stranded in rising flood water.

Rescue teams were forced to call off the search for Ms Booth after she went missing in floods near Tenbury, Worcs., on Sunday (16/2).

Today (Tue) there are 36 flood warnings across Worcestershire, and five severe flood warnings meaning there is a danger to life.

Firefighters are also evacutating dozens of elderly residents from a care home in Whitchurch, Herefordshire, after it was "overcome by flooding".

Superintendent Sue Thomas, the Local Policing Commander for Herefordshire and head of the emergency flooding response team, said: "We still very much in an emergency phase.

"Whilst the rivers going through Hereford city have gone down significantly, we are still concerned about the River Lugg and River Wye towards Symonds Yat so there's still a lot to do.

"Our immediate concern is that we do have got to stage where we do need to evacuate a care home in Whitchurch.

"We are working with the proprietor and all of the staff to make sure that is done safely for the residents." Residents in Upton upon Severn, Worcs., have also been urged to evacuate their homes after more heavy rain was forecast.

Bewdley Bridge and Stourport Road/Beale's Corner, both in Bewdley, Worcs., are shut and Severnside flood defences are now in place in the town.

Meanwhile in Tenbury Wells, Worcs., 130 homes and almost every business on the High Street was affected by flood water.

In Hereford, the River Wye - which peaked at a record 6.10m (21ft) at 12pm on Monday (17/2) had dropped to 4.54m (15ft) by 10am today (Tue).

Elsewhere across the county, there was more misery for residents in Wolverley, Worcs., following a night of more heavy rain.

Wyre Forest District Council said that six homes, a pub and cafe were affected and the road is still flooded in the village centre.

The council have urged people to observe the road closure signs, follow diversions and refrain from moving signs and driving through the water.

In Shropshire, around 30 properties are reportedly being evacuated in Ironbridge due to pressure from the River Severn causing the road surface to crumble away.

The A38 in Staffordshire was closed in both directions between the B5016 for Barton-under-Needwood and the A5121 for Branston due to flooding.

The Environment Agency has warned the impact of Storm Dennis, along with further rain forecast this week, could affect people living along the River Severn until the end of the week.

Dave Throup, Environment Agency manager for Herefordshire and Worcestershire, said: "I've seen things I would not have believed.

"Large parts of my home town and village are underwater.

"This is not normal flooding, we are in uncharted territory."




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Thousands of residents in Herefordshire and Worcestershire are spending a fourth day cleaning up their homes and businesses after suffering the worst flooding in 200 years.

Credit: Newsflare STUDIO     Duration: 01:44Published