West Midlands Faces Continued Flood Threat as Additional Rainfall Anticipated

Multiple flood warnings persist across the West Midlands region as communities continue to manage the repercussions of inundation caused by Storm Bert. These alerts encompass sections of the rivers Avon, Severn, and Teme in Shropshire and Worcestershire, along with the Wye in Herefordshire. Water levels also remain elevated in certain areas of the Avon in Warwickshire. The Met Office has forecasted further periods of rain overnight, while the Environment Agency has issued cautions that rivers could rapidly create issues on already saturated ground. A number of roads in Worcestershire are closed or impassable due to either flooding or storm-related damage, including Teme Street in Tenbury Wells. A wall collapse in the town on Sunday led to the flooding of businesses and residences. Environment Agency Area Incident Manager Nick Green characterized the situation in Tenbury Wells as “difficult.” He stated, “Most of the businesses got flooded as a result of the overflow from Kyre Brook,” adding, “It’s going to be a very difficult one for them to recover from.” Mr. Green also noted, “The community’s really pulling together and they’ll be able to make big strides over the next few days.” Elsewhere in the county, the A4103 in Rushwick was also rendered impassable between Bransford Road and Station Road. Further road closures have been reported in Upton upon Severn, Linridge, Cropthorne, and Birlingham. Ben Sparrow, from Worcestershire County Council’s highways department, described a “generally improving picture” in the region. He explained, “The level on the Teme has dropped quite considerably overnight, so we’re in a position now where we’re going to start reopening some of the roads that have been affected and closed in the Teme valley.” He further commented, “It’s all the water moving down the Avon and the Severn that’s just moving its way out of the county. As it closes some roads, it’s opening others up at the top.” Ed Bradford, head of highways for Herefordshire, indicated that the local situation was dynamic as different river catchments responded to the flow. He affirmed, “We will be checking roads throughout the day and reopening where we can.” In Warwickshire, the Welsh Road at Offchurch is impassable in both directions due to standing water between Long Itchington Road and School Hill. Additionally, in Leamington Spa, a fallen tree in the Blackdown area has obstructed the A452 Kenilworth Road. The Environment Agency confirmed that temporary barriers on the River Severn at Bewdley, Worcestershire, and Ironbridge, Shropshire, would remain in place until water levels recede. Mr. Green also stated that flood alerts and warnings are expected to persist for the remainder of the week.