Disruption across region as Storm Gerrit hits UK

The Met Office has issued several weather warnings

Storm Gerrit has caused disruption across the West Midlands as heavy rain and strong winds batter the region.

The storm has brought significant rainfall and winds of up to 70mph to the UK, with multiple weather warnings in place.

Flood barriers have been erected in Ironbridge, in Shropshire, and Bewdley, in Worcestershire, as concerns rise over the high levels of the River Severn.

A string of new weather warnings were issued on Wednesday evening, covering the River Vyrnwy at Melverley and Maesbrook, in north Shropshire.

Weather warnings

Flood warnings were also issued for the Wye from Hay-on-Wye, through Hereford, as far as Ross-on-Wye.

Of the 12 warnings covering England on Wednesday evening, six were for the West Midlands.

Speaking about Ironbridge, Chris Bainger, from the Environment Agency (EA), said the river was expected to peak at 4.8m to 5.3m (17ft) in the coming days.

He said the temporary defences there and in Bewdley were expected to stay up for the next few days.

In the case of both Bewdley and Ironbridge, he said the EA was taking a "precautionary" approach.

New Street in Upton upon Severn, in Worcestershire, reopened briefly on Wednesday, only to close again in the afternoon.

Further upstream, Frankwell car park in Shrewsbury was closed until further notice as well as several paths alongside the river.

Strong winds

The Met Office issued multiple yellow weather warnings across England in anticipation of Storm Gerrit's impact.

The latest, covering the west of the region on Wednesday evening and Thursday, highlight the dangers of strong winds

Chief meteorologist Frank Saunders said wind speeds could reach 70mph (113km/h) on exposed coastlines but 50-60mph (80km/h-97km/h) more widely.

The Met Office said there was a chance of power cuts and properties flooding as well as travel disruption.

There was also disruption on the trains between Shrewsbury and Wrexham on Tuesday after heavy rainfall flooded the rail lines.

Rail operators confirmed this had since been cleared.