River levels and flood warnings reduce across the West Midlands
Levels remain high in Worcester but start to fall in Shrewsbury
The Environment Agency says it could take days for flood-waters to fully recede
Youngsters are warned after they climb a bridge over flood-water
Homeowner spends £60,000 on flood defences
Couple 'fed up' with repeatedly flooded home
Flooding continues to impact Wolston, Warwickshire.
Earlier we reported residents describing it as a cut-off village with no way in or out, and a sense of "panic" setting in for some.
Resident Nikki Frances offered this update by way of Facebook: "Wolston has become a floating village.
"The floods are unlike anything we've seen here before."
Image source, BBC Weather Watcher/MelanieFlooding in Wolston, Warwickshire
We told you we'd be back with more news from Staffordshire, and here it is...
Doxey Road Car Park in Stafford has been closed as the River Sow continues to rise following the heavy rainfall.
Sainsbury's nearby, however, is open as normal.
Doxey Road Car Park
A new flood warning has been issued for the River Sow in the St Thomas area.
The Environment Agency said flooding of properties there was possible from 19:00 GMT, with river levels expected to remain high into Wednesday afternoon.
Residents have been urged to activate any flood protection products or barriers they may have.
Victoria Park, Stafford, has not escaped the region's poor weather
The Sow is being monitored at Victoria Park
David Gregory-Kumar
Science correspondent, BBC Midlands Today
As we start 2024, the Met Office has just published its usual weather round-up for last December and 2023 as a whole. Overall, the country had 11% more rain than average, and England had its sixth wettest year on record.
Most of the Midlands saw above-average rainfall and some places saw a third more than normal. As climate change continues, we see a warmer atmosphere that can hold more water and as expected we are seeing wetter winters, more storms and much more intense heavy rainfall.
In the Midlands, December continued this trend, with above-average rainfall although things were even wetter in Scotland and the east Midlands. But what this means is the land is sodden and can't soak up all this rain, never mind cope with the latest bout of rainy weather.
Given these conditions it is amazing we're not seeing more flooding than we are but for anyone near water these will be a nervous few days.
Meanwhile, spare a thought for farmers whose ground is now so wet they must make difficult decisions about bringing in livestock and watch to see what crops survive.
The only good news is we seem to be heading for a dry spell by the end of the week which might start to let things recover.
Warwickshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire have been dominating our posts this afternoon, and perhaps that's no surprise, given the same counties were similarly troubled with stormy weather in the run-up to Christmas, and all eyes on the Avon and Severn.
But the wider region has not escaped, with multiple warnings in place across the patch and more rain forecast.
Here was the soggy scene earlier in Herefordshire's Sutton St Nicholas...
Staffordshire has also not escaped, with rail lines in the county affected and an Aldi car park flooded - details on both below. More from that county shortly...
Let's stay in Warwickshire for a moment, where the Royal Shakespeare Company has cancelled two shows amid fears of flooding in Stratford-upon-Avon.
A statement on the company's website said: "Due to rising water levels of the River Avon, and a high risk of flooding in and around Stratford-upon-Avon, we have had to cancel [Tuesday evening's] performances of The Box of Delights and The Fair Maid of the West."
Image source, Lucy BilliardFlooding around the bandstand near the Royal Shakespeare Company
The statement added: "We always try to go ahead with a performance as long as it is safe to do so, and cancelling performances is a last resort.
"We will contact all ticket bookers to discuss their options and we ask that you don't contact us directly. Thank you for your patience and support, and we apologise for any inconvenience caused."
In the last hour, we told you about Wolston in Warwickshire, where residents reported there being "no way in our out".
Here's an update from the village...
Laura Smiton of the Rose and Crown pub in Wolston said flood water was still rising there.
Image source, BBC Weather Watcher/Melanie"I don't think we've got access in and out of the village now because whichever route it was, it is now quite badly flooded," she explained.
Some people in the area were starting to get "panicked about how things are going to be through the night", she added.
A moment ago we mentioned two areas blighted by rising river levels in recent years - Bewdley and Ironbridge, sharing images from the latter.
Let's turn our attention now to the former, where Beales Corner - an at-risk location in the Worcestershire town - has been closed to traffic.
The county council has urged vehicles to use the Bewdley Bypass, in a post on X, external, formerly Twitter.
Image source, Worcestershire County CouncilPedestrians and cyclists can still access Beales Corner via Pewterer's Alley.
In recent years in the West Midlands, the areas that seem to draw most concern about acute flooding are Bewdley in Worcestershire and Ironbridge in Shropshire.
Just two days into 2024, and we are on watch for both again.
Images from Ironbridge show the by-now familiar sight of a swollen Severn.
Ironbridge is on alert
A flood warning is in place at Ironbridge and, elsewhere in the county, Jackfield including Coalport.
Flooding in Jackfield was expected to affect properties on Ferry Road, the Environment Agency said.
The scene in Jackfield
An Aldi car park at the Kingsmead Retail Park in Stafford has flooded.
It is just one example of many on Tuesday afternoon of how everyday life is being disrupted by the weather.
Emergency services have advised motorists to avoid submerged roads.
The visitors centre at Brandon Marsh nature reserve in Warwickshire has been closed due to Brandon Lane becoming impassable, Warwickshire Wildlife Trust has said.
Warwickshire Country Parks added Kingsbury Water Park had also been affected by severe flooding, and had cancelled its winter warmer walk set for Wednesday.
Image source, Warwickshire Country ParksThese were the scenes in Worcester after heavy rainfall caused flooding across the city.
Image source, Jacob King/PA
Image source, Jacob King/PA
Image source, Jacob King/PA
Image source, Jacob King/PAThe wider county remains on alert as the Severn rises, with flood defences going up in Bewdley.
There are also a number of road closures.
Storm Henk hits Hylton Road in Worcester where some car parks have closed
Flooded Hylton Road in Worcester is among the disrupted locations.
Additionally, car parks at Pitchcroft, Newport Street, Cattlemarket and Croft Road in the city have been closed.
Images show the village of Wolston in Warwickshire has been badly affected by flooding.
Nikki sent in these images, saying there was no way in or out of the village even for 4x4s.
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Birmingham, the Black Country and Coventry also affected
Avanti West Coast reports flooding has blocked the rail line between Crewe and Stafford.
Services between Birmingham International and Coventry were also being diverted due to "multiple incidents of flooding", the operator said.
Avanti West Coast services are currently unable to call at Wolverhampton, Sandwell and Dudley, Birmingham New Street, Birmingham International and Coventry.
People have been urged to make checks before they travel amid cancellations and delays
A flood warning has been issued for the River Weaver in the Nantwich area.
The Environment Agency (EA) said the river levels were forecast to rise overnight at Shrewbridge Lodge as a result of the heavy rainfall.
The river is expected to peak at 08:00 GMT on Wednesday.
The EA urged people to avoid using low-lying footpaths and any bridges near the river.
Trains are unable to run between Derby and Stoke-on-Trent after the lines flooded.
East Midlands Railway said the disruption was expected to last until the end of the day.
Rail replacement bus services are running between both stations.
Worcestershire County Council has warned drivers that several roads have been closed as a result of flooding.
The affected routes are:
Image source, Worcestershire County Council
Image source, Worcestershire County CouncilFirefighters have rescued two people from a car stuck in flood water.
Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said the operation took place on Linley Lane in Church Lawton at about 14:30 GMT.
A flood warning is in place for the River Severn at the Showground and at The Quarry in Shrewsbury, Shropshire.
Some toilet facilities at the Quarry were closed until further notice due to flooding, Shrewsbury Town Council said.
The railway between Coventry and Birmingham International has been hit by flooding.
Trains running between the stations could be delayed by up to 30 minutes or diverted, operators have said.
Disruption is expected until 16:45 GMT.
This is the scene of the A529 outside the village of Audlem, south Cheshire, which has been "completely flooded", according to residents.
Image source, Jon ClarkeThe A529 near Audlem, Cheshire, has been flooded