Major incidents have been declared as water levels continue to rise.

Following severe warnings being issued for Ironbridge in Shropshire and Bewdley in Worcestershire, it said, West Mercia Police declared a major incident to get agencies to work together.

“We are working closely as partner agencies to ensure all necessary steps are being taken to protect members of the public and their property from harm and damage and as a result a number of properties have been evacuated at Beale’s Corner, in Bewdley and along the Wharfage in Ironbridge," West Mercia Assistant Chief Constable Damian Barratt said.

“We know that for many people who live in the affected areas that they are equipped for flooding, however, public safety is our absolute priority and we would urge anyone who has been advised to evacuate to heed the advice of the emergency services."

A selection of pictures sent in by our reporters show the current water levels in Shrewsbury.

Here's the situation as things stand:

• Severe flood warnings, which mean a danger to life, remain in place for Ironbridge in Shropshire and Bewdley in Worcestershire.
• Water levels are expected to peak in Ironbridge later today, with Bewdley not expected to peak until Wednesday.
• The Environment Agency says water could go over the barriers in both towns.
• Water has peaked at the Welsh Bridge in Shrewsbury.
• Some flood warnings have been removed for parts of Herefordshire.

Staff are "still smiling" amid working in "miserable" conditions to keep communities safe from flooding, the Environment Agency said.

Clare Dinnis, from the agency, said preparation for the floods began a week ago.

"It’s been wet, cold and miserable and putting these flood defences up is not an easy job," she said.

"But that they’re still doing it with a smile is awesome"

Image source, @BarryKillnerEA

Although river levels are yet to peak in Ironbridge, levels remain below the predicted amount, according to Shaun Davies.

Speaking to BBC Radio Shropshire the Telford & Wrekin Council leader said: "At the moment the water is just below where the Environment Agency thought it would be at this time which is good news clearly, however the river still has not peaked and there are still some stressful hours ahead."

Image source, PA Media

A Bewdley resident said she will not be leaving her home.

Irene Buxton, who lives on Beales Corner, said she has her own flood barriers in front of her house, which make some difference.

"This year no matter how bad it gets, I've got a big pair of wellies and some waders, I'm not leaving, I'm staying," she said.

"[The barriers] do stop it coming in, we do get a little trickle when it goes over the top...but apart from that we are just sweeping it down the cellar and pumping it out."

A severe flood warning is in force for the River Severn as the temporary barriers "cannot be expected to perform," said the Environment Agency. Residents are being evacuated.

Water is not expected to peak in Bewdley until Wednesday.

BBC Radio Hereford and Worcester

Some of the flood warnings on the River Teme at Leintwardine and Walford and at Leigh, Knightwick and Broadwas, have been lifted.

The River Wye peaked in Hereford overnight and the Old Bridge has reopened this morning.

Flooding is expected in and around Ross on Wye as the Wye reaches a peak there today.

The Environment Agency is warning areas around Wilton may flood, as the water has already reached 4.64 metres.

The Wharfage in Ironbridge has closed to pedestrians.

River levels have now reached 6.2m, the Environment Agency said, which means it is no longer safe to go behind the flood barriers.

Image source, PA Media

Anyone who it has contacted to evacuate, but has not yet done so, should get in contact today with the agency and it can arrange transport and accommodation.

Residents across the Gorge who are at risk of flooding will be contacted to ensure they are safe and well and provide help where it is able.

Image source, bbbc

It's the fourth time in three years Rae Evans has been evacuated from her home.

Ms Evans lives on The Wharfage in Ironbridge.

Image source, Telford & Wrekin Council

A serious flood warning with a major incident declared is in place for the Wharfage with concerns water levels may overtop the flood barriers.

"When I bought the house it said it might flood once in 70 years, so that is quite different," she said.

"I would say I bought the house because the barriers are there, I wouldn't have bought it otherwise."

Ms Evans is ward councillor for Woodside on Telford & Wrekin Council.

Homes have also been evacuated on the other side of the river in Jackfield.

Debbie Stokes, who has had to leave her home a number of times, said: "I've had to climb through people's front gardens with all my bags.

"We are going to have to look at something to help us get out in the future because it is now, times like this, that you realise how dangerous it can be."

BBC Radio Shropshire

Drivers are being urged not to ignore road closed signs.

Five people were rescued from their vehicles in Llanymynech and Kinnerley yesterday, while one person was stranded on Smithfield Road in Shrewsbury last night.

Image source, Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service

Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service's Chief Fire Officer Rod Hammerton said people need to be sensible.

"If you can see there is water in the road, be really extra careful, be safe," he said.

If necessary stop, have a look at it, don't just go ploughing through with good faith because we are finding that catches people out.

"We will be there to do the rescues but I'd much rather not have to undertake them at all."

As if things weren't bad enough with the floods, parts of Birmingham and the Black Country have been hit by an earthquake.

The 2.8 magnitude quake hit Walsall at 22:59 GMT, and could be felt across Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Dudley.

If you felt anything, please feel free to get in contact with us on Facebook, external, Twitter, external, Instagram, external or email us on newsonline.westmidlands@bbc.co.uk.

Image source, Getty Images

River levels at the Welsh Bridge in Shrewsbury are starting to peak.

They are about 10cm lower than the record set in 2000.

Levels at Ironbridge, where the threat to life has been issued, is expected to peak later this afternoon, and Bewdley in Worcestershire, where there is another severe flood warning, is expected to peak on Wednesday.

A family are living in an upstairs room as their homes has flooded for the 17th time.

Siobhan Connor, who lives near the Quarry, Shrewsbury, said it is the fourth time she has been flooded in two years.

The Quarry is a park right next to the River Severn.

Image source, Siobhan Connor

She and her family are unable to leave their house so they are staying in an upstairs room.

After the floods of 2020 and 2021, Ms Connor said, she invested in flood boards which slowed the water coming in and is using pumps to try and keep the water at a certain level.

“It is the same thing, same again, I don’t feel like I’ve recovered from the last three floods really," she said.

“We’ve been preparing for this, anxiously watching the levels.”

Image source, Siobhan Connor

Fourteen people and four dogs from the Melverley area have been rescued.

The town, in north Shropshire, is close to the banks of the River Vyrnwy.

On Monday, Andrew Blair, the landlord of the Royal Hill pub between Melverley and Pentre, said: "Current river levels are at almost a record high now and water is above the hedges, and everyone's houses are filling up."

He said it was the third year the town has been affected.

Rob Davies, hydrometry and telemetry officer shared the below video of how he was measuring water levels in the area.

If you're affected by the flooding we'd like to hear from you.

Send us pictures or tell us about the situation where you are.

You can get in contact with us on Facebook, external, Twitter, external and Instagram, external or email us at newsonline.westmidlands@bbc.co.uk.

BBC Radio Shropshire reporter Johnty O'Donnell has sent us in this picture of the West Midlands Showground in Shrewsbury this morning, as taken from The Mount.

Here's the current picture:

• Properties in Ironbridge and Bewdley have been evacuated after severe flood warnings were issued.
• Severe warnings mean there is a danger to life.
• Water levels are forecast to remain high for a prolonged period of time due to further rainfall this week, the EA says.
• Fourteen people and four dogs have been rescued from the Melverley area, Shropshire Council says.
• There are 23 flood warnings across Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
• Many roads into Shrewsbury are shut due to rising waters.

Image source, PA Media

Sophie Madden
BBC News

Good morning.

As two severe flood warnings are issued for the River Severn and a major incident declared we'll be sharing updates containing the latest information from across the West Midlands.