Midlands streets flooded and trains delayed as floods hit
- Published
A flooded street in Moseley, Birmingham
Streets have been flooded and trains disrupted as heavy rain hit the West Midlands.
The Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms across most of England on Wednesday.
Forecaster Becky Mitchell said some parts of the region could expect 25mm of rain to fall in an hour.
In the East Midlands, shops, homes and streets were flooded as parts of the area were deluged in a short space of time.
It followed storms on Tuesday, which saw lightning strikes damage homes and cause buildings, including Walsall Manor Hospital, to flood.
The Met Office warned of potential flooding to homes and businesses as well as possible "lightning strikes, hail or strong winds".
It said persistent heavy rainfall across the Midlands could lead to "some localised disruption".
A couple were successfully rescued from their car by firefighters on the A34 near Solihull on Wednesday afternoon after entering a ditch in the heavy downpours.
The car went into a ditch near Solihull
West Midlands Police reported on Wednesday evening that Cole Hall Lane in Shard End had been closed due to flooding.
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About 23mm (almost an inch) of rain was recorded in parts of Herefordshire as the storms began in the early afternoon.
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The heavy rain also caused floods at Birmingham homelessness charity Sifa Fireside, prompting staff to put out an online appeal for towels, dehumidifiers and cleaning products.
The sudden storm has also meant the charity's drop-in service on Thursday has had to be cancelled.
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On Wednesday afternoon trains were disrupted between Birmingham New Street and Whitlocks End due to heavy rain flooding the railway line.
There were also reports of roads being flooded across the region.
Drivers were urged to avoid Warwick Road in Acocks Green, Birmingham, due to flooding, while BBC Weather Watchers reported flooding in the Moseley area of the city.
Staff at Walsall Manor Hospital clean up flood waters
The latest storms come after parts of England, including the West Midlands, had up to 50mm of rainfall over three hours on Tuesday evening.
West Midlands Fire Service said it received 200 weather-related calls, while Walsall Manor Hospital suffered "severe flooding".
Meanwhile residents in Edison Walk, Beechdale, had to be rescued after their streets were submerged under four feet (1.2m) of water.
- Published17 June 2020
