Flooded residents brace as river levels set to peak
- Published
River levels were high on Friday at Atcham Bridge, Shropshire
There is flooding across a swathe of the West Midlands as people brace for peak river levels at the weekend.
Water was lapping at the doorsteps of some Hereford residents on Friday, while towns and cities in neighbouring counties face a similar picture.
Roads also remained shut as Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire bore the brunt of the region's wet weather.
More, though, is forecast, and some peaks may yet prove short-lived.
The Environment Agency (EA) said it expected river levels to peak in Shrewsbury on Friday night, but more rain was expected to see them rise again.
Chris Bainger from the EA said the outcome would be hard to predict accurately until the agency knew how much rain would fall.
Some residents had to be rescued by boat in Hereford
Reporting for the BBC from Hereford, Ben Sidwell said water had reached properties on flooded Greyfriars Avenue.
Levels were dropping on the swollen River Wye there at about midday on Friday, but for some, "their worst fears materialised overnight, with flood defences failing and water coming in their homes".
"The street's own team of flood wardens have spent the early hours and morning checking on residents and moving any that need to from their homes," he added.
"There are fears, though, that the water levels could get even higher with more rain forecast."
BBC reporters capture rising river levels across the West Midlands
Mark Barrow from Shropshire Council said the floods were similar to those seen in February 2022 and he expected the disruption to continue into next week.
He advised people to use park and ride buses instead of driving into Shrewsbury and added: "We're doing what we can to keep particularly Shrewsbury town centre, but also other town centres, open but functioning as normal."
While the River Severn was predicted to peak later at between 4.4 and 4.8m at the Welsh Bridge, another overnight peak was expected as Sunday ran into Monday.
Mr Barrow said he expected the river to peak in Bridgnorth on Saturday evening.
High water levels have been affecting some roads in Shrewsbury town centre
Hereford and Worcester Fire Service said drivers were continuing to ignore advice not to drive into flood water.
Its crews were called to at least eight incidents where vehicles had to be rescued on Thursday.
Disruption also included some rail services between Shropshire and Wales being suspended for a while, with a bus service running between Welshpool and Shrewsbury, said Transport for Wales.
Also in Shropshire, some roads remained shut on Friday, with Frankwell and St Julian's car parks in Shrewsbury closed. Pitchcroft car park in Worcester was shut too, with drivers urged to avoid Croft Road, Newport Street and Cattlemarket.
Flood defences were installed at Coleham Head, Shrewsbury, with barriers at Frankwell and downstream at Ironbridge and Bewdley, Worcestershire, remaining in place.
The river was high in Ironbridge where a barrier was protecting the Wharfage area, said Mr Bainger, adding: "Come the weekend we'll get [the so-called] flood tourists."
He warned visitors to Ironbridge to be careful around the water.
Many cars have been rescued from flood water
A yellow weather warning has been issued in the West Midlands from 21:00 GMT on Friday.
Heavy rain and strong winds were likely to disrupt travel adding to the risk of flooding, said the Met Office.
