Roads closed as floodwaters rise

Villagers on the Shropshire border today described the devastation after being hit by what has been dubbed the worst flooding in more than 40 years.

Environment Agency officials say the floods are the worst on record since 1969. And worse could be to follow, with the agency claiming water levels on some parts of the River Severn would not peak until tonight.

Seven people were rescued from their homes in Llandysilio, near Four Crosses, by firefighters at about 4am yesterday after the rising water flooded their homes, with some towed to safety in a boat.

Dave Jones and Helena Sleigh only moved to Llandysilio six months ago.

Their drive was washed away by the floods but the family chose to stay in their home with their seven-year-old son Owain.

Mr Jones said his mother Linda had only moved in with the family on Saturday hours before the flood water rose, and said they had lost thousand of pounds of tools in the garage.

Julie Lee, who runs Tycoch Guest House in the village with her husband Bill, said the couple had avoided the worst of the floods as Mr Lee had built an embankment to protect their bungalow in 2004.

She said: "Our daughter lives in Llansantffraid and tried to get to us but couldn't get to us because of the water levels. We chose to stay in our home as we knew the water couldn't get to us but it was like being marooned from midnight on Saturday until 3pm on Sunday."

Motorists trying to brave the floods were left counting the cost, with several vehicles almost completely submerged.

Environment Agency officials had issued flood warnings for the Vyrnwy and Upper Severn confluence area for Saturday evening. Warnings have also been issued on the River Severn between Llandrinio and the showground in Shrewsbury, while flood barriers have been set up at Frankwell car park in Shrewsbury.

Dave Throop, spokesman for the Environment Agency, said: "We had more than four inches of rain in the catchment which is very unusual. Levels at Llanymynech were close to record levels."

The agency said River Severn levels in Shrewsbury were not expected to peak until this evening.

By Peter Kitchen and Russell Roberts