Shropshire faces more floods as clean-up starts

Ironbridge and Coalbrookdale were the worst hit areas in Telford after more than a month's worth of rain fell in less than 24 hours yesterday.

Dale Road in Ironbridge remains closed today as a major clean-up operation got under way.

At its peak yesterday the road was under 6ft of water that stretched for more than 200m.

The Wharfage was open to traffic today but council workers have coned off part of the road in case flood barriers need to be put up.

Coalbrookdale and Ironbridge Primary School remains closed.

The Battlefield Link Road in Shrewsbury also remains closed and underwater today after a stretch under the railway bridge was transformed into a lake in just a couple of hours causing massive tailbacks. Two vehicles were left submerged in the floodwater.

Forecasters are warning that more rain is on the way over the next 36 hours.

Met Office forecaster George Goodfellow, said: "We are expecting prolonged periods of rainfall rather than heavy bursts over the next 24-36 hours, with an average of 20-25mm (0.78-1ins) rainfall."

Kathryn Wood, from Telford & Wrekin Council, said: "The River Severn at Ironbridge is on yellow alert but the situation is being monitored.

"A decision on whether the primary school will reopen will be made later today. The fire brigade were called out to relieve the flood in Dale Road and the waters have generally gone down.

"We have coned off on-street parking on the Wharfage as a precautionary measure, but we won't be putting out flood defences tonight. "

Meanwhile staff at the AFC Telford United's ground, The Buck's Head, in Wellington, have drained 9,000 litres of water from the pitch in preparation for tonight's match.

Officials said the match would go ahead even if there was more rain this afternoon, and there would not be a pitch inspection before the match.

The region remains on a Met Office yellow warning, with several of the county's rivers on flood alert, including the Severn Vyrnwy Confluence, the Rea and Cound brooks and the River Teme – with water levels expected to reach their peak this afternoon and tomorrow.

The Rivers Tern, Perry, Roden, Strine and Meese and their tributaries were also on flood alert with water levels expected to reach their peak tomorrow. By midday today, the

Environment Agency had 73 flood warnings for rivers in place, and more than 150 less serious flood alerts.

In the market town of Morpeth, in Northumberland, dozens of people were evacuated from their homes after the River Wansbeck broke its banks.

About 90 residents were asked to leave 'as a precaution' as the floodwater rose, while in St Helens, Merseyside, about 10 people and a cat and dog had to be rescued in inflatable rafts after their homes flooded.

A Northumbria Police spokeswoman said: "Residents in an area of Morpeth are being evacuated as a precaution. We are working with the local authority to take them to an alternative location."

David Jordan, director of operations at the Environment Agency, said: "Our thoughts are with those whose homes have been flooded this week. Flooding has a devastating impact on property and possessions.

"Our teams have been out around the clock over the last few days to minimise the risks and prepare for flooding.

"We urge people to keep up to date with the weather forecast and remain prepared for flooding in their area, sign up to receive free flood warnings and stay away from dangerous flood water."

Read more on the floods clean-up in today's Shropshire Star

See also:

• Flash floods cause chaos for Shropshire - with pictures and minute-by-minute coverage

• South Shropshire hit by floods - Video