Shropshire returns to normal after floods misery
Thousands of people face another day of misery caused by the worst September storm for 30 years – as Shropshire slowly returned to normal.
Heavy downpours swelled rivers and flooded 400 homes and businesses across the country, while rail and road networks were swamped by high water levels. But in Shropshire temporary flood defences in Shrewsbury have come down.
River levels have subsided in the region and roads in Ironbridge have reopened.
The level at the Welsh Bridge Gauge in Shrewsbury was 2.55 metres and falling slowly, the Environment Agency said last night.
Across England the rain was expected to ease off today – but this morning there were still more than 50 flood warnings, mostly in the North East, and 80 less serious flood alerts.
Blog: Shrewsbury floods show residents should prepare for worst
Residents of a block of townhouses in Newburn, Newcastle, were among those facing a second night out of their homes after floodwater gouged out the ground beneath the building, which remains cordoned off amid safety concerns.
The River Ouse at York, which yesterday flooded riverside car parks, is still rising and is expected to reach five metres this morning, the Environment Agency said. The River Wharfe yesterday split the North Yorkshire town of Tadcaster in two, forcing firefighters to close the bridge.
Meanwhile, Shropshire fire chiefs have revealed they dealt with 80 incidents in just six hours on Monday.
Extra control room operators were drafted in to fire control in Shrewsbury, as teams were sent out to incidents including people trapped in cars and numerous animal rescues.
Russ Hales, duty incident commander for Shropshire Fire and Rescue, said: "Firefighters dealt with repeated incidents throughout the day and came across a number of people trapped in cars on their way to answer a call."
Officers were called out to motorists trapped in floodwater in two separate incidents at Ryton, Dorrington.
Firefighters also had put down sandbags at the home of an elderly resident in Cross Houses.
See also:
Shropshire floods ease but more rain forecast
Shropshire faces more floods as clean-up starts
Flash floods cause chaos for Shropshire
