Floods close Shropshire roads after heavy rain

The A49 was closed between Church Stretton and Craven Arms after it became submerged by a foot of water.

It comes after police and fire crews were called out near Craven Arms overnight after a car got stuck in flood water and had to be dragged to safety. A minor road at Rindleford, near Bridgnorth, was also closed.

Bromley Lane, between Bridgnorth and Norton, has been closed due to a small landslide. Meanwhile, in flood-hit North Wales, the body of an elderly woman has been pulled from a flooded home in St Asaph

Trains were running at a reduced speed between Shrewsbury and Ludlow due to flooding on the tracks.

The Environment Agency has issued 204 flood warnings and 277 flood alerts across the country.

Up to 14.6mm (0.6 inches) of rain fell in Shropshire overnight. The Severn remains on flood alert, with water levels at Crew Green set to peak between 5.8 and 5.9 metres this morning.

Water levels in Buildwas and Bridgnorth were set to peak this evening.

But flood warnings are no longer in force on the Severn in Shrewsbury, with water levels at the Welsh Bridge due to peak between 2.7 and 2.8 metres this afternoon.

The short stay section of Frankwell Car Park was closed today and waters reached reached part of the Riverside Meadow housing development. Alerts were also in place along the Rivers Tern, Perry, Roden, Strine and Meese and their tributaries with peak levels expected this morning.

The River Teme and its tributaries downstream of Ludlow are on flood alert.

Residents and businesses in Bridgnorth are now bracing themselves for flooding after the River Severn burst its banks earlier today.

Jane Barlett, who co-owns the Boatyard, in Low Town, with her partner, Nigel Grainger, said they were praying the water would subside soon.

She said: "We've put the sandbags up and we're just hoping now. Everything that can be put on tables has been, which includes the carpets.

"We when took over and refurbished we knew it flooded so we had carpets specially designed so we can roll them up and move them. We've been told if the flood defences go up in Shrewsbury we're done for.

"Last winter we were okay so this is the first time we've experienced it, although we did get some flooding over the summer. We can't get any flood insurance either so we'll just have to wait and see what happens."

Tom McGill, secretary of Bylet Bowling Club in Bridgnorth's Low Town, said the river still had to rise a considerable amount before it affected the greens or the clubhouse.

He said: "We could get cut off from the island for a few days but at the moment we're fine. We've got a committee tonight so we'll know more then.

"The club spent £20,000 on the clubhouse raising it on stilts so I'd be surprised if it was affected but you never know.

"The lower greens could possibly be flooded but it wouldn't be too bad at this time of year."

Shropshire Council has kept two footpaths closed in Bridgnorth along the River Severn, from Doctor's Lane to Severn Park, and Severn Side South.

Have you been affected by flooding? Send your pictures and videos to newsroom@shropshirestar.co.uk or tweet @ShropshireStar

See also - More wind and rain, then frost on way

By Catherine Ferris