County flash flood fears
Rain-lashed Shropshire has been warned to expect more problems over the weekend, with heavy rain today raising fears of flash flooding in some parts of the county.
Flood alerts still remain in place on the River Severn across Shropshire and on the Lower and Upper Teme near Ludlow, Tenbury Wells and Burford. Warnings have been lifted in some areas.
They are no longer in place on the Severn at Frankwell in Shrewsbury, Ironbridge and Jackfield.
But Environment Agency chiefs warned heavy rain this morning could still bring localised flooding to areas of Shropshire.
A spokesman said: "While there will be little significant rainfall for much of today, many larger rivers such as the Severn will continue to rise. This may bring further localised flooding of land and roads and perhaps localised surface water issues. The barriers at Ironbridge are not up currently.
"Rain overnight was not quite as bad as predicted, but with further rain expected during the day, we will be determining if barriers are needed as the day goes on."
Environment Agency area manager David Throup said bungs were being fitted to drains in Ironbridge as a precaution.
But Shropshire is far from the worst hit area, as police evacuated people from their homes in a Cornwall town.
Residents were led to safety in Helston after the River Cober rose rapidly following heavy rainfall.
David Owens, Cornwall Council's duty director, said police had asked 190 people in Helston to leave their homes after the River Cober burst its banks and flooded some properties.
Motorists are being warned not to use flooded roads, with an AA spokesman saying the service attended more than 400 breakdowns over the last couple of days. And nationwide rail and road users were facing chaos during the getaway, with routes across the south west of England affected by flooding.
