Warning over Ironbridge Gorge floods
The Ironbridge Gorge was this afternoon bracing itself for fresh floods after the big thaw caused a rapid rise in river levels.
The River Severn through the Gorge was put on flood warning – meaning an imminent danger of flooding – while flood barriers were due to be put up at 9pm.
The Wharfage in Ironbridge was due to close at 8pm as Environment Agency and council officials moved in to put up the barriers.
Parking was banned along the Wharfage from 2pm in preparation for the work.
The flood warning – issued shortly after 2pm – also covers homes in Jackfield and Coalport.
Environment Agency spokesman Serena Balsdon said the river was expected to peak in Ironbridge and Bridgnorth tomorrow afternoon. The river depth at Buildwas Gauge this morning was 3.93m (12ft 10ins), and is expected to rise to between 4.9m (16ft) and 5.4m (17ft 8ins).
At Bridgnorth it was 3.05m (10ft) today and is expected to reach between 3.9m (12ft 9ins) and 4.3m (14ft 1ins).
Ms Balsdon confirmed that the 'second stage' flood barriers were being put up in Shrewsbury this afternoon. Frankwell car park was closed yesterday and remained shut today.
River levels at the Welsh Bridge were 2.58m (8ft 5in) at 9.30pm last night with a peak level of between 3.4-3.8m (11ft 1in-12ft 5in) expected later today.
More heavy rain is expected overnight and through tomorrow, with temperatures expected to rise to 12C. The rain is likely to ease off towards the end of the week, with Wednesday due to be dry and sunny and sunny spells breaking up the showers on Thursday and Friday.
Shropshire Fire & Rescue Service said crews had been called out to pump water from flooded homes in Market Drayton and Whitchurch, and helped a householder in Sandford, Whitchurch, to open a sluice gate from an overflowing pool to prevent the rising water affecting properties.
