Shropshire on flood alert as rain and gales batter UK
Flood alerts have been issued for Shropshire as bad weather continues to batter the county and hit Christmas getaway plans.
The Environment Agency has issued alerts for the River Severn in Shropshire, the Severn-Vyrnwy confluence and the Tern and Perry catchments.
Further flood alerts were issued this afternoon for Rea Brook and Cound Brook and Upper Teme.
The Environment Agency warned some roads around the county are at risk of flooding as river levels rise.
It said that around the River Severn the Pentre to Melverley road near Royal Hill could be affected by flooding, along with Gravel Hill Lane, Sydney Avenue and Frankwell car park in Shrewsbury.
The river level is expected to peak on Christmas Day in Shrewsbury and Boxing Day at Buildwas.
Weather has been causing major disruption on the railways, with the Arriva Trains Wales website advising passengers not to travel on any of its routes.
Flooding between Welshpool and Newtown has closed a section of the Cambrian mainline on the railway network.
A spokesman for Arriva Trains Wales said trains were continuing to operate between Birmingham International and Shrewsbury and also between Newtown and Aberystwyth in both directions, with road replacement services being arranged.
A tree blocking the line at Cynghordy also closed the Heart of Wales line between Shrewsbury and Llanelli.
Because of the problems, ticket restrictions have been lifted, meaning tickets dated for use today can be used on any train today or tomorrow.
The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for rain for the county, with up to 30mm (1.1 inches) expected in the next 24 hours, along with gusts of wind of up to 40mph.
Dan Williams, a spokesman for the Met Office, said: "It is already pretty wet so you could see some localised flooding issues over the next 24 hours or so."
He said conditions are expected to ease on Christmas Eve, with Christmas Day being mainly dry with some showers around. But a further storm is due to hit the county later in the week.
Mr Williams said: "Late Thursday into Friday, there will be more wet and windy weather to come. It is always hard to say whether it will be as strong but it looks like another period of very unsettled weather."
Residents and shoppers also faced disruption today as stormy weather led to power problems in Telford.
Yesterday, firefighters were called to a property in Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, after it flooded as rain and hailstorms battered the town. Water went in through the roof of the home, affecting its electrics.
Information correct as of 2pm, Dec 23
Environment Agency Live Flood Warning map - updated every 15 minutes
