Winds wreak havoc across Shropshire as storm blows in
A roof flew from a shed, bricks fell onto cars and trees were felled as strong winds continued to affect Shropshire and Mid Wales.
The region was clearing up today as the weekend offers a brief respite from the storms.
A number of flood alerts remained in place and there were warnings that more bad weather is expected on Monday following mainly dry days today and tomorrow.
The roof was ripped from the roof of a shed in Telford and almost blew onto the M54.
Alan Rutter, 72, was desperately trying to save his belongings from the rain after high-speed winds blew the roof into neighbouring fields.
The pensioner, who lives in Cluddley near Wellington, Telford, with his wife Yvonne, said: "It's remarkable that this shed has had the roof taken off because part of it its made with steel girders.
"It's lifted it in two, one part of the roof is in one field and the other is in the next field caught on a tree.
"If it hadn't hit the tree, I think it would have blown onto the M54."
Mr Rutter said the damage to his shed happened in the early hours of yesterday.
"I was up at about 2am making a drink and I thought that wind has got to be at least 90 miles per hour," he said.
"We have had bad winds before, but that shed has been there for 30 years and this has never happened."
Mr Rutter has been told to contact Highways Agency to ensure the roof does not cause a threat to drivers on the M54.
Another victim of Boxing Day's high-speed winds was Paul Holland, from Madeley, whose car was damaged by falling bricks.
Winds knocked over a wall in the car park of Madeley Cricket Club onto Mr Holland's car, causing major damage.
Mr Holland, 41, said: "I imagine it is a write-off looking at the state of it.
"It must have just been the wind, there must have been one freak gust that sent the wall down. It was about 10pm.
"It's just one of those things."
A number of trees fell onto roads throughout the county, including the A41 at Sandford Bends, in Prees, near Whitchurch.
In Shrewsbury, flood defences remained up at Frankwell and, though water levels remained high in Ironbridge, the Environment Agency has said that there was no intention to put up flood defences along the Wharfage.
Residents of the village of Melverley, near Oswestry, which has been prone to flooding in recent years, say they will be keeping a close eye on the weather conditions over the next few days.
No flood alert has yet been given for the River Vyrnwy as its passes through Melverley but farmer Bryan Edwards said precautions were already being taken.
He said: "Things are quite reasonable here at the moment but it can change over the next few days. They have given a bit of rain for Monday so we will need to keep an eye. Farmers around here have taken in the cattle because the fields are so heavy and wet at the moment."
Residents living near where the rivers Vyrnwy and Severn meet have also been advised to remain alert.
The warning has been given to people in Llanymynech, Maesbrook, Cae Howel and Crew Green after levels at the rivers' confluence rose. The Environment Agency said the river gauge at Llanymynech measured 3.06 metres last night and was rising.
Levels remained steady at the gauges at Maesbrook Gauge, Cae Howel and Crew Green. Residents were warned the Cae Howel to Edgerley road and the Ponthen to Cae Howel road could be flooded.
People living in the Lower Dee flood plain near the Shropshire/Welsh border were encouraged by the Environment Agency to remain vigilant.
Nationally, more showers are likely to delay further the clean-up operation. Forecasters said the mild wet and blustery weather will be a respite compared to the two major storms endured over Christmas.
