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Heavy rain undermines rail track and causes disruption Hereford homes evacuated as River Wye floods
(about 2 hours later)
Roads and rail routes remain blocked as the effects of heavy rain continue to cause problems across the Midlands. People have been rescued from their homes by boat after parts of Hereford were flooded on Sunday.
In Herefordshire, part of the railway was washed away at Pontrilas, halting services to Abergavenny. At least 20 homes have been affected in the Greyfriars area, but Hereford and Worcester Fire Service said that was likely to increase.
Network Rail said engineers would assess the track on Sunday and it was unclear how long it would take to fix. There have also been reports of homes flooding in the Holme Lacey Road area.
Rail lines out of Shrewsbury to Welshpool, Wrexham and Crewe were out of action on Sunday morning. The Environment Agency said in Greyfriars, "the only way in or out" was by boat and a number of people were cut off.
Dozens of roads in Shropshire, Herefordshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire have been closed due to floods, including many rural routes. Firefighters have also rescued a number of residents at the Manor Rest Home in the Lower Bullingham area.
The River Wye in Hereford is at its highest since October 1998, with five flood warnings in place.
Flood barriers installed about 10 years ago are protecting some 160 properties in Hereford and the Environment Agency said without them, water would be "chest-deep".
Homes in the nearby village of Hampton Bishop have also been flooded, along with properties in Hagley, in Worcestershire and Clun in Shropshire.
Several rail routes out of Shrewsbury were blocked on Sunday morning, but have since reopened.
The line between Hereford and Newport remains shut, however, after flash floods washed away part of the track at Pontrilas.
Network Rail said engineers were assessing the track, but it was unclear how long it would take to fix.
Dozens of roads in Shropshire, Herefordshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire have been closed due to floods, including key routes in towns and cities.
Hereford and Worcester Fire Service said people were rescued from more than 40 vehicles stranded in floodwater on Saturday.Hereford and Worcester Fire Service said people were rescued from more than 40 vehicles stranded in floodwater on Saturday.
On Sunday, drivers have also been rescued on Holme Lacey Road in Hereford and at Fladbury near Pershore, among other locations.On Sunday, drivers have also been rescued on Holme Lacey Road in Hereford and at Fladbury near Pershore, among other locations.
A number of properties in the region have been flooded, including homes on Chestnut Drive, Hagley.
William Chambers, landlord of the Bridge Inn at Kentchurch, Herefordshire, said floodwater in the kitchen was "knee high".William Chambers, landlord of the Bridge Inn at Kentchurch, Herefordshire, said floodwater in the kitchen was "knee high".
He said staff were pumping water out of the pub and trying to save as much food as possible.He said staff were pumping water out of the pub and trying to save as much food as possible.
There were 51 flood warnings in force across Warwickshire, Staffordshire, Shropshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire, on Sunday morning. There were 51 flood warnings in force across Warwickshire, Staffordshire, Shropshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire, on Sunday morning, although that number has since dropped.
At Pershore College near Worcester 50mm of rain fell over a 30-hour period.At Pershore College near Worcester 50mm of rain fell over a 30-hour period.
Flood defences are in place in Bewdley, Hereford, Upton-upon-Severn and Shrewsbury, with temporary barriers being put up in Ironbridge.Flood defences are in place in Bewdley, Hereford, Upton-upon-Severn and Shrewsbury, with temporary barriers being put up in Ironbridge.
Dave Throup, from the Environment Agency, said without the barriers in Hereford, water from the River Wye would be "chest-deep and into lots of homes". Dave Throup, from the Environment Agency, said levels on the River Teme were at their highest "since the huge flood of summer 2007".
He said levels on the River Teme were at their highest "since the huge flood of summer 2007".
In South Staffordshire, the depth of floodwater reached almost 4ft at a ford in Trescott and Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Services said it had attended a number of calls to people trapped near a garage in Sandon Road, Stafford.In South Staffordshire, the depth of floodwater reached almost 4ft at a ford in Trescott and Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Services said it had attended a number of calls to people trapped near a garage in Sandon Road, Stafford.
No further rain is forecast for the West Midlands over the next few days and Mr Throup said river levels were expected to fall quickly once they had peaked on Sunday.No further rain is forecast for the West Midlands over the next few days and Mr Throup said river levels were expected to fall quickly once they had peaked on Sunday.
Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, on Twitter, and sign up for local news updates direct to your phone.Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, on Twitter, and sign up for local news updates direct to your phone.