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River Avon flooding: Schools, roads and hospital shut River Avon flooding: Schools, roads and hospital shut
(about 3 hours later)
Dozens of schools shut and a hospital has closed its doors as river levels continue to rise in part of the West Midlands. Dozens of schools and a hospital have closed as river levels continue to rise in part of the West Midlands.
Evesham Community Hospital closed to new patients and shut its minor injuries unit as floodwater rose on surrounding roads on Friday afternoon.Evesham Community Hospital closed to new patients and shut its minor injuries unit as floodwater rose on surrounding roads on Friday afternoon.
The River Avon in Evesham reached its highest level since 2007, flooding homes and businesses.The River Avon in Evesham reached its highest level since 2007, flooding homes and businesses.
Rail services have mostly returned to normal after disruption on Thursday.Rail services have mostly returned to normal after disruption on Thursday.
Services are not running between Shrewsbury and Welshpool and between Moreton-in-Marsh and Worcester Shrub Hill due to flooding. Services have been suspended between Shrewsbury and Welshpool, and Moreton-in-Marsh and Worcester Shrub Hill, due to flooding.
The hospital said it was closing due to flooding on the roads and an anticipated rise in river levels. Waterside Day Centre and Dental Access Centre are also shut. The hospital said it was closing due to flooding on the roads and an anticipated rise in river levels. Family and friends have been asked not to visit.
Family and friends have been asked not to try and visit. Waterside Day Centre and Dental Access Centre are also shut.
Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service said it had rescued about 100 people in a 24-hour period, many from cars stranded in floodwater.Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service said it had rescued about 100 people in a 24-hour period, many from cars stranded in floodwater.
Trevor Reek, who is in his 70s, had to be rescued from his Evesham home by firefighters.Trevor Reek, who is in his 70s, had to be rescued from his Evesham home by firefighters.
"I couldn't get out on my own, I tried that earlier on and it is too deep for me to wade through, even with my waders on," he said."I couldn't get out on my own, I tried that earlier on and it is too deep for me to wade through, even with my waders on," he said.
He said he packed some belongings and called for help.He said he packed some belongings and called for help.
In Croxton, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service were called to rescue a child and an adult from a vehicle stuck in floodwater at 08:56 GMT. The River Severn in Worcester is yet to reach its peak which is expected to happen on Saturday, the Environment Agency said.
Schools in Pershore, Evesham, Malvern and Upton in Worcestershire were all closed due to flooding. The county council said traffic management measures would be introduced in New Road in the city in case of further flooding over the weekend.
In Croxton, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service was called to rescue a child and an adult from a vehicle stuck in floodwater at 08:56 GMT.
Schools in Pershore, Evesham, Malvern and Upton in Worcestershire also closed because of flooding.
The River Avon is expected to peak at Evesham later, while the River Teme in Tenbury Wells peaked shortly after midnight.The River Avon is expected to peak at Evesham later, while the River Teme in Tenbury Wells peaked shortly after midnight.
Angie Crump, who runs Smart Exchange in Pershore, said water was covering Pershore Bridge as she drove in from her home in Evesham. Angie Crump, who runs a shop in Pershore, said water was covering Pershore Bridge as she drove in from her home in Evesham.
She said she was the worst she had seen the area for a "long time".
"When I left the shop at 17:00 last night, I would say the water was about a metre under the arches, today it is right over the top," she said."When I left the shop at 17:00 last night, I would say the water was about a metre under the arches, today it is right over the top," she said.
The bridge has since been closed to traffic.The bridge has since been closed to traffic.
The Environment Agency is predicting the River Avon in Stratford-upon Avon, Warwickshire is to peak at 19:00, predicting levels of 1.9m (6ft), nearly 1m (3ft) above normal river levels. The Environment Agency has predicted the River Avon in Stratford-upon Avon, Warwickshire will peak at 19:00, with levels of 1.9m (6ft) - almost 1m (3ft) above normal levels.
Flood barriers were put up in the town on Friday morning - the first time they have been used since they were brought in 2017. Flood barriers have been put up in the town for the first time since they were introduced in 2017.
Karen Smith, who was walking her dog at the Stratford Recreation Ground, said: "The water has broken the banks and it has come much farther across the fields than I have seen it in years." Karen Smith, who was walking her dog at the Stratford Recreation Ground, said: "The water has broken the banks and it has come much further across the fields than I have seen it in years."
Three schools in the county were closed due to the weather, with roads also affected.Three schools in the county were closed due to the weather, with roads also affected.
The Environment Agency said areas around the River Avon in Worcestershire and Warwickshire were expected to be affected by flooding today until Monday. The Environment Agency said areas around the River Avon in Worcestershire and Warwickshire were expected to be affected by flooding until Monday.
In the West Midlands, it said, 5,713 properties have been protected by flood defences. In the West Midlands, it said 5,713 properties had been protected by flood defences.
Kate Marks, flood duty manager, said: "Our incident rooms remain open 24 hours a day and we are continuing to work closely with local authorities and partners." "Our incident rooms remain open 24 hours a day and we are continuing to work closely with local authorities and partners," Kate Marks, flood duty manager for the agency, said.
In Hereford, the River Wye was also set to peak on Friday, with the county council reporting some problems with school bus services.In Hereford, the River Wye was also set to peak on Friday, with the county council reporting some problems with school bus services.
There are no current warnings for the Birmingham area, but five flood alerts remain.There are no current warnings for the Birmingham area, but five flood alerts remain.
There was still some water on the roads around the Black Country, with Wigmore Lane in West Bromwich, flooded.There was still some water on the roads around the Black Country, with Wigmore Lane in West Bromwich, flooded.
Two flood warnings also remain in place for Staffordshire, including for the Bourne Brook at Hints and Drayton Manor Park. Two flood warnings remain in Staffordshire, including for the Bourne Brook at Hints and Drayton Manor Park.
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.