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Storm Dennis: Woman missing in floodwater as storm hits Storm Dennis: Woman missing in floodwater as storm hits
(about 2 hours later)
A woman is missing in floodwater in Worcestershire, amid a major incident caused by Storm Dennis.A woman is missing in floodwater in Worcestershire, amid a major incident caused by Storm Dennis.
Severe warnings are in place across the county, as well as Shropshire and Herefordshire, with officials warning of an "immediate risk to life". Severe warnings are in place across the county, as well as in Shropshire and Herefordshire, with officials warning of an "immediate risk to life".
Police said one man was rescued near Eastham Bridge over the River Teme near Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire, at about 11:30 GMT. Police said a man had been rescued near Eastham Bridge over the River Teme near Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire, at 11:30 GMT but a woman was still missing.
The search for the woman has been called off until Monday. The search for her has been called off until Monday.
About 130 homes in the market town are to be evacuated. About 130 homes in the market town have been evacuated.
A number of roads across Worcestershire and Herefordshire were closed, West Mercia Police said. A number of roads across Worcestershire and Herefordshire are closed, West Mercia Police said.
River levels are set to peak during the evening and overnight, according to the Environment Agency. River levels are set to peak overnight, according to the Environment Agency.
A relief centre has been set up at a school in Tenbury, and the agency has urged residents to "take extreme care".A relief centre has been set up at a school in Tenbury, and the agency has urged residents to "take extreme care".
Herefordshire Council said: "Please do not put yourself at unnecessary risk - avoid any unnecessary travel and do not enter flood water.Herefordshire Council said: "Please do not put yourself at unnecessary risk - avoid any unnecessary travel and do not enter flood water.
"Please check on your neighbours, especially if they are elderly or vulnerable.""Please check on your neighbours, especially if they are elderly or vulnerable."
The authority said it was concentrating its efforts "to ensure vulnerable residents are evacuated where needed".The authority said it was concentrating its efforts "to ensure vulnerable residents are evacuated where needed".
Sarah Bridge, from Pontrilas, Herefordshire, said she had suffered "catastrophic" flooding for the second time in four months.Sarah Bridge, from Pontrilas, Herefordshire, said she had suffered "catastrophic" flooding for the second time in four months.
When she moved to her home five years ago, she was told it had only flooded once in 50 years.When she moved to her home five years ago, she was told it had only flooded once in 50 years.
Her kitchen, which was due to be refitted on Monday following the previous flood in October, is now "waist deep in water".Her kitchen, which was due to be refitted on Monday following the previous flood in October, is now "waist deep in water".
The 55-year-old said floodwater "just came straight through" specialist flood doors which had recently been installed.The 55-year-old said floodwater "just came straight through" specialist flood doors which had recently been installed.
Ms Bridge said: "Storm Dennis came like a tornado…We had the pumps going trying to pump out as much water as we could but it came up to my knees and it got too dangerous to be there.Ms Bridge said: "Storm Dennis came like a tornado…We had the pumps going trying to pump out as much water as we could but it came up to my knees and it got too dangerous to be there.
"My husband and I retreated upstairs. It's heartbreaking."My husband and I retreated upstairs. It's heartbreaking.
"The kitchen is completely flooded, I can hear things floating about downstairs.""The kitchen is completely flooded, I can hear things floating about downstairs."
Most flood warnings on recordMost flood warnings on record
Storm Dennis has caused more than a month's worth of rain to fall across England.Storm Dennis has caused more than a month's worth of rain to fall across England.
John Curtin, from the Environment Agency, tweeted: "We now have the most flood warnings and alerts in force in England than any other day on record." John Curtin, from the Environment Agency, said a record number of flood warnings and alerts were issued for England on Sunday - with a combined total of 594 shortly before midday.
He said the conditions left by Storm Ciara had "driven the widespread significant flooding we're seeing".He said the conditions left by Storm Ciara had "driven the widespread significant flooding we're seeing".
There are more than 200 flood warnings in place - four of which are severe - and more than 300 flood alerts. In Hereford, rest centres have been set up at Holmer Leisure Centre, Holmer Road, and Point4, Venns Lane.
In Hereford, rest centres are being set up at Holmer Leisure Centre, Holmer Road, and Point4, Venns Lane. Warnings are in place on the Teme, including for Tenbury Wells and Burford and Eardiston in Worcestershire, and the river is approaching record levels.
Warnings are in place on the Teme, including for Tenbury Wells and Burford and Eardiston in Worcestershire. The warnings also apply to Little Hereford and Ashford Carbonell near the Herefordshire border and Ludlow in Shropshire.
These also apply to Little Hereford and Ashford Carbonell near the Herefordshire border and Ludlow in Shropshire.
West Worcestershire Conservative MP Harriett Baldwin said 50 homes were being evacuated.West Worcestershire Conservative MP Harriett Baldwin said 50 homes were being evacuated.
She said on Twitter: "Incident room warning that there will be a higher peak later today. Implement flood plans and avoid unnecessary travel."She said on Twitter: "Incident room warning that there will be a higher peak later today. Implement flood plans and avoid unnecessary travel."
Drivers also shared images of flooding at Powick Island in Worcestershire on social media.
At the sceneAt the scene
By Jen Meierhans, BBC Midlands TodayBy Jen Meierhans, BBC Midlands Today
The centre of Tenbury Wells is under water.The centre of Tenbury Wells is under water.
Cars have been abandoned up to their wheel arches in brown water.Cars have been abandoned up to their wheel arches in brown water.
I've just watched Severn Area Rescue Association taking a boat to collect a family from their flooded house and been on the phone to a woman stranded upstairs in a cottage as water reached the third step of the stairs.
She doesn't want to leave because she has three cats but she has no power and it's freezing.
Lots of people have told me they think the water looks higher than during the last major flooding in 2007.Lots of people have told me they think the water looks higher than during the last major flooding in 2007.
Some people have come out to take photographs, walk dogs and splash in puddles. Some people came out to take photographs, walk dogs and splash in puddles.
An emergency relief centre has been set up at the high school. Volunteers have been here since 06:00 inflating air beds and stocking up food supplies for the families expected to be evacuated from their homes when flooding peaks this evening.An emergency relief centre has been set up at the high school. Volunteers have been here since 06:00 inflating air beds and stocking up food supplies for the families expected to be evacuated from their homes when flooding peaks this evening.
Graham Stephens, from the Little Meadow Animal Rescue charity shop in Tenbury's Market Street, said it was "completely" flooded and had "lost so much stock it's heartbreaking".Graham Stephens, from the Little Meadow Animal Rescue charity shop in Tenbury's Market Street, said it was "completely" flooded and had "lost so much stock it's heartbreaking".
He added: "It's going to be like starting from scratch again with the shop, with everything just ruined, but we'll come through it."He added: "It's going to be like starting from scratch again with the shop, with everything just ruined, but we'll come through it."
The town's high school, Ormiston Academy, has been turned into a refuge for people who have had to leave their homes.The town's high school, Ormiston Academy, has been turned into a refuge for people who have had to leave their homes.
Tenbury resident Daniel Hughes said: "I got woken up by neighbours about half four this morning that our car was going under by the hedge out front. Tenbury resident Daniel Hughes said: "I got woken up by neighbours about half four this morning that our car was going under.
"So [we] had to take it up the high school. The water went up very quick.""So [we] had to take it up the high school. The water went up very quick."
Nigel and Mary Le Feuvre, who have a rented property in Tenbury Wells, said they were woken at 07:00 when someone rang the doorbell.Nigel and Mary Le Feuvre, who have a rented property in Tenbury Wells, said they were woken at 07:00 when someone rang the doorbell.
Mr Le Feuvre said water was now "percolating through the ground so it's coming through the carpets a bit".Mr Le Feuvre said water was now "percolating through the ground so it's coming through the carpets a bit".
There was "unprecedented" flooding on some of the rivers and streams in Worcestershire, the Environment Agency said.There was "unprecedented" flooding on some of the rivers and streams in Worcestershire, the Environment Agency said.
The Teme is the worst affected and levels are also very high on the Severn and Wye.The Teme is the worst affected and levels are also very high on the Severn and Wye.
All trains run by West Midlands Trains between Shrewsbury and Birmingham New Street have been cancelled. All trains run by West Midlands Trains between Shrewsbury and Birmingham New Street were cancelled.
Emergency sand bag stations have been set up in Ironbridge by Telford and Wrekin Council.Emergency sand bag stations have been set up in Ironbridge by Telford and Wrekin Council.
The authority said staff had opened its contact centre to help residents report any flooding issues to "help ease pressure" on the first service.The authority said staff had opened its contact centre to help residents report any flooding issues to "help ease pressure" on the first service.
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.