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Storm Dennis: Major incident declared in Herefordshire Storm Dennis: Major incidents declared
(32 minutes later)
Major incidents have been declared in Worcestershire and Herefordshire, where Storm Dennis has caused "significant and widespread" flooding. Major incidents have been declared in Shropshire, Worcestershire and Herefordshire, where Storm Dennis has caused widespread flooding.
Severe flood warnings are in place in both counties, with officials warning of an "immediate risk to life". Severe warnings are in place across all three counties, with officials warning of an "immediate risk to life".
One resident said the storm had struck "like a tornado", bursting into her home through specialist flood doors meant to hold the water at bay.One resident said the storm had struck "like a tornado", bursting into her home through specialist flood doors meant to hold the water at bay.
There are also severe warnings in Shropshire. About 130 homes in Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire, are to be evacuated.
About 100 properties in Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire, have flooded, with some people rescued from their homes. West Mercia Police said a man had been rescued near Eastham Bridge on the River Teme in Tenbury Wells.
West Mercia Police said a man had been rescued in an incident near Eastham Bridge on the River Teme in Tenbury Wells.
The force said a number of roads across Worcestershire and Herefordshire were closed.The force said a number of roads across Worcestershire and Herefordshire were closed.
River levels are set to rise again over the next few hours, peaking during the evening.River levels are set to rise again over the next few hours, peaking during the evening.
A relief centre has been set up at a school in Tenbury Wells, and the Environment Agency urged residents to "take extreme care".A relief centre has been set up at a school in Tenbury Wells, and the Environment Agency urged residents to "take extreme care".
In a statement, 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".
'Most flood warnings on record'
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."
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 - dour of which are severe - and more than 300 flood alerts.
In Hereford, rest centres are being 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.Warnings are in place on the Teme, including for Tenbury Wells and Burford and Eardiston in Worcestershire.
They also apply to Little Hereford and Ashford Carbonel near the Herefordshire border and Ludlow in Shropshire.They also apply to Little Hereford and Ashford Carbonel 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."
Dave Throup, from agency, said people should "begin to think about moving out" if advised to. At the scene, Jen Meierhans - BBC Midlands Today
"If they have any flood arrangements in the house such as barriers fitted to them or covers for air bricks, then they need to activate those now because they're going to need them later on today." The centre of Tenbury Wells is under water.
He advised people to travel only "if absolutely essential". 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.
Some people have come 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 6am 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 on Market Street, Tenbury, said: "All the main streets are covered. You cannot go through it at all. The town's just dead, nobody can get in or out.Graham Stephens, from the Little Meadow Animal Rescue charity shop on Market Street, Tenbury, said: "All the main streets are covered. You cannot go through it at all. The town's just dead, nobody can get in or out.
"It's going to be like starting from scratch again with the shop, with everything just ruined, but we'll come through it.""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, the Ormiston Academy, has been turned into a refuge for people who have had to leave their homes.The town's high school, the Ormiston Academy, has been turned into a refuge for people who have had to leave their homes.
Christine Sheppard, from the school, said: "Yesterday we took some delivery of sleeping bags, air beds, torches, towels... We've got some basic supplies.Christine Sheppard, from the school, said: "Yesterday we took some delivery of sleeping bags, air beds, torches, towels... We've got some basic supplies.
"It's warm, it's dry, we've got tea, coffee, biscuits.""It's warm, it's dry, we've got tea, coffee, biscuits."
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 by the hedge out front.
"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."
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 have been 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.
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.