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Storm Dennis: Missing woman believed dead in flood water Storm Dennis: Woman missing in floods believed to have died
(32 minutes later)
A woman who went missing in flood water in Worcestershire is believed to have died, police have said. A woman who went missing in floods in Worcestershire is believed to have died, police have said.
The woman, who has not yet been named, disappeared on Sunday near Tenbury Wells. The woman disappeared on Sunday near Eastham Bridge, which crosses the River Teme near Tenbury Wells.
The search resumed earlier but is now believed to be a "recovery rather than rescue mission", West Mercia Police said. The search resumed earlier but is now a "recovery rather than rescue mission", West Mercia Police said.
A man was rescued from the water as a result of the same incident and remains in a stable condition in hospital.
In a statement, officers said: "The search has continued this morning, including the use of the police helicopter.
"Sadly, however, due to the circumstances of the length of time in the water and other conditions we believe that this will now be a recovery rather than rescue operation.
"Her family have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers."
Widespread evacuations are taking place across Worcestershire and Herefordshire as river levels continue to rise in the wake of Storm Dennis.Widespread evacuations are taking place across Worcestershire and Herefordshire as river levels continue to rise in the wake of Storm Dennis.
Severe flood warnings, meaning a danger to life, remain in place for the River Teme in Ludlow and in Tenbury Wells.Severe flood warnings, meaning a danger to life, remain in place for the River Teme in Ludlow and in Tenbury Wells.
The River Wye in Hereford has reached its highest recorded level overnight - 6.3m (20.7ft). The River Wye in Hereford reached its highest recorded level overnight - 6.3m (nearly 21ft).
About 130 homes in Tenbury have been evacuated overnight with roads around the area deemed "virtually all impassable" by Worcestershire County Council. In a statement about the missing woman, who has not been named, officers said: "The search has continued this morning, including the use of the police helicopter.
The authority said it was working with the Environment Agency, West Mercia Police, Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, and the ambulance service to evacuate more residents later. "Sadly, however, due to the circumstances of the length of time in the water and other conditions we believe that this will now be a recovery rather than rescue operation.
"Her family have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers."
A man rescued from the water close to where the woman disappeared remains in a stable condition in hospital, police added.
About 130 homes in Tenbury were evacuated overnight, with roads in the area described as "virtually all impassable" by Worcestershire County Council.
The authority said it was working with the Environment Agency, police, fire service and paramedics to evacuate more residents.
"Although in some areas river levels are dropping, they are set to rise again over the next few hours, peaking during the evening," a spokesman said."Although in some areas river levels are dropping, they are set to rise again over the next few hours, peaking during the evening," a spokesman said.
"Major incidents have been declared in both counties," the council said, adding that more flood barriers might be erected later. "Major incidents" have been declared in both counties, the council said, adding that more flood barriers might be erected later.
In a tweet, Herefordshire Police said it was carrying out emergency evacuations in to a leisure centre. In a tweet, Herefordshire Police said officers were carrying out emergency evacuations to a leisure centre.
Telford and Wrekin council said it was due a delivery of sandbags and would be distributing them from 10:00 GMT. Telford & Wrekin Council said it would be distributing sandbags at 10:00 GMT.
Elsewhere, thousands of sandbags have been distributed in York where levels on the River Ouse continue to rise in the wake of Storm Dennis, however the Environment Agency has said the situation in the city was an "improving one". Elsewhere, thousands of sandbags have been distributed in York where the River Ouse continues to rise, although the Environment Agency has said the situation in the city is an "improving one".
The Ouse had been expected to peak at 4.8m (about 15.7ft) above normal levels later on Monday, however the latest prediction was for a lower peak of about 4.6m at lunchtime. The Ouse had been expected to peak at 4.8m (nearly 16ft) above normal levels later on Monday, however, the latest prediction is for a peak of about 4.6m at lunchtime.
That level is higher than during Storm Ciara, but significantly lower than the record high level of 5.4m in November 2000. That level is higher than during Storm Ciara, but significantly lower than the record high of 5.4m in November 2000.
Craig McGarvey from the Environment Agency said the peak was well below the city's flood defences.Craig McGarvey from the Environment Agency said the peak was well below the city's flood defences.
He added: "It's a much improving situation and we haven't had as much rain as we were concerned about before the weekend."He added: "It's a much improving situation and we haven't had as much rain as we were concerned about before the weekend."
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