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Towns near rising River Severn in flooding danger Severn flood defences breached as waters near record levels
(about 4 hours later)
Defences breached or shifted as river’s water level approaches record high Emergency evacuation takes place in Ironbridge, Shropshire, as water overwhelms barriers
Householders and businesspeople are bracing themselves for more severe flooding as water levels on stretches of the River Severn continue to rise towards record levels. Flood defences have been breached along the banks of the River Severn, forcing householders and businesspeople to flee their properties as water levels rose toward record levels.
Flood defences have been breached and in one case moved by the weight of the water racing downstream, and police and Environment Agency officials have pleaded with people to steer clear of the river. The water overwhelmed the flood barriers at Ironbridge in Shropshire, leading to an emergency evacuation and promoting concern that the world heritage site will suffer serious damage.
On Wednesday the towns of Bewdley in Worcestershire and Bridgnorth in Shropshire were feared to be most at risk. The water breached temporary flood barriers at Bewdley and workers were trying to pump the water away from roads and properties. A little further down the river at Bridgnorth, flooding took place in some areas that have not been inundated for a century.
By Wednesday morning the Severn at Bridgnorth had risen to just under 5.2 metres. The highest recorded level was 5.56 metres in 2000. Water also breached the temporary flood barriers in the Worcestershire town of Bewdley, causing homes there to be evacuated.
More than 3,000 sandbags were handed out in Bridgnorth to residents and businesses. More than 10,000 have been distributed across the county. Ironbridge bore the brunt on Wednesday. As 400 tonnes of water per second flowed through, the barriers were pushed back, allowing water to seep through and putting properties on the Wharfage area at risk.
Tim Smith, of Shropshire council, said: “We thought we were in recovery but we’re back in response.” West Mercia police Ch Supt Tom Harding, said: “We’ve got water that has started to come underneath the flood barriers and in areas it appears that it is buckling.” Police said virtually everyone had agreed to leave.
There was some slightly better news further upstream. The water level in Shrewsbury is thought to have peaked but shopkeepers there reported that streets and stores remained largely deserted. Shaun Davies, the Labour leader of Telford and Wrekin council, urged people to stay away from Ironbridge.
At Ironbridge, the water did not top the barriers but did push them back as 400 tonnes of water per second flowed through. He said: “The barriers are buckling, overwhelmed by the pure volume of water in the River Severn and the prolonged pressure they have been under.” Davies also expressed concern that senior government ministers had not visited the area.
Moving around parts of Shropshire was difficult, with 30 roads closed across the county by Wednesday. As well as the personal trauma the flooding is causing, the chair of the world heritage site steering group, Marion Blockley, expressed concern about what it could be doing to the historic spot.
“The world heritage site is not just the iron bridge. It is the former workers’ cottages, the warehouses, the industrial buildings, the other nearby villages,” she said. “The worry is that floods like this are putting the site at risk.”
Even businesses that have not been flooded are struggling. Richard Eley, whose family runs a pork pie shop and a cafe in Ironbridge, said the flooding was devastating. “This is a key time of year for us and the place is empty,” he said. Chris Warren did not bother opening the Copper Fox gift shop. “There’s nobody around – it’s not worth opening up,” he said.
The problem for Ironbridge is that the water is squeezed into a narrow gorge. Firefighters, an ambulance control unit and mountain rescue teams stood by as the evacuation took place.
Shropshire council was trying to rehouse the people who were evacuated and a local hotel was among that offered free rooms to those who had been displaced.
At Bridgnorth, where there are no permanent defences, sandbags were being placed along the riverbank to try to stem the flow.
Nick Bevon, the landlord of the Bassa Villa pub and restaurant, said that his cellar had flooded for the first time in a century. “We know we’ll never get flood defences,” he said. “There aren’t enough properties to protect here. We just have to carry on.”
Teacher Sally Hebbard is living in an Airbnb after being forced out of her riverside home with her husband and daughter. She said: “Our houses are under a foot of water, still rising. Two of the neighbours sadly couldn’t afford insurance. Shropshire council made no contact whatsoever with us, either prior to or during the evacuation process. They offered no assistance, not a single solitary sandbag was forthcoming.
“Now I sit listening to PMQs I hear Boris saying there will be a quick £500 and a further £5,000 available to us, but when I called the council I was met with a vague answer that they are waiting for central government to give them further information. So no immediate £500 then?”
“All other towns along the Severn have flood defences, why do Shropshire county council and this government continues to ignore this beautiful, historic market town?”
Russell Bate, whose home is a few metres from the flood water, said it was a disgrace that the prime minister had not visited. “We’re really struggling here. Where is he?”
Others were more phlegmatic. Victor Flavell had just finished building a sandbag wall at his front door. “I think I’m just about high enough to miss it but we’ll have to see,” he said.
More than 3,000 sandbags were handed out in Bridgnorth. More than 10,000 have been distributed across Shropshire.
The Met Office has warned of further showers across the UK on Wednesday, followed by even more rainfall on Thursday and Friday.The Met Office has warned of further showers across the UK on Wednesday, followed by even more rainfall on Thursday and Friday.
Its forecaster John Griffiths said between 5mm to 10mm could fall on the Severn’s source in the Welsh hills. Its forecaster John Griffiths said between 5mm and 10mm could fall on the Severn’s source in the Welsh hills.
As of Wednesday morning, there were severe “danger to life” flood warnings issued for Shrewsbury and Ironbridge. As of Wednesday afternoon, there were severe “danger to life” flood warnings issued for Shrewsbury and Ironbridge.
A further 101 flood warnings, meaning flooding is expected, and 146 flood alerts, meaning flooding is possible, were in place across England. A further 97 flood warnings, meaning flooding is expected, and 137 flood alerts, meaning flooding is possible, were in place across England.