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Ironbridge flooding: Storm Jorge fears prompt defences repair plan Ironbridge flooding: Storm Jorge fears prompt defences repair plan
(about 1 hour later)
Repairs to buckled flood defences will start later if river levels fall low enough, but fears of more heavy rain mean the work must be done quickly. Engineers are racing to repair damaged flood defences before a new storm which threatens to bring more heavy rain.
A severe flood warning - meaning a danger to life - for the River Severn at Ironbridge has been downgraded.A severe flood warning - meaning a danger to life - for the River Severn at Ironbridge has been downgraded.
But Tim Norton from the Environment Agency (EA) said: "We're not out of the woods yet." The Environment Agency (EA) aims to finish repair work in the Shropshire town before Storm Jorge, which is due to strike within hours.
Up to 500 tonnes of water per second was flowing through the Shropshire town pushing back barriers by two metres. Tim Norton, from the agency, said: "We're not out of the woods yet."
The EA aims to do the work before Storm Jorge, which is due to strike within hours. Barriers along the river were pushed back 2m (6ft 6ins) as up to 500 tonnes of water per second flowed through Ironbridge.
The work follows a visit by Environment Secretary George Eustice went to Ironbridge and Shrewsbury on Thursday, after Boris Johnson was criticised for not visiting the flooded areas. Photos show marks left in the road where steel supports had been moved by the weight of the rising river.
Photos taken in Ironbridge show marks left in the road where flood barriers were pushed back by the weight of the rising water. Barriers 'did their job'
Evacuations of residents were forced when water seeped under the defences on Wednesday. Mr Norton said engineers had carried out inspections "right the way along the barrier" and were "replacing the parts that need to be replaced and getting it all ready".
He said the work will be finished "in time for Sunday or Monday when river levels may rise again".
Engineers had been "really impressed with how the barriers have held up", Mr Norton said.
"Even though they moved, even though there was some damage they still did their job.
"The worst hasn't happened... and we're confident they will offer really good protection in the coming days."
Residents were forced to evacuate their homes when water seeped under the defences on Wednesday.
Up to 80mm of rain is expected to fall in parts of Wales when the storm hits and the Met Office said the forecast was "not good news" for flood-hit communities.Up to 80mm of rain is expected to fall in parts of Wales when the storm hits and the Met Office said the forecast was "not good news" for flood-hit communities.
"With the ground being so sodden, there's no capacity at all for that to be absorbed," Chris Bainger, from the EA, said."With the ground being so sodden, there's no capacity at all for that to be absorbed," Chris Bainger, from the EA, said.
"We'll probably find all that water making its way into the head of the Severn and working its way through.""We'll probably find all that water making its way into the head of the Severn and working its way through."
Dozens of flood warnings are in place along the length of the river, with Shrewsbury and Worcester still recovering from the aftermath of Storm Ciara and Storm Dennis, earlier this month.Dozens of flood warnings are in place along the length of the river, with Shrewsbury and Worcester still recovering from the aftermath of Storm Ciara and Storm Dennis, earlier this month.
In Ironbridge, the EA must wait until water is completely off the flood defences before it can assess them for damage. River levels in Ironbridge have so far dropped by about 1.5m, from a peak of about 6.8m on Wednesday to 5.2m.
Levels have so far dropped by about 1.5m, from a peak of about 6.8m on Wednesday to 5.2m. Ch Sup Tom Harding, from West Mercia Police, said a fresh deluge was expected to hit the town from Sunday night.
The EA said it was "hopeful" and "optimistic" it can complete repairs to the barriers later. The work follows a visit by Environment Secretary George Eustice went to Ironbridge and Shrewsbury on Thursday, after Boris Johnson was criticised for not visiting the flooded areas.
Engineers have been able to get in to examine the sections that slipped back under pressure from the river and new barriers have been delivered to replace damaged panels. Steven Clarke, who runs greengrocers The Allotment in Coleham, Shrewsbury, said the minister only listened to their woes when he was approached.
Sections that moved will be taken down and assessed before being repaired and replaced in their original position before the weekend rain swells the river. Mr Clarke said it could have just been a "PR exercise", adding: "He's assured us that he will go back and there will be more information provided to us.
Ch Sup Tom Harding, from West Mercia Police, said it was expected to hit the town from Sunday night.
Referring to Mr Eustice's visit Steven Clarke, who runs greengrocers The Allotment in Coleham, Shrewsbury, said the minister only listened to their woes when he was approached.
It could have just been a PR exercise, but Mr Clarke said: "He's assured us that he will go back and there will be more information provided to us.
"I will be looking for answers.""I will be looking for answers."
Since 15 February, Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue said it has rescued 185 people from flood waters and helped to evacuate a further 204. Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue said it had rescued 185 people from flood waters and helped to evacuate a further 204 since 15 February,
It has also rescued 19 dogs, 10 cats, 55 sheep, a pony, a parrot and a snake, the service added.It has also rescued 19 dogs, 10 cats, 55 sheep, a pony, a parrot and a snake, the service added.
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Are you being evacuated from Ironbridge or the surrounding areas? If you are able to share your experiences email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you being evacuated from Ironbridge or the surrounding areas? If you are able to share your experiences email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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