This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/hereford/worcs/6769829.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Flash floods 'worst in a decade' Flash floods 'worst in a decade'
(about 1 hour later)
A clear-up operation is set to begin after heavy rain caused flash-flooding chaos that left people trapped in cars and their homes.A clear-up operation is set to begin after heavy rain caused flash-flooding chaos that left people trapped in cars and their homes.
Hereford and Worcester Fire Service took 300 calls in just a few hours.Hereford and Worcester Fire Service took 300 calls in just a few hours.
At Hampton Loade in Shropshire, rain washed away the main village road, leaving people trapped in their homes.At Hampton Loade in Shropshire, rain washed away the main village road, leaving people trapped in their homes.
Householder Godfrey Churchill said: "A huge section of road has gone. One van is buried in rubble. It'll take weeks to repair the road and we're stuck."Householder Godfrey Churchill said: "A huge section of road has gone. One van is buried in rubble. It'll take weeks to repair the road and we're stuck."
"It was the most amazing speed of flooding that we've had since the great Easter flood of 1999," a fire spokesman said.
MaroonedMarooned
"It was the most amazing speed of flooding that we've had since the great Easter flood of 1999," a fire spokesman said.
He said the worst-affected area was in north-west Worcestershire, where several people had to be rescued.He said the worst-affected area was in north-west Worcestershire, where several people had to be rescued.
Motorists were left stranded in their cars, in the Tenbury Wells area, and rising waters trapped mobile homeowners on a caravan site in Far Forest.Motorists were left stranded in their cars, in the Tenbury Wells area, and rising waters trapped mobile homeowners on a caravan site in Far Forest.
A coastguard helicopter, from Raf Kinloss was called in after the owner of a mill in Astley, near Stourport-on-Severn, became marooned when a brook was transformed into fast-moving water. Kingsbury Water Park, Warwickshire, pic sent in by Rob Hayes
A coastguard helicopter, from RAF Kinloss, was called in after the owner of a mill in Astley, near Stourport-on-Severn, became marooned when a brook was transformed into fast-moving water.
However, the waters receded before the helicopter arrived, and firefighters were able to reach the man and his dog to help them to safety.However, the waters receded before the helicopter arrived, and firefighters were able to reach the man and his dog to help them to safety.
"We also had to rescue a 92-year-old man and his 13-year-old grand-daughter from a cottage in the grounds of nearby Witley Court, because of rising floodwaters," said the fire spokesman."We also had to rescue a 92-year-old man and his 13-year-old grand-daughter from a cottage in the grounds of nearby Witley Court, because of rising floodwaters," said the fire spokesman.
"Fortunately the helicopter was not needed for any rescues, but it did do a search of the area.""Fortunately the helicopter was not needed for any rescues, but it did do a search of the area."


Were you in a flash flood area? Send us your pictures and moving images to yourpics@bbc.co.uk.Were you in a flash flood area? Send us your pictures and moving images to yourpics@bbc.co.uk.
Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and videoClick here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video