Homes threatened as rivers rise

Flooding in Belbroughton, Worcestershire. Pic by Steve Brown

Belbroughton was hit by flooding. Pic by Steve Brown

Six homes in a Worcestershire village have been flooded and a further 12 were threatened after a river burst its banks.

The River Stour overran and poured into the Horsley Brook, in Wolverley, near Kidderminster, at about 0500 BST.

Part of a cottage collapsed in Shutmill Lane, Belbroughton, on Saturday afternoon but no-one was inside.

Flood warnings are in place across Worcestershire and Herefordshire on the rivers Severn, Wye, Avon and Teme.

There is a warning in place on the River Severn at Worcester and between Worcester and Tewskebury, including Upton-upon-Severn and Kempsey.

Flooded hospital

There are three warnings on the Rive Wye, at Hereford, Hay-on-Wye and and Ross-on-Wye.

River levels in Hereford peaked on Saturday night at just under 5m (16ft).

The River Wye, Hereford. Photo by Tom Galloway

River levels peaked in Hereford on Saturday evening. Photo by Tom Galloway

Flood warnings are also in place on the River Avon - from Evesham to Tewkesbury including Pershore - and the River Teme around Tenbury Wells and Brandsford Bridge to Powick.

Firefighters also fought to divert water from the flooded Dolan Park Hospital in Tardebigge, Worcestershire, on Saturday evening.

Clear ups have begun in several areas, including Market Street, in the centre of Tenbury Wells, which was evacuated after flash flooding on Friday evening.

The Met Office has predicted a dry Monday and more rain on Tuesday, although it is expected to be lighter than over the weekend.

The Environment Agency is continuing to monitor the river levels.

A number of roads have been closed, including the A44 from Leominster to Monkland and the A4103 at the Bank House roundabout in Bransford.

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