Floodwaters overwhelm barriers, prompt 'immediate evacuations' in western England
By
Renee Duff, AccuWeather senior meteorologist
Published Feb 24, 2020 4:32 PM EDT
The River Severn filled up the underneath of a bridge in Shrewsbury, as well as flooding man-made defenses in the towns of Bewdley and Shropshire, England, on Feb. 25 and Feb. 26.
As the United Kingdom continues to reel from river flooding with water levels on the rise in some communities, rounds of unsettled weather will persist across the country throughout the rest of February.
Temporary barriers set up along the River Severn, that flows through western England, were breached on Tuesday night as another round of heavy rain moved through, reported The Telegraph.
While floodwaters poured into the town of Bewdley in Worcestershire, England, barriers were pushed back in Ironbridge, Shropshire, due to the force of the river.
"We're currently carrying out an immediate evacuation in Ironbridge due to the temporary barriers becoming overwhelmed," a West Mercia Police spokesman.
Downpours brought by Storm Dennis during the middle of the month set off the river flooding disaster, with rounds of wet weather further exacerbating flooding problems thereafter.
Some of the worst flooding is ongoing along the River Severn in Ironbridge and Shrewsbury, England, where officials say water levels could reach their highest ever recorded.
Water levels are predicted to rise to 4.8-5.2 meters (15.7-17 feet), according to the Environment Agency (EA).
"If we reach that [higher] level… then we're above the highest that we've ever had," Chris Bainger of the EA told BBC News.
Hundreds of flood warnings and alerts are in effect across the U.K., meaning that flooding is expected and immediate action is required or flooding is possible and to be prepared for worsening conditions.
Most Network Rail lines have been closed as flood waters reach dangerous levels on the Severn Viaduct, which carries the majority of lines in and out of Shrewsbury station, according to BBC News.
Lines will remain closed until water levels recede and the safety of the viaduct has been ensured.
On Monday, the A5 between Gobowen and Gledrid was closed due to high water. Several schools across the region were closed at the start of the week as the flooding situation worsened, according to BBC News.
Businesses are remaining open as long as they can in Shrewsbury, but the town remains accessible only by foot.
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"If the barriers breach at Coleham again, as they did last week, then that will close off the town and the English Bridge," Clive Wright of the Shropshire Council told BBC News.
A resident who lives near the English Bridge, Debbie Bradbury-Walker, and her partner Anna told the news agency that 0.08-0.1 meters (3-4 inches) of water filled the ground floor of their house.
"It's the first time it's flooded like this and entered the house in the five years we've lived here," they said.
As flooding fears persist, water levels rise and residents and businesses work to protect property, an unsettled weather pattern will continue across the United Kingdom this week, following a storm on Monday that brought another round of rain and wind.
"The good news is that much of the rain that comes over the next few days will be in the form of showers," AccuWeather Meteorologist Tyler Roys said.
The showery spells and lack of heavy rainfall will limit the potential for new flooding problems to arise but may slow the recession of water on larger rivers and delay recovery efforts in communities devastated by flooding.
"River water levels should start to come down on Wednesday, but we have to watch later in the week for rain that could enhance swelling of the rivers in the area," Roys said.
Motorists should remain vigilant throughout the week for flooded roadways and travel delays. Never drive through floodwaters on a road, as even a small amount of water can wash away the road itself or your car, putting you in danger.
Residents should monitor waterways near their homes and have an evacuation plan in place if needed.
The above-normal precipitation so far this winter season is likely to eliminate the risk of drought during the spring months. Overall, AccuWeather meteorologists expect the spring to be warm across much of the United Kingdom, with rainy spells persisting to the north.
Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.
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News / Severe Weather
Floodwaters overwhelm barriers, prompt 'immediate evacuations' in western England
By Renee Duff, AccuWeather senior meteorologist
Published Feb 24, 2020 4:32 PM EDT
The River Severn filled up the underneath of a bridge in Shrewsbury, as well as flooding man-made defenses in the towns of Bewdley and Shropshire, England, on Feb. 25 and Feb. 26.
As the United Kingdom continues to reel from river flooding with water levels on the rise in some communities, rounds of unsettled weather will persist across the country throughout the rest of February.
Temporary barriers set up along the River Severn, that flows through western England, were breached on Tuesday night as another round of heavy rain moved through, reported The Telegraph.
While floodwaters poured into the town of Bewdley in Worcestershire, England, barriers were pushed back in Ironbridge, Shropshire, due to the force of the river.
"We're currently carrying out an immediate evacuation in Ironbridge due to the temporary barriers becoming overwhelmed," a West Mercia Police spokesman.
Downpours brought by Storm Dennis during the middle of the month set off the river flooding disaster, with rounds of wet weather further exacerbating flooding problems thereafter.
Some of the worst flooding is ongoing along the River Severn in Ironbridge and Shrewsbury, England, where officials say water levels could reach their highest ever recorded.
Water levels are predicted to rise to 4.8-5.2 meters (15.7-17 feet), according to the Environment Agency (EA).
"If we reach that [higher] level… then we're above the highest that we've ever had," Chris Bainger of the EA told BBC News.
Hundreds of flood warnings and alerts are in effect across the U.K., meaning that flooding is expected and immediate action is required or flooding is possible and to be prepared for worsening conditions.
Most Network Rail lines have been closed as flood waters reach dangerous levels on the Severn Viaduct, which carries the majority of lines in and out of Shrewsbury station, according to BBC News.
Lines will remain closed until water levels recede and the safety of the viaduct has been ensured.
On Monday, the A5 between Gobowen and Gledrid was closed due to high water. Several schools across the region were closed at the start of the week as the flooding situation worsened, according to BBC News.
Businesses are remaining open as long as they can in Shrewsbury, but the town remains accessible only by foot.
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"If the barriers breach at Coleham again, as they did last week, then that will close off the town and the English Bridge," Clive Wright of the Shropshire Council told BBC News.
A resident who lives near the English Bridge, Debbie Bradbury-Walker, and her partner Anna told the news agency that 0.08-0.1 meters (3-4 inches) of water filled the ground floor of their house.
"It's the first time it's flooded like this and entered the house in the five years we've lived here," they said.
As flooding fears persist, water levels rise and residents and businesses work to protect property, an unsettled weather pattern will continue across the United Kingdom this week, following a storm on Monday that brought another round of rain and wind.
"The good news is that much of the rain that comes over the next few days will be in the form of showers," AccuWeather Meteorologist Tyler Roys said.
The showery spells and lack of heavy rainfall will limit the potential for new flooding problems to arise but may slow the recession of water on larger rivers and delay recovery efforts in communities devastated by flooding.
"River water levels should start to come down on Wednesday, but we have to watch later in the week for rain that could enhance swelling of the rivers in the area," Roys said.
Motorists should remain vigilant throughout the week for flooded roadways and travel delays. Never drive through floodwaters on a road, as even a small amount of water can wash away the road itself or your car, putting you in danger.
Residents should monitor waterways near their homes and have an evacuation plan in place if needed.
The above-normal precipitation so far this winter season is likely to eliminate the risk of drought during the spring months. Overall, AccuWeather meteorologists expect the spring to be warm across much of the United Kingdom, with rainy spells persisting to the north.
Related:
Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.
Report a Typo