The Environment Agency issued two Severe Flood Warnings late yesterday afternoon for Bewdley in Worcestershire and Ironbridge, Shropshire - residents in the flood-risk areas are being urged to evacuate with support from police and council.

The Environment Agency has issued a Severe Flood Warning for Beales Corner in Bewdley, Worcestershire due to extremely high river levels on the River Severn that are threatening to over-top temporary flood barriers. The high river levels are the result of back-to-back storms and continued heavy rain

Properties in Beales Corner are at a very high risk of flooding as the fast-flowing water from the River Severn is expected to flood the area on Tuesday 22 February with a peak expected on Wednesday 23 February.

Teams from the Environment Agency have been working throughout the weekend to deploy temporary flood barriers at Beales Corner. However, the Agency is warning that there is still a high risk that water levels will overtop the barrier.

Environment Agency Area Duty Manager for Worcestershire Gary Bywater said:

“We are facing a significant flood risk at Beales Corner in Bewdley and urging people to remain vigilant and take extreme care. Heavy rain, affecting already wet areas, is likely to cause significant river flooding along the River Severn for several days.

“We have teams out on the ground taking preventative action and we are working with other agencies to support people who need to evacuate their homes.”

Severe Flood Warning issued for Ironbridge, Shropshire due to immediate threat of flooding

The Environment Agency also issued a separate Severe Flood Warning for Ironbridge, Shropshire due to extremely high river levels on the River Severn that are threatening to over-top flood barriers.

Properties along The Wharfage in Ironbridge were at a very high risk of flooding as fast-flowing water from the River Severn was expected to flood the area later yesterday evening.

The Environment Agency has been working with local authorities over the past year to ensure that excellent resilient measures are in place should the barrier need to be deployed, including re-surfacing the road and maintaining the drains.

The Agency deployed temporary flood barriers along The Wharfage at the weekend, which are expected to divert the majority of the flood water. However, there is still a high risk that some water will breach the top of the defence.

Environment Agency Area Duty Manager for Shropshire Jim Kitchen said:

“We are facing a significant flood risk in Ironbridge and urging people to remain vigilant and take extreme care. Heavy rain, affecting already wet areas, is likely to cause significant river flooding along the River Severn for several days.”