Plea to evacuate flood-risk homes
PEOPLE are being urged to leave their homes in the face of further flooding as one official warned residents are “not out of the woods yet” in the aftermath of Storm Dennis.
Police have advised residents in affected areas of Shropshire they are risking their own safety and that of the emergency services if they choose not to evacuate.
There were 10 severe flood warnings in place at one point across England and Wales, and warnings of continued problems amid a forecast of more heavy rain forecast later in the week
Communities across the country are counting the cost of the storm, which has left hundreds of properties flooded, and Prime Minister Boris Johnson has faced criticism for not visiting affected areas.
The latest warning, for the River Severn in Telford, prompted the evacuation of about 30 properties as water pressure caused the road surface to crack and levels threatened to overtop the barrier.
Residents of the Wharfage, located along the river, were being taken to a cafe on the High Street in Ironbridge while 21 cars parked in the area were taken to a nearby park and ride to save them from flooding.
The Environment Agency predicted river levels could reach 22ft (6.7m).
EA manager for Herefordshire and Worcestershire Dave Throup, who has said the level of flooding leaves affected parts in “uncharted territory”, added that water is at “exceptionally high levels” around Ironbridge and Bridgnorth.
Chief Superintendent Tom Harding, from West Mercia Police, said: “We know some people want to stay in their homes but we would really ask that for their own safety they find alternative arrangements.
“The levels could remain high for a few days and while they are fine now, the situation could change rapidly. Not only are they risking their own safety but the safety of emergency services who ultimately could have to rescue them.”
There was relief in Upton upon Severn and Uckinghall in Worcestershire yesterday that flood defences had not been breached.
But Mr Throup urged people in those areas to “remain vigilant”. He said: “We’re certainly not out of the woods yet, there is quite a long way to go with this flood.”
The River Wye reached its highest levels on record on Monday, peaking at around 20ft (6m), with residents in Hereford saying they had never seen anything like it.
The family of Yvonne Booth, who was swept away by floodwater near Tenbury in Worcestershire on Sunday, said they had been left “devastated” after her body was found. The 55-year-old, from the Great Barr area of Birmingham, was described as a “very much loved member of our family”.
The PM has resisted calls to chair a meeting of the Government’s emergency committee Cobra to tackle the flooding crisis.
Shadow environment secretary Luke Pollard, who has said it was a “disgrace” that Mr Johnson had “refused” to visit affected communities, said the Government’s floods response “hasn’t been good enough”.