Urgent flood warnings are currently in place for one UK region as river levels continue to rise after Storm Henk wreaked havoc across the UK. While the Met Office has a yellow alert for rain covering the entirety of the south of Enfland, flood warnings are currently in place for the River Severn at three locations: Shrawardine, Montford Bridge and Mytton, Shrewsbury, and the Showground and The Quarry.
Meanwhile a fourth flood warning, for the Rea Brook and Cound Brook area, was removed shortly before 9am on Thursday morning.
Flooding is also possible in Shropshire, and in the Tern and Perry catchments, according to the UK Government website. A number of road closures are already in place causing travel chaos in the region.
Severe flooding has sparked travel chaos all over the region, including the area outside of Gloucester Airport and nearby Worcester some 24 miles away. A spokesperson for Great Western Railway, which operates a number of services in the region, urged people planning to travel by train in the area to do so before 3pm on Thursday afternoon.
They said: “Due to heavy rainfall forecast on already flooded ground, Great Western Railway is advising people against starting their journey by rail. Those who have already travelled should consider making the return journey as soon as possible.
“With further flood warnings in place and the amount of rain forecast, Network Rail has identified key sites in Wiltshire, Somerset, Devon and Cornwall as being at risk of flooding from around 3pm. Trains may not be able to operate through these areas.”
The direct route between Swindon and Bristol Parkway remains closed due to flooding, reports GloucestershireLive. Other locations most at risk include sites between Swindon and Bristol Temple Mead, Newton Abbot and Plymouth, Exeter and Tiverton, Bristol Temple Meads and Western-super-Mare and Taunton and Westbury.
The Met Office currently has a yellow weather warning for rain in place for the south of England between 12pm today and 3am on Friday morning, with a spokesperson for the forecaster saying: “Another spell of rain falling onto saturated ground may lead to further flooding and travel disruption.”
Experts predict that some communities will be cut off by flooded roads, while spray and flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures.
The Met Office added that “possible power cuts and loss of other services to some homes and businesses”, while “homes and businesses could be flooded, causing damage to some buildings”.
Delays or cancellations to train and bus services are possible.
