River Severn finally begins to consume Bewdley

Flood defences were finally breached in Bewdley last night after the Worcestershire town held out for days against the rising levels of the River Severn.    

Photographs taken at Beale’s Corner in the riverside town, which straddles the Severn north of Worcester, show flood water pouring over the top of temporary barriers erected in the wake of Storm Dennis.

Video posted to Twitter by an Environment Agency manager also captures the Severn breaching these flood barriers, and consuming an area close to homes and businesses near the riverbank. 

Hereford and Worcester firefighters were scrambled to the area on Tuesday along with paramedics to evacuate residents as the Severn flowed above the line of flood barriers for the first time in decades.

Emergency workers also tried in vain to pump floodwater back into the Severn as water gushed onto Stourport Road. 

On Wednesday evening, the river at Bewdley is expected to come close to its highest recorded level, which was 5.56m in November 2000, the Environment Agency said.  

It comes as low-lying areas along the River Severn are also expected to be hit by severe flooding on Wednesday, with potential over-topping of defences in Ironbridge in Shropshire of high concern. 

Photographs taken at Beale’s Corner in Bewdley last night, which straddles the River Severn north of Worcester, show flood water pouring over the top of temporary barriers erected in the wake of Storm Dennis

Pictured: Flood defences have been compromised in the Worcestershire town of Bewdley after the River Severn has risen above the line of the flood barriers for the first time in decades

Pictured: Flood defences have been compromised in the Worcestershire town of Bewdley after the River Severn has risen above the line of the flood barriers for the first time in decades

Ongoing flooding is forecast over the next few days, with England having seen more than 200 per cent of its average February rainfall, the agency said. 

The Met Office has warned of further showers across the UK on Wednesday, followed by even more rainfall on Thursday and Friday.

Forecaster John Griffiths said between 5mm to 10mm could fall on the River Severn’s source, the Welsh hills, throughout Wednesday, with other parts of the UK seeing up to 2mm.

He said temperatures are likely to ‘hover around freezing’ in the morning, with the west of England and the Midlands experiencing the most frequent showers.

A yellow weather warning for snow and ice has been issued until 10am on Wednesday for Northern Ireland, west Scotland, Wales and large swathes of England.

Ongoing flooding is forecast over the next few days, with England having seen more than 200 per cent of its average February rainfall

Ongoing flooding is forecast over the next few days, with England having seen more than 200 per cent of its average February rainfall

On Wednesday evening, the river at Bewdley is expected to come close to its highest recorded level, which was 5.56m in November 2000, the Environment Agency said (Pictured: Flood water breaches defences in Bewdley)

On Wednesday evening, the river at Bewdley is expected to come close to its highest recorded level, which was 5.56m in November 2000, the Environment Agency said (Pictured: Flood water breaches defences in Bewdley)

The Met Office has warned of further showers across the UK on Wednesday, followed by even more rainfall on Thursday and Friday

The Met Office has warned of further showers across the UK on Wednesday, followed by even more rainfall on Thursday and Friday

The Met Office warned that ‘wintry showers’ were expected throughout Tuesday night and Wednesday morning ‘leaving surfaces wet and leading to icy stretches developing on untreated surfaces’.

Up to three inches of snow was also expected on higher ground in northwest England, Wales and west Scotland.   

Another yellow weather warning for ice is also in place in the Midlands and South of England, with the Met Office warning ‘icy stretches are likely to bring some travel disruption overnight and into Wednesday morning’.

Up to 10mm of rain is forecast for most areas on Thursday, increasing to 10mm to 20mm in a 24-hour period between Friday and Saturday morning across catchment areas in Wales, Cumbria and Yorkshire, Mr Griffiths said.

Pictured: People eat in front of temporary flood defences in Bewdley, Worcestershire, in the aftermath of Storm Dennis last week

Pictured: People eat in front of temporary flood defences in Bewdley, Worcestershire, in the aftermath of Storm Dennis last week

Water was seen gushing over the top of the barriers onto Stourport Road as pumps tried in vein to pump the water back into the river

Water was seen gushing over the top of the barriers onto Stourport Road as pumps tried in vein to pump the water back into the river

Hereford and Worcester firefighters along with West Midlands Ambulance Hazardous Area Response Team paramedics were scrambled to the historic town of Bewdley in Worcestershire this evening as the River Severn flowed over the flood barriers protecting the town

Hereford and Worcester firefighters along with West Midlands Ambulance Hazardous Area Response Team paramedics were scrambled to the historic town of Bewdley in Worcestershire this evening as the River Severn flowed over the flood barriers protecting the town

The Environment Agency has warned flooding is possible on the rivers Wye, Ouse and Trent, with other areas at risk from localised flooding caused by heavy rainfall expected on Friday (Pictured: Emergency services in Bewdley)

The Environment Agency has warned flooding is possible on the rivers Wye, Ouse and Trent, with other areas at risk from localised flooding caused by heavy rainfall expected on Friday (Pictured: Emergency services in Bewdley)

The Environment Agency has warned flooding is possible on the rivers Wye, Ouse and Trent, with other areas at risk from localised flooding caused by heavy rainfall expected on Friday.

It comes as homes were evacuated on Tuesday after the River Aire burst its banks in Snaith, in East Yorkshire.

As of 10.30pm, two severe ‘danger to life’ flood warnings had been issued for the Shropshire towns of Shrewsbury and Ironbridge.

The Environment Agency said there is a ‘potential for the Ironbridge [flood] barrier to overtop’.

A further 101 flood warnings, meaning that flooding is expected, and 147 flood alerts, meaning that flooding is possible, are also in place across the country.

A further 101 flood warnings, meaning that flooding is expected, and 147 flood alerts, meaning that flooding is possible, are also in place across the country

A further 101 flood warnings, meaning that flooding is expected, and 147 flood alerts, meaning that flooding is possible, are also in place across the country

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