Flooding fear as end in sight for big freeze
The end to the big freeze is finally in sight – but there are fears that flooding could be on the horizon as the blanket of snow across the West Midlands begins to melt.
Light snow flurries are expected in parts of the region today and tomorrow but forecasters say an increase in temperatures is on the way for the weekend with temperatures set to reach 6C (42F) in the region by Sunday.
For now conditions in some areas of the region are still treacherous and new figures have revealed that the number of patients treated at hospitals around the area for trips and falls has rocketed.
At Wolverhampton's New Cross Hospital, there has been a 126 per cent increase, with 111 patients admitted between Friday and Tuesday, compared to 49 the week before.
And trauma lists at Sandwell Hospital have doubled during the snow – though bosses say A&E attendances remain "steady".
At Dudley's Russells Hall Hospital 44 patients suffered limb fractures on Tuesday alone.
Sports fixtures due to take place on Wolverhampton City Council's pitches this weekend have been cancelled due to snow.
Meanwhile grit bins are being refilled in Staffordshire.
Environment Agency officials in the region are now weighing snow samples to calculate how much water is present and assess the risk of flooding.
