Express & Star

Torrential rain and thunderstorms wreak havoc with flash flooding blocking roads

Flash flooding has caused havoc across the Midlands after torrential downpours and thunderstorms swept in.

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A driver had to be rescued after a car was submerged in flooding under Greenfield Lane railway bridge. Picture: @stephenlapper

West Midlands and Staffordshire fire services say they had received more than 900 calls in the around five hours.

Crews had been sent out to more than 100 incidents since 4.30pm.

Officials urged people to only call 999 if absolutely necessary.

Earlier in the day nearly 1,000 properties had been left without power due to overnight lightning and thunderstroms.

Firefighters have rescued a man from a car on Lordwood Road near Bearwood.

A driver had to be rescued after a car was submerged in flood water under Greenfield Lane railway bridge, near Moseley, Wolverhampton.

Routes by Birchley Island in Oldbury had seen major disruption including on Wolverhampton Road in both directions.

Bus service 126 was being diverted via Wolverhampton Road, Newbury Lane, Throne Road and Birchfield Lane.

Flooding had blocked Bridgeman Street in Walsall between Bradford Street and Station Street.

Police urged motorists not to travel down Boatmans Lane,in Walsall Wood.

High water levels caused four vehicles to be abandoned - three of which were submerged.

Officials on the Midland Metro advised travellers that passenger information boards had been disrupted by the heavy showers.

Firefighters in Bewdley tweeted a video showing flood water in the area.

"Severe thunderstorm has led to multiple properties being flooded in the Hollywood and Wythall area," they tweeted.

They said crews from Upton and Kidderminster have been among those to assist and advise homeowners and help stranded motorists.

Birmingham was also badly hit by flooding, including parts of Harborne, Stirchley, Selly Oak and Edgbaston.

Priory Road was closed off by Edgbaston Priory Club due to a fallen wall.

And flood water swept along Bristol Road.