Watch: Communities in Bewdley and Stourport hit by flooding from rising river

Areas of land around the river in Bewdley and Stourport have begun to see flooding as the heavy rainfall of the last week and overnight has caused river levels to rise and banks to burst.

Photos taken by the Express and Star show the area around Beales Corner in Bewdley covered in flood water, while the land under the Bridge Street bridge in Stourport have become waterlogged.

The notorious flood area of Beales Corner in Bewdley has flooded every year since 2020, with residents finding ways to protect their homes through sandbags, flood gates and other devices to minimise the damage of the flooding, with the river expected to peak at between 4.3m and 4.7m on Wednesday morning.

While the flood defences have been put in place on the Severnside South section of the town, meaning barriers along the town centre, the Environment Agency has stated that the barriers at Beales Corner will not be deployed due to the construction of the Flood Risk Management Scheme.

In Stourport, the Playland Fun Park and the parkland around it are under water, while Severnside and the access road to Stourport Marina have been hit by rising flood water.

Meanwhile, drivers in Staffordshire have been warned about flooding on the road on the A51 between Stone and Sandon near Stafford after a message was posted on the Little Bit of Stone X page.

The message read: "Beware, I have just driven from Stone to Sandon. There is severe flooding on the A51.

"Please don't try to get through it unless you have a bigger car.

"I have a small Honda and very nearly got stuck. More luck than judgment that I didn't.

"Don't risk it if you don't need to."

Rail travellers have also been hit with issues travelling into the region after flooding on the Cross City line between Longbridge and Bromsgrove and the Snow Hill line between Hagley and Stourbridge Junction.

West Midlands Railway said that services would terminate at Longbridge, with road transport between Longbridge and Bromsgrove.

A spokesman for West Midlands Railway said: "Flooding between Longbridge and Bromsgrove

"Cross City services to/from Bromsgrove will start/terminate at Longbridge.

"Road transport has been ordered between Longbridge and Bromsgrove."

The spokesman also spoke about the flooding on the Snow Hill line between Kidderminster and Stourbridge, saying that services were subject to delays, cancellations and alterations.

The spokesman said: "Flooding between Kidderminster and Stourbridge

"There is currently flooding in the Hagley area, blocking the line.

"Services on the Snow Hill line are subject to delays, cancellations and alterations."

Parts of Worcester, including the racecourse and New Road cricket ground, were under water after the banks of the River Severn burst.

In Cannock, there were reports of motorists being stuck on a dual carriageway on the A460 Eastern Way due to the road being flooded and cars getting stuck trying to turn around on the central reservation.

The continued heavy rain is expected to continue until tomorrow, with Storm Henk expected to bring very strong winds and heavy rain across much of southern England and Wales and the Met Office issuing amber and yellow warnings.

Coastal areas could see gusts of 70-80mph while inland areas could see 50-60mph winds as the storm, named by the Met Office, sweeps across the country.

Forecasters said there is a good chance that power cuts could occur, with probable damage to buildings, travel disruption and a chance of injury or loss of life from flying debris.

The amber warning is in place from 10am to 8pm today, while a yellow warning for wind is in place from 8am to 9pm.

It says: "Storm Henk will bring a spell of very strong winds, causing disruption to travel and utilities.

"Heavy rain falling on saturated ground is likely to cause some travel disruption."

The weather is expected to stay unsettled throughout the week across the UK but there are signs it could calm down after the weekend, the Met Office said.

The Environment Agency has posted an updated message to inform residents in Bewdley, Bridgnorth and Stourport that river levels are expected to rise due to rainfall.

A spokesman said about Bewdley: "As previously communicated, the Barriers at Beales Corner will not be deployed due to the construction of the Flood Risk Management Scheme.

Predicted Peak:- 4.3m to 4.7m Wednesday morning 03/01/24.

"Flood water could be deep and fast flowing, and therefore pose a risk to life. Further rainfall is forecast over the next 48 hours.

"We expect river levels to rise until this morning 02/01/24, with further peaks expected in the coming days.

"We are closely monitoring the situation and our incident response staff are liaising with emergency services and Local Authorities.

"Please avoid using low lying footpaths near local watercourses and plan driving routes to avoid low lying roads near rivers, which may be flooded.

"This message will be updated by 5pm today, 02/01/2024, or as the situation changes."

The B4194 Switchback road between Bewdley and Stourport was shown to have some flooding, but Worcestershire County Council had said the road was passable, but might close in the afternoon.

A spokesman for Worcestershire County Council said: "B4194 Switchback (Bewdley - Stourport) passable this morning & due to drop a little but very likely to be closed late afternoon today."

For Bridgnorth, the spokesman said that the predicted peak was between 4m and 4.3m, with properties on Severnside expected to be affected by flooding.

The spokesman said: "River levels are forecast to rise at the Bridgnorth river gauge as a result of heavy rainfall.

"Consequently, flooding of property, roads and farmland is expected to start between 2am and 9am tomorrow, 02/01/24.

"We expect flooding to affect properties on Severnside. Predicted Peak at Bridgnorth 4 to 4.3m Tuesday afternoon.

"Further rainfall is forecast over the next 48 hours and we expect river levels to continue to rise as a result.

"A further peak of between 4.2 and 4.7m could be possible on Friday morning based upon this forecast rainfall.

"We are closely monitoring the situation.

"Please avoid using low lying footpaths near local watercourses and plan driving routes to avoid low lying roads near rivers, which may be flooded.

"This message will be updated by 11am on 02/01/24, or as the situation changes."

For Stourport, a peak of between 4.3m and 4.7m was expected by Wednesday morning, with River Severn Sandy Lane Industrial Estate, Moor Hall Lane and Severnside Cottages expected to be hit by flooding.

The spokesman said: "River levels are rising at the Bewdley river gauge as a result of heavy rainfall.

"We expect flooding to affect properties at Severnside and the access road to Stourport Marina.

"Flood water could be deep and fast flowing, and therefore pose a risk to life. Further rainfall is forecast over the next 48 hours.

"We expect river levels to rise this morning 02/01/24, with further peaks expected in the coming days.

"We are closely monitoring the situation and our incident response staff are checking defences and clearing weed screens.

"Please avoid using low lying footpaths near local watercourses and plan driving routes to avoid low lying roads near rivers, which may be flooded.

"This message will be updated by 5pm on 02/01/2024, or as the situation changes."