Museums remain underwater following Severn flooding in Ironbridge
The mission to clean the museums up is underway
Last updated 25th Feb 2022
Four museums in the Ironbridge area in Shropshire have had to shut their doors due to the severe flooding from the River Severn.
As a result of Storms Dudley, Eunice and Franklin which battered the UK last week, water levels managed to breach flood defences.
This left parts of Ironbridge Gorge under water whilst a rare severe flood warning was issued by the Met Office.
Since the Severn's water levels have decreased, a clean-up operation is now underway at the Jackfield Tile Museum, Ironbridge Tollhouse, Coalport China Museum and the Museum of the Gorge.
Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio, Karen Davies, Development Manager from the Ironbridge Gorge Museums Trust said the scale of the damage is still unknown.
"What we don't know at this stage is just how much of a mess there will be when the flood waters recede," she said.
"We know from experience, unfortunately, that the clean-up job is quite difficult - there will be a lot of damage."
Two of the museums currently remain underwater, and it is expected to take weeks before the museums are running at normal capacity.
This is the third year in a row that the Museums have flooded, and Ms Davies said it has had a wider impact on tourism in the region.
"This week, we will certainly be down to about 25% of our forecasted visitor numbers and the impact will be huge.
"It's a shame for all our visitors who would have been looking forward to coming to Ironbridge."