Chaos and disruption brought to Herefordshire and Worcestershire by Storm Bert
Flooding has caused a huge impact on the areas.
Last updated 25th Nov 2024
Hundreds of businesses and homes are starting to see the aftermath of Storm Bert, as clean-up operations are underway.
Heavy downpours caused several rivers across Herefordshire and Worcestershire to burst their banks, in particular in Tenbury Wells.
The Kyre Brook was overflowing so much it caused a wall to collapse, which led to streams of water filling the town centre.
Nick Reed is from the Environment Agency, he said: "Rivers are starting to drop back down and it's just a sheer amount of water that has fallen and has worked it's way down.
"The community has to now look at what they can do, with cleaning up all the water, mud and debris and it's going to be a difficult time for them."
Businesses in Tenbury have been telling us they've seen some of the worst flooding for a long time.
Laura Jones owns Rainbow Crafts, she said: "I've never seen it this bad, it's just awful. This has finished us.
"We stayed in the shop for as long as we could and then the fire brigade said we needed to run as the water was coming.
"We went back in the evening and the water was up to our waist it was that deep.
"It's a very sad day for all of us, I just cannot afford to come back from this."
Officers in Tenbury Wells are also investigating a video that's been circulation online of a tractor driving through the flooded water and allegedly causing damage to shops.
In the video, waves caused by the tractor can be seen smashing into windows of already-flood-hit premises.
A police statement said: "We're actively investigating the incident and officers are in Tenbury Wells this morning speaking to people whose businesses and properties may have been affected, as well as reviewing additional video footage.
"No arrests have been made at this time. We will provide further updates when we are able to."
Meanwhile, the Regal Theatre in the town have opened their doors for flood-hit businesses and residents to enjoy a hot drink for free.
Elsewhere, school children had to be rescued in Evesham this morning as their school bus became stuck in flood water.
All 57 children and the driver were retrieved by the fire service on boats and placed on a replacement coach to continue their journey to school.
No one was hurt and injured in the incident.
Many schools remain closed, along with roads still blocked by the aftermath of the flooding.
Flood alerts do still remain in place across most of the region, with the message from authorities still being for people to take care when out and about.