Drivers stranded as flooding causes major disruption in the West Country
Emergency workers are trying to reach drivers trapped on the M5 by flooding
Last updated 27th Sep 2024
Emergency services have been working to recover people stranded on the M5 this morning - amid flash floods causing major disruption to drivers.
A yellow alert for rain remains in place across the South West until 9 o'clock this morning, with the flooding happening days after another round of heavy rain.
We know that the police and fire crews are working with National Highways - as they try to reach the drivers who have been trapped.
The motorway's been closed between junctions 16 and 14, and diversions have been put in place.
A number of flood alerts also remain in place right across our region, in what one person on social media has described as a 'weather bomb' last night.
Fire crews are working with National Highways, whilst places like Wiltshire and Gloucestershire are not out of the woods, as there are still amber flood warnings around Swindon and Royal Wootton Bassett.
Wiltshire Police say they've had to recover a number of stranded cars in recent days - and their message is to not drive down closed roads.
Read more: Cars 'ignoring road closures' amid wet conditions in Wiltshire
This all comes as councils and emergency services in Northamptonshire and Hertfordshire confirmed a number of road closures and reassured residents they were working to keep people safe overnight.
Tewkesbury Borough Council, in Gloucestershire, has been handing out sandbags to residents to help protect their homes against flooding.
Parts of the country saw more than the monthly average rainfall on Monday, with flash flooding damaging homes and disrupting travel.
Avon Fire and Rescue told us: "We were called just after 1am this morning (27 September) to assist police and national highways with significant flooding on the M5 northbound and southbound between junctions 14 and 16. As of approximately 9am, all crews from Avon Fire & Rescue Service had left the scene.
"At the height of the incident, eight fire engines were on the scene, including two water rescue teams from Bath and Bedminster, the welfare unit, high volume pump from Nailsea and drone unit from Portishead.
"Crews rescued three people who were stranded in their cars and bought them to safety, three stranded cars have since been recovered.
"Our high-volume pump attended the incident and pumped water off the motorway into a suitable location to ensure flooding downstream was avoided.
"The drone unit from Portishead assisted in monitoring the size and reduction of the flood water.
"Thanks go to all local residents and everyone travelling through the area for their patience this morning while we dealt with the incident."
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