Flooding in Herefordshire and Worcestershire continues to cause disruptions

It's a heavy downpours for the last 48 hours have caused rivers to burst their banks.

Author: Hannah RichardsonPublished 17th Oct 2024
Last updated 17th Oct 2024

It's been another day of major disruption in Herefordshire and Worcestershire, as flooding continues to take it's toll.

More roads have been closed throughout the day, as water levels continue rising and remaining at a high level.

Several schools and businesses have been affected and forced to close.

Nia Powell is the headteacher of Peterchurch Primary School, where flood water started to enter the classrooms.

She said: "A small amount of staff stayed here to make sure pupils were safe. We actually barricaded the doors where water was coming in and had to call 999.

"It's had a devastating impact. It's awful that we've had to close.

"Our hope is that we can get back up and running next week. We are currently trying to make it as safe as we can, so we can get back to doing what we do best."

Currently there are twelve flood alerts in place and fourteen flood warnings, as the Environment Agency has warned that the flood threat isn't fully over yet.

Ed Bradford is the head of highways and traffic at Herefordshire Council, he said: "There are hidden dangers, so please don't drive through flood water.

"We've had a number of stranded vehicles and drivers requiring rescue from the fire service.

"There's been twenty-one road closures in force this morning, and then bus and rail disruption."

For many people in the counties, flooding is sadly no longer a shock when it happens. With videos emerging on social media of people canoeing.

Mary Long-Dhonau OBE, has been a flood campaigner in Ledbury for twenty-four years, she's been telling us that "she's not all surprised" and that "there is never enough done to mitigate flooding."

Hereford Rugby Football Club have posted photos of their fields that overfilled with water, as have Westfields Football Club.

Disruption is expected to last for some days.

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