Flood alerts remain in place in the Upper and Lower Teme

  • Central
Flood alerts remain in place on the River Teme Credit: ITV Central

This picture shows logs jamming parts of the historic Powick Bridge in Worcestershire. There are currently flood alerts for the Upper and Lower Teme. Environment Agency figures show it could rise considerably in places in the next 24 hours.

The River Severn levels have been generally stable this morning over a large area, but more water is expected to head down from the Welsh mountains in the coming days, as well as water from tributaries and already-swollen brooks which feed into it.

Flood plains are full and surrounding fields are swamped with water which has been spilling over on to country lanes. Latest figures show 19,000 acres along the Severn and Avon were underwater on Boxing Day.

In the Agency's Midlands region, there are currently 22 Flood Warnings and 30 Flood Alerts. This number could well rise.

Large numbers of properties are currently being protected by flood defences erected by the Environment Agency - including at Bewdley, Shrewsbury, Worcester, Upton-upon-Severn, Ironbridge.

At Severn Stoke in Worcestershire, the church and Rose and Crown public house have been flooded. Residents say there are further problems elsewhere in the village with sewage spilling on to some lawns from drains after the flooded pumping station broke down.

Away from the rivers, trouble spots are likely to be on or beneath hillsides - with water running off fields and on to roads, and possibly into houses. Drains could become overloaded.

Motorway drivers are being urged to take extra care because of spray and surface water. The general advice is: don't drive through flood water, especially if you don't know how deep it is. Your engine can be wrecked, and even in shallow water your vehicle can be swept away and turned over by strong, and often hidden, currents.

The AA has also warned motorists to check their engines - as many cars won't have been used over the Christmas period. The organisation says January 2nd could be its busiest day when people return to work and discover their batteries are flat.