Flood barriers buckle in Bewdley and Ironbridge as flooding continues

Currently, along the River Severn, two severe "danger to life" flood warnings remain in place for the Shropshire towns of Shrewsbury and Ironbridge, with a further 101 warnings in place across the country.

An emergency evacuation is underway in the Wharfage area of nearby Ironbridge after flood defences were "compromised" and "buckling" in some areas.

Meanwhile barriers at Beales Corner were breached on Tuesday night, with severe flooding expected to hit low-lying areas along the River Severn on Wednesday amid record-breaking river levels.

Ironbridge

The flood barriers that were in place at The River Severn at the Wharfage, Ironbridge have been compromised.

Properties in the village are likely to be flooded and those affected are being urged to go to the Tontine Hotel, which has been set up as a rest facility.

Explaining the evacuations in a video posted on Twitter, West Mercia Police Chief Superintendent Tom Harding said officers were visiting residents on the banks of the River Severn to tell them to evacuate.

He said: "Potentially, we've got water that has started to come underneath the flood barriers and in areas it appears that it is buckling.

"We want to be open and transparent with the public and residents here so they make that informed decision to come with us.

"If you can spread the word and pass that on to any family or friends in the area that we need to make sure that they leave."

The Government website reads "Your safety, home and possessions are at risk. Act now."

It is possible that depths of flood water along the Wharfage could reach 1.8 metres.

Albert Darlington, who is 93, lives in Ironbridge and says he won't leave his home until the floods force him to.

Speaking to ITV Albert said "you only panic if you get Niagara Falls and you're under water and you can't do nothing. It would take hours to get up like that. It's got to come under all the doors and around and you've got an hour or so to get out and mess about."

Bewdley

Meanwhile in the Worcestershire town of Bewdley flood defences have also been breached, with the river Severn at its highest level for 20 years.

David Throup from the Environment Agency said: "The river levels are exceptionally high here at Bewdley and they haven't stopped yet. The river is still rising at a much slower rate and we're expecting a peak here probably this afternoon and then that's working its way down the catchment to Worcester."

West Mercia Police have revealed that 38 properties in Beales Corner, Bewdley, have either flooded or are at risk of flooding.

People were evacuated from their homes just before midnight last night (25 February).