Weather forecast and traffic - latest (From Evesham Journal)

Flood alerts are in place and roads closed after heavy rain

10:04am Monday 24th September 2012 in News By Richard Vernalls, @rvernallsWN #worcsnews

• Note: This article is dated Monday, September 24  

UPDATE 12.22PM

A HOST of roads have been closed as nearly a month's worth of rainfall fell overnight.

Worcestershire has had about two inches of rain since yesterday, as a large low pressure system moves across the UK, with another inch predcited to have fallen by this afternoon.

Several roads are closed, including:

• A443 Great Witley
• B4219 at Storridge
• A451 Dick Brook
• Stocks Lane at Leigh Sinton
• Sherridge Road at Malvern
• Madresfield Road (junction with Chance Lane) at Madresfield
• Hope Lane at Clifton
• Lower Howsell Road at Leigh Sinton
• Martley Road at Laugherne Brook, near Hope House Farm

 

Several more roads are passable, although drivers are urged to use caution:

• A44 at Broadwas and Cotheridge
• A4103 at Storridge

UPDATE 11.56AM

LAUGHERNE Brook at Martley has over-topped the main B4204 road.

At least two cars were reported flooded after their drivers tried to make a crossing.

One driver who called the Worcester News said there was "about 2ft" of water on the road near Hope House Farm.

"It's the main road out of Martley, so it's cut things off - I've had to turn around," he said.

"Any drivers thinking of going through the water, I would advise them not to, as it's deep."

UPDATE 11.11AM

ROADS have been shut by the weather and drivers are urged to use caution after the county was inundated with rain. 

The A443 at Great Witley is closed due to flooding, as is the B4219 at Storridge near Malvern.

With rain continuing to fall, drivers are being urged to use caution and better judgement.

The A4103 at Storridge, the A44 both at Cotheridge and Broadwas near Worcester, just passable due to flooding.

Meanwhile, North End Lane in Malvern is reported blocked due to a fallen tree.

ALMOST a month of rainfall has fallen in the last 24 hours with clouds not due to clear until the afternoon.

About two inches of rain has fallen, with another inch expected between now and 1pm when the low pressure weather system is expected to move out of Worcestershire.

The intensity of the rainfall has put the Environment Agency on alert, with their teams out monitoring and clearing watercourses, where necessary.

David Throup the agency's manager for Herefordshire and Worcestershire, said the next few hours will be critical.

"All our teams have been out there, clearing gullies and ditches and making sure that any potential bottlenecks have been removed," he said.

"There has been a lot of surface run off coming through the roads and fields.

"Now, that water has moved into the brooks which have risen quickly, and which are expected to peak this evening.

"Bigger watercourses and rivers like the Severn may take a few days to peak.

"We are keeping a close eye on the river Teme, as they've had a lot of rain further up in the river's catchment area."

There are currently flood alerts on the Barbourne Brook, in Worcester, and the Lower Teme - with residents in those areas asked to stay vigilant, if the worst should happen.

 

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