Shropshire on brink with flood defences ‘likely’ to be breached by ‘danger to life’ surges

Towns in flood-ravaged Shropshire are on the brink as temporary defences are “likely” to be breached within hours – and residents have been urged to flee.

Thousands of people living along a 100-mile stretch of the swollen River Severn are on high alert amid two severe “danger to life” warnings and predictions of snow and more rain.

Some residents of at-risk homes have decided to stay put despite warnings that it might become too dangerous for fighters to rescue them if the worst happens.

Dozens of homes have already been inundated as the river, which has burst its banks in Shrewsbury and Ironbridge, hit historic levels on Tuesday before a peak of almost seven metres later.

Have you been affected by the flooding? Email webnews@mirror.co.uk.

Firefighters were rescuing residents from their homes during an evacuation in Ironbridge, where so many roads were submerged or blocked it was in danger of becoming completely cut off.

About 12 miles to the north-west, Shrewsbury went into virtual lockdown with rail lines closed, shopping centres and schools shut, and Royal Mail deliveries disrupted.

Residents of a retirement home at Longden Coleham were rescued on Monday night due to rising floodwater.

Severe “danger to life” flood warnings were issued at Shrewsbury and Ironbridge, where residents of at-risk homes were told to leave and not to wait until it was too late.

The river is expected to peak at about 6.9 metres (22.6ft) in Ironbridge and Shrewsbury on Tuesday evening and in other places early Wednesday.

Shaun Davies, leader of Telford and Wrekin Council, told the BBC it looked “like the barriers will be breached at some point over the next 24 hours” at Wharfage in Ironbridge.

He added: “We are already at higher levels than we were last week and we are predicting levels to match the 2000 peaks, which would mean that the water would come over the barriers.”

Dozens of residents were previously advised to leave their homes and take up an offer of hotel accommodation or stay with family and friends.

At 6.25 metres (20.5ft), the River Severn set a new record at Cae Howel, roughly ten miles upstream of Shrewsbury, at 6.30am.

The previous record of 6.17 metres (20.2ft) was set in November 2000.

Schools, colleges, libraries and a Royal Mail delivery office were among the buildings forced to close in Shrewsbury.

The town’s three
 shopping centres closed after the underground car parks flooded.

Some rail lines were due to close in the afternoon.

Network Rail tweeted: “At 2pm, some lines will close due to the rain today.

“Services will run From/To Chester & Crewe from Shrewsbury.

“All other lines in Shrewsbury station will be closed.

“Please check online as train replacements are currently being organised.”

It would be a “once in a generation situation” if the station was forced to close, Network Rail added.

Shrewsbury has been braced for major floods since it emerged that 400 tonnes of water a second were surging through the River Severn.

Mark Davies, who owns Darwin’s Townhouse bed and breakfast, said his flooded for the second time in a week.

He told the BBC: “I spent last week pumping everything out and got that straight on Sunday, flopped down and then found on Monday morning we were back to square one again.

In Ironbridge, 40 people were forced to leave their homes on Monday night, and police warned there was a “strong chance” the temporary flood barriers would be breached.

Sangbags were being distributed to property owners, and a rest centre was set up at the Tontine Hotel for anyone in need.

West Mercia Police Chief Superintendent Tom Harding said: “The levels of the river in Ironbridge are set to rise to unprecedented levels with a strong chance they could
overtop the temporary flood barriers.

“Our absolute priority is the safety of local residents and we would strongly advise those who live in the affected area to evacuate.

“We know people don’t want to leave
 their homes but we are only giving this advice as we believe it is absolutely necessary.

“We are working very closely with our emergency response partners to ensure plans are in place should the water overtop the barrier however at the moment we don’t know what impact that will have but my warning is we may be in a position where we can’t rescue residents who don’t leave their home.”

Dave Throup, of the Environment Agency, said the situation in Shropshire was “getting ridiculous.”

He added: “The UK’s longest river is absolutely heaving.

“From Newtown in Wales to Gloucester the whole length of the Severn is on flood warning.

“There are exceptionally high levels and flows resulting in dangerous conditions in many areas.

“Severe flood impacts are expected on Wednesday.

“We are seeing historic levels and there are significant problems in Shrewsbury.”

Several towns in England and Wales have been ravaged by flooding in the wake of devastating storms Ciara and Dennis this month.

The Environment Agency had issues 106 flood warnings – where flooding is expected – and 156 alerts – where flooding is possible – for England on Tuesday.