Severn River May Break Record Set in 2000 As Flood Barriers Collapse

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A rainbow appears over flooded fields in the Wye Valley, near the hamlet of Wellesley, in Hereford, England following Storm Dennis on 17 February 2020. Storm Dennis is the second named storm to bring extreme weather in a week, following Storm Ciara. Photo: Christopher Furlong / Getty Images

An “immediate evacuation” has been ordered in a town in Shropshire after rising water levels from the River Severn breached flood barriers. West Mercia Police said it is “currently carrying out an immediate evacuation in Ironbridge due to the temporary barriers becoming overwhelmed”.

Chief Superintendent Tom Harding said the evacuation affected premises on the Wharfage in Ironbridge because water from the River Severn was breaching flood barriers “and in areas it appears it is buckling”.


An aerial view shows the extent of flooding in Bewdley in Worcestershire, England on 26 February 2020. Photo: Imagebridge

Councillor Shaun Davies, leader of Telford and Wrekin Council, said the flood barriers were “shunting backwards quite significantly”. He warned: “Please do not come to Ironbridge. The situation is developing.”

It comes after temporary flood defences in Bewdley in Worcestershire were breached on Tuesday night – with homes being evacuated over fears that the River Severn will not reach its peak until tonight. The Environment Agency said the river at Bewdley is expected to reach between 5.4m and 5.6m, potentially surpassing the highest recorded level of 5.56m that was seen in November 2000


The Boat Inn in Jackfield near Ironbridge, Shropshire, England is flooded on 26 February 2020. Photo: PA

EDIT

https://desdemonadespair.net/2020/02/immediate-evacuation-ordered-in-english-town-as-flood-barriers-overwhelmed-river-severn-may-surpass-record-level-set-in-november-2000.html