Parts of Wales already devastated by the worst floods in a generation are preparing for further heavy rain over the next 48 hours, as more than 450 flood warnings and alerts remain in place across the UK. The Met Office has forecast heavy rain in north and south Wales from Wednesday evening, hampering the clean-up operation launched after Storm Dennis.
Alex Davies-Jones, the Labour MP for Pontypridd, said communities were refilling sandbags and repairing flood defences in anticipation of Storm Ellen. 'Homes have been completely destroyed, even those with flood gates,' she said, adding that 600 people had been forced to evacuate and more than 1,000 properties were badly damaged.
Nine severe flood warnings – meaning a danger to life – remained in England (seven) and Wales (two) on Tuesday morning. Six people are thought to have died in the flooding, the latest being Yvonne Booth, 55, from Birmingham, who was swept into flood water near Tenbury Wells in Worcestershire on Sunday.
Residents of Uckinghall and Upton upon Severn in Worcestershire were advised to evacuate on Monday night as river levels rose. Towns including Shrewsbury, Bewdley and Tewkesbury remain the government's greatest concern after the River Severn burst its banks. 'Our absolute priority is keeping people safe,' said Ch Supt Tom Harding of West Mercia police.
The Environment Agency warned of more torrential rain in northern England later this week. David Throup, the agency's West Midlands environment manager, described water levels in Hereford as 'truly exceptional', adding: 'They are the highest levels we've ever recorded on the River Wye, and those records go back 200 years.'
