MORE rain is forecast and flood warnings are in place in Worcestershire as Storm Imogen continues to batter the county. 

River levels have been rising throughout Worcestershire, and the Environment Agency has issued flood warnings on the Rivern Severn and the River Avon in Evesham. 

The latest river levels have been released. At the Evesham Gauge the level is at 2.94 metres, while the level at Haw Bridge Gauge is at 4.88 metres, and Mythe Gauge it is at 4 metres and rising. 

The forecast for today is for showery rain, heavy at times, which will continue until around 5pm. 

Strong to gale force winds will also continue to sweep through Worcestershire, although it expected winds will gradually ease this evening.

Over the weekend the Worcester News reported on firefighters being called out to rescue three people trapped in floods in Droitwich, and another woman was rescued from a car in floods at Wadborough.

A number of roads were also closed, including the A44 near Evesham and Cotheridge near Worcester. 

Motorists were told not to try crossing the ford at Walcot Lane, near Pershore, after reports one motorist ignored closed road signs, and attempted to cross. 

Riverside, Evesham, has now reopened, but is being monitored with the Environment Agency warning it could be closed again if river levels continue to rise.

 

• Severn Trent Water has said it is installing pumps in Worcester and in Upton upon Severn as there are concerns about possibile flooding. 

Two pumps have been fitted in Hylton Road, Worcester, and another in Upton upon Severn as a precaution after the River Severn rose more than two metres in 24 hours.

Another three pumps are on standby, two for Hylton Road and one for Upton, if the river continues to rise.

Simon Carey, senior network technician for Severn Trent, said: “Once it became clear that the Severn was rising so quickly we moved quickly to get the pumps in place.

“Given the weather forecast, it’s clear that they’re going to be there for some time so we’d like to apologise for any inconvenience but they’re obviously doing a vital job in keeping people safe.”

This is the third deployment at Hylton Road and Upton this winter, with the pumps last being put out over the Christmas Bank Holiday.