A COUPLE caught out by rapidly-rising floodwater had to be taken to safety by firefighters in the brigade's river rescue boat after becoming stranded in their home.

David Melling and his wife were taken to safety by three members of the city's Red Watch who used the high-speed launch to reach the couple at Camp Cottage, Bevere.

Alec Mackie, of Hereford and Worcester Fire Brigade, said the couple raised the alarm at 11.35am yesterday after realising water was entering their riverside home and had left them marooned.

Firefighters training with the rescue boat on the River Severn, were at the scene very quickly.

"The boat was already on floodwater in the area and they were able to make their way to the couple immediately," said Mr Mackie.

"The couple were picked up carrying a few belongings and wearing waders, and were taken to safety."

Lyn Wainwright, of the Camp Hotel at Grimley - on the opposite side of the river - said the water was rising so fast it would be easy to be caught out.

"I couldn't believe how quickly the water has risen. It's is quite amazing how fast it has come up," she said.

"For the amount of rain we have had here you would not expect it to be as bad as this, but North Wales has had so much more than us and that makes its way down here.

"I feel very sorry for them. It's probable they didn't realise how rapidly the river was rising.

''It would be easy to be caught out considering the speed at which the floods are spreading.''

Evening News weather man Paul Damari said the flooding was rising so quickly because water coming down from the north was being backing up by rising sea levels in the south.

"Atlantic weather storms this time of year can create surges which increase the sea levels by a couple of metres," he said.

"Coupled with high tides, this can hold back the river flow in local areas, which means that water is not escaping so rapidly, creating the present situation.

"And there is a high risk of rain during the end of the week, so the situation we are suffering now could still get worse."