Bewdley and Stourport braced for expected flooding as river levels continue to rise
A flood warning has been issued for Bewdley and Stourport as Storm Gerrit continues to batter parts of the UK.
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Heavy rainfall has seen the River Severn levels rise and many roads have already been closed in the town in anticipation of more today.
Bewdley has suffered significant flooding in recent years with many homes and businesses affected in 2020, 2021 and 2022.
It has prompted the Environment Agency to look at ways of protecting residents' homes and businesses with a Property Level Solution (PLP) favoured.
The PLP sees individual properties at risk receive defences specific to them in order to protect the property in the event of a flood.
Temporary flood barriers are in place in many places in Bewdley but not at the notorious Beales Corner flooding spot, where construction is under way on permanent flood defences, meaning temporary ones cannot be installed there.
The Environment Agency has issued the follow warning.
It said: "River levels are rising at the Bewdley river gauge as a result of heavy rainfall.
"Consequently, flooding of property roads and farmland is expected today.
" We expect flooding to affect low lying land and roads adjacent the river from Highley to Tewkesbury.
"Locations affected are Stourport, Holt Fleet, Worcester, Kempsey, Severn Stoke and Upton upon Severn, B4195 Stourport Road at Rickets Place, Dog Lane Bewdley, Riverside Path Stourport and B4194 at Ribsford. "
It said a predicted peak in Bewdley is from 4.0 to 4.3 metres on Saturday.
Despite the gloomy outlook, businesses in the town said they would be opening as normal and many had temporary flood barriers in place to help them cope with expected downpour.
Hossey Saghri from the Mug House Inn and Restaurant said it was 'business as usual' despite cancelling bookings during Storm Babet in October.
He said: "We have the temporary barriers ready to put in place but it has been a good Christmas and we intend to get as many people in as we can whether that is in the rooms or for meals and a drink.
"People in Bewdley are getting used to i tnow and finding ways to deal with it with the help of the government – at some point you just have to say enough is enough and carry on."
