SEVEN flood alerts remain in place for Herefordshire today after Storm Bella hit the county... and now there's a warning of snow and ice!
The flood alerts are for:
- Lower Teme
- River Arrow
- River Frome
- River Leadon catchment
- River Lugg north of Leominster
- River Lugg south of Leominster
- River Wye in Herefordshire
A flood alert is issued by the Environment Agency and means flooding is expected and people should be prepared.
RELATED NEWS:
The Met Office had issued a warning for heavy rain and wind in Herefordshire for Boxing Day evening.
But the county awoke to relative calm and bright sunshine this morning (Sunday).
There are no reports as yet of serious damage of disruption, but one woman said her husband had to sleep in his van after being trapped by floodwater near Malvern.
Husband was stranded and all ways back to Malvern were blocked. Ended up sleeping in his van. He took this photo of the brook while trying to get home. pic.twitter.com/Z2f8u20Qej
— Worcestershire Mums (@worcestermums) December 27, 2020
Dave Throup, the Environment Agency's manager for Herefordshire and Worcestershire, said the effects of Storm Bella were being reviewed. Widespread river rises were expected but there were "no major impacts at this stage".
Neighbouring Worcestershire has been hit worse by the storm.
Flooding across the county is expected to continue throughout the day and into Tuesday in some areas.
There are 16 flood warnings where “action is required” – many of which affect Worcester.
A number of roads there are closed. Here's the list.
Elsewhere in the UK, heavy rain already brought misery over Christmas period, with two severe flood warnings indicating a potential threat to life still in place at Cogenhoe Mill caravan site near Northampton and on the River Nene near Billing Aquadrome today (Sunday).
A further 88 flood warnings have been issued in England, six in Wales and 12 in Scotland.
Despite the bad conditions, gales meant that for the first time ever, more than half of Britain’s electricity was generated by wind power on Saturday.
Quite a complicated flood picture as water from #StormBella works it’s way through already full rivers.
— Dave Throup (@DaveThroupEA) December 27, 2020
Levels are generally rising on the #herefordshire Wye having peaked now at Hay.
On the Severn levels generally rising upstream of Ironbridge, stable & very high downstream. pic.twitter.com/fzUjDUmlu5
The Met Office has now issued a snow and ice warning for Monday in Herefordshire.
It says:
- Rain may turn to snow, which along with widespread ice, may mean some disruption to travel.
- Some roads and railways likely to be affected with longer journey times by road, bus and train services.
- People shoud be wary of slipping and falling on icy surfaces
- There will probably be some icy patches on some untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths
Priority roads in Herefordshire are being gritted by 10pm tonight.
The warning is active from midnight until 6pm on Monday.
⚠️ Yellow Snow & Ice Warnings issued ⚠️
— Met Office (@metoffice) December 27, 2020
An area of rain, sleet and snow will move south on Sunday and Monday, bringing snow to lower levels at times. This will also bring a risk of ice ❄️
Latest info 👉 https://t.co/QwDLMfRBfs
Stay #WeatherAware pic.twitter.com/FJ5768bQuH
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