Fresh flash flooding warning for Wyre Forest motorists (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

Fresh flash flooding warning for Wyre Forest motorists

5:58pm Saturday 14th July 2012 in Local By William Tomaney

WYRE Forest and Cleobury Mortimer motorists are being advised to take care after today’s heavy rain caused flash flooding across North Worcestershire.

With the rain falling on already saturated ground, there remains a risk of flooding from rivers and surface water flooding where rain overwhelms drainage systems.

Problems have also been experienced in parts of Shropshire including Cleobury Mortimer.

Sections of the A443 and A456 are closed past Rock, near to Newnham Bridge due to floodwater.

A number of motorists have had to be rescued from their vehicles by the fire and rescue services after entering floodwater.

Police are advising all motorists to consider if their journey is essential and, if it must be made, to take extra care in adverse weather conditions.

In particular, they should not enter stretches of floodwater, nor ignore road closed signs.

If driving through larger puddles or smaller areas of standing water, drive slowly and steadily, allow oncoming traffic to pass and always test your brakes after leaving the water.

Visibility can also be seriously reduced in heavy rain so headlights must be used, together with allowing a bigger gap between you and the car in front to allow for the increased stopping distance.

Police are advising road users to allow extra time to complete your journey.

It is the second evening in a row police have issued a flood warning to motorists.

In the early hours of this morning two people became trapped in a house in Bewdley and a number of residents were evacuated from homes in Cleobury Mortimer.