Flash flooding caused major travel issues in Herefordshire yesterday, with some motorists forced to abandon their cars due to getting stuck in floodwater.
Heavy rain spread across Herefordshire with over two inches (50.6mm) falling at Ross-on-Wye, making it the wettest place in the United Kingdom. Several flood alerts were issued on the River Wye, River Lugg, River Frome, River Arrow, River Leadon and River Teme.
This was the scene just a few miles from Ross-on-Wye, in the Gloucestershire town of Newent, where flash flooding caused several businesses and properties in the town to flood.
Things were just as bad further north in Hereford, with Lower Bullingham Lane blocked by floodwater.
Police were forced to close some routes, with the A465 at Wormbridge being one of them. In some places, drivers reported the floodwater being extremely deep with even 4×4 vehicles unable to make it through the rising waters.
Motorists were forced to abandon vehicles near The Walwyn Arms in Much Marcle after flooding forced police to close the A449.
It was a similar scene further north in the county, with Canon Pyon badly affected. The main road through the village was blocked for several hours by deep floodwater.
A number of flood alerts remain in force this morning on the following rivers: (Information from the Environment Agency)
FLOOD WARNING – RIVER FROME: River levels are forecast to rise at the Bishops Frome river gauge as a result of heavy rainfall. Consequently, flooding (of property) is imminent. We expect flooding to affect properties off the A4103 may start to be impacted by flooding. We expect river levels to rise until 04:00 on 24/12/20. We are closely monitoring the situation. Please avoid contact with flood water and plan driving routes to avoid low lying roads near rivers, which may be flooded.
FLOOD ALERT – RIVER ARROW: River levels remain high at the Titley Mill river gauge as a result of persistent rainfall. Consequently, the risk of flooding remains. We expect flooding to affect low lying land and roads along the River Arrow from Michaelchurch to Brierley. Other areas that may be affected include Kington, Staunton and Eardisland. Further rainfall is forecast over the next 36 hours. We expect river levels to remain high into the weekend. We are closely monitoring the situation. Please avoid using low lying footpaths near local watercourses and plan driving routes to avoid low lying roads near rivers, which may be flooded.Â
FLOOD ALERT – RIVER LEADON CATCHMENT: River levels are rising at the Wedderburn Bridge river gauge as a result of recent rainfall. Consequently, flooding of roads and farmland is expected to continue. Flooding may affect low lying land and roads adjacent to the River Leadon. Locations that may be affected include Ledbury, Much Marcle, Staunton and Tibberton. Water may be out of bank and over the road at Upleadon Court. Further rainfall is forecast tonight, 23/12/20. We expect river levels to respond accordingly. We are closely monitoring the situation. Please avoid using low lying footpaths near local watercourses and plan driving routes to avoid low lying roads near rivers, which may be flooded.
FLOOD ALERT – RIVER LUGG NORTH OF LEOMINSTER: River levels remain high at the Butts Bridge river gauge as a result of persistent rainfall. Consequently, the risk of flooding remains. We expect flooding to affect low lying land and roads adjacent to the River Lugg north of Leominster. Locations that may be affected include Yarpole, Mortimers Cross, Kingsland and the B4362. Further rainfall is forecast over the next 36 hours which may cause river levels to rise again. We expect river levels to remain high into the weekend. We are closely monitoring the situation. Please avoid using low lying footpaths near local watercourses and plan driving routes to avoid low lying roads near rivers, which may be flooded.
FLOOD ALERT – RIVER LUGG SOUTH OF LEOMINSTER: River levels remain high but steady at the Lugwardine river gauge following persistent rainfall. River levels at Ford Bridge remain high but are beginning to fall slowly. Consequently, flooding of roads and farmland is expected to continue. We expect flooding to affect low lying land and roads adjacent to the River Lugg south of Leominster from Stoke Prior to Mordiford. Other locations that may be affected include Bodenham, Lugwardine and Hampton Bishop. Further heavy rainfall is forecast over the next 36 hours. We expect river levels to remain high into the weekend. We are closely monitoring the situation. Please plan driving routes to avoid low lying roads near rivers, which may be flooded.
FLOOD ALERT – RIVER WYE IN HEREFORDSHIRE: Due to less rain falling in Mid Wales than predicted, levels on the Wye are expected to cause no major issues.
FLOOD ALERT – UPPER TEME: River levels are high but steady at the Leintwardine and Onibury river gauges as a result of recent heavy rainfall. Flooding of roads & farmland is expected to continue. We expect flooding to affect low lying land and roads adjacent to the River Teme, River Onny & River Corve & their tributaries. Locations that may be affected include Bishops Castle, Church Stretton, Knighton & Ludlow. Further heavy rainfall is forecast over the next 36 hours. We expect river levels to remain high into the weekend. We are closely monitoring the situation. Please plan driving routes to avoid low lying roads near rivers, which may be flooded.Â
