A number of flood warnings and alerts remain in force across Herefordshire, but the overall picture is improving, with levels on most rivers now having peaked.
The River Wye has peaked in Hereford, with levels now rapidly falling. Flooding still remains on Holme Lacy Road, with motorists still advised to use the Rotherwas Relief Road to access Skylon Park and the Rotherwas Industrial Estate. Flooding is also still a problem on the A438 at Letton, but we expect this to improve as the day goes on with levels now falling fast at Bredwardine and Hay-on-Wye.
A small number of properties in Hereford have been affected by flooding, with levels on the Wye reaching 5.4 metres, which was slightly higher than the levels predicted by the Environment Agency.
The latest update on the situation on the Wye in Herefordshire says:
River levels remain high at the Hay on Wye, Bredwardine, Belmont, Old Wye Bridge, Mordiford & Ross on Wye river gauges as a result of heavy rainfall. We expect flooding to affect low lying land & roads along the River Wye from Hay on Wye to Ross on Wye. Other locations that may be affected include the main A438 between Letton & Willersey, Byford, Bredwardine, Hereford, the North River bank footpath Hereford & King Georges playing fields. Wilton lane may flood up to the Fishermans Reach junction, Ross. Peaks:- Hay on Wye peaked at 4.6m Monday 21/02/22, Bredwardine peaked at 6.55m Monday morning 21/02/22 & Belmont at 6.08m Monday afternoon 21/02/22 Predicted peaks:- Old Wye Bridge is peaking now between 5.2m to 5.4m, Tuesday morning, 22/02/2022, Mordiford 5.1m to 5.2m & Ross on Wye 4.1m to 4.3m on Tuesday morning 22/02/22. Further rainfall is forecast over the next 24 hours. We expect river levels to remain high until Wednesday 23/02/22. We are monitoring the situation. Avoid contact with flood water. This message will be updated by 4pm, 22/02/22, or as the situation changes.
The following statement was issued on the Herefordshire Council website on Monday evening:
Statement regarding the assessment of the on-going impact of storms Eunice and Franklin across the county.
Herefordshire’s Tactical Co-ordination Group (TCG), the multi-agency group who respond to local incidents, continue to assess the on-going impact of storms Eunice and Franklin across the county.
Superintendent Edd Williams, Chair of the TCG said:
“Flood alerts have been issued at many locations across Herefordshire throughout today. Herefordshire has seen river levels peak in some of its rivers, but we have yet to see the peak in Hereford at Belmont and Hereford Bridge, along with Mordiford and Ross-on-Wye. Tonight we have closed the Old Bridge in Hereford to traffic and pedestrians as we face rising river levels, which are expected to peak at around 5.4m overnight tonight.
From tomorrow (Tuesday) the weather is set to improve, with rain ceasing and wind speeds falling. As flooding subsides, it will take time to check the closed routes for damage and for flood debris to be cleared. Please do not drive through flood water and please observe ‘road closed’ signs. To report a flooded road, call the Highways Team on 01432 261800.
We continue to monitor the river levels to take any action required and would ask all residents to take care when travelling and around flood water. Our emergency response teams are also on standby to support colleagues and the public in surrounding counties- in Worcestershire where a major incident has been declared and in Shropshire, which is experiencing significant flooding.”
More information and advice can be found on our website.
