Storm Babet Live: Major food festival cancelled

A man has died in a flood in Shropshire as the death toll of Storm Babet rises to three.

West Mercia Police confirmed that a man in his 60s was killed after getting caught in flash-flooding. The flood occurred when a brook breached a road in Cleobury Mortimer on Friday morning (20 October). Police said that members of the public reported that a man had gone under water around 10.40am.

A search ensued however, he was found dead at around 12.35pm. His body has not been formally identified but his family has been informed

Severn Trent has offered its own advice in the wake of the flooding plaguing the region. The water company’s head of waste network operations, Steve Betteridge, said: “We know how distressing any kind of flooding can be, if it’s rainwater the flooding should subside when it stops raining, although it can take up to four hours for water to drain away.

“In some cases extreme weather can overwhelm the waste network and cause flooding. If there is sewage escaping from a manhole cover in the garden or outside your home, this is an absolute priority for us to help you, so please call us on 0800 783 4444 and we’ll get a team out to help as quickly as possible.

“If you’re concerned about flooding from drains and gullies in the road, you should call your local council as they are responsible for road drainage, but again, we generally find that the flooding will go away when it stops raining. If the flooding is coming from a river or stream, get in touch with the Environment Agency who will be best placed to help.”

The Environment Agency’s Floodline number is 0345 988 1188.

Due to flooding, there are no services running between the above locations. Ticket acceptance is in place with @nxwestmidlands and replacement road transport is operating, according to Transport for West Midlands.

Alcester Food Festival, which was due to take place tomorrow (October 21) has been cancelled.

Due to flooding between Birmingham New Street and Cheltenham Spa all lines are blocked.

South Birmingham areas like Stirchley, Selly Oak and Bournville were expected to face flooding today (October 20).

People have shared videos of the powerful flow at River Rea today.

A driver of a car washed 30 metres downstream after trying to drive through flood water has been led to safety by firefighters.

West Midlands Fire Service were called just after 8.30am on Friday (20 October) to The Mill Walk in Northfield, Birmingham.

Crews from Bournbrook and Perry Barr fire stations and the Technical Rescue Unit responded.

The driver, a man believed to be in his early 40s, had attempted to pass through a fast-flowing ford.

His vehicle was rapidly pushed downstream, before getting stuck. The man climbed to safety on the roof of his vehicle, before using a tree branch to make his way to the embankment.

From there, he was led to safety by our crews an hour after the initial 999 calls. The man was not injured. At no stage during the incident did he or the crews enter the water.

Severe disruption has continued between Birmingham and Hereford.

Videos of flooding in Bournville Park were circulated online with residents showing the scenes from the area.