Warning of more wet weather on the way

Jun 28 2007 By Gary Marks, Birmingham Mail

MIDLAND towns and villages have been warned to prepare for more heavy rain over the weekend, which could cause rivers to rise again.

The Environment Agency issued the warning as residents in Worcester complained homes and businesses had been hit because flood barriers had not been erected.

Several roads across Worcester-shire closed due to flooding on Tuesday night will remain shut until further notice. These include the A449 at Powick, A44 at Knightwick, A4103 at Brands-ford, B4211 at Upton-upon-Severn, and Hylton Road, Worcester.

West Mercia Police and the Highways Agency also urged motorists not to drive "unless essential".

Five flood warnings have been placed on Midland rivers - the Penk, Teme, and three on the River Severn - plus 11 flood watches in Shropshire, Stafford-shire and Worcestershire.

Weather forecasters predict another band of heavy showers will hit the Midlands on Saturday, with persistent rain and

thundery showers expected on Sunday.

Stephen Davenport, forecaster with MeteoGroup, said: "There will be some showers around the region today but overall it will be mainly dry, and there'll be a similar pattern across the Midlands tomorrow too, but the showers will be heavier.

"The bulk of the wet weather will come in around Saturday afternoon and will persist well into the evening, with temperatures hitting a below par 15ºC (59ºF).

"Sunday will be wet for most of the day and into the night, and it is possible more than two inches of rain will fall in the Midlands during that 48-hour period. Next week it will remain unsettled."

So far there have been four confirmed deaths caused by this week's exceptional rainfall.

On Monday, Michael Barnett, aged 28, died when his foot became trapped in a swollen drain in Hessle, near Hull.

In Sheffield the same day Ryan Parry, aged 14, was killed as he walked home from school, and Peter Harding, aged 68, was overcome by the rising waters, possibly as he abandoned his car.

In Pershore, county court judge Eric Dickinson died when his car was swept away by floods.