AS the county braces itself for more rain and floodwater continues to rise across Worcestershire, many families are facing devastation for the second time in just months.
Hundreds of Worcestershire families are still living in caravans or temporary accommodation since floodwater devastated their homes in July.
With more bad weather predicted, the Environment Agency has warned that river levels are yet to peak, urging people to be vigilant and move valuables upstairs and vehicles on to higher ground.
But for some they can only watch as the water once again laps towards their newly-decorated homes.
The Thomas family in Upton-upon-Severn are battling to keep floodwater away from the house they only recently moved back into after spending five months in a caravan following last year's floods.
Rowan Thomas has been hammering railway sleepers into the ground along the edge of his property and a series of pumps are pumping 2,000 litres of water a minute away from their home.
In July, flood water was waist high in the downstairs of their home.
They were forced to live in a caravan while works were carried out on the property, and finally moved back in two days before Christmas.
"It has been a challenge," said 48-year-old Mr Thomas, of Causeway Lane. "I have known this house since I was four-years-old, and when I was able to buy it I jumped at the chance, even though I know it floods.
"But I was not quite prepared for this one, another month and I would have been a bit more prepared.
"The important thing is to keep the water away from the house, especially since we have just spent five months living in a caravan."
Mr Thomas's two daughters, 19-year-old Megan and 25-year-old Gemma, have taken time off work to help their parents. "It is a way of life," said Gemma.
"It is just something you learn to live with and we have always accepted it living in a place like Upton. We keep them plied with bacon butties and cups of tea and then get stuck into the clean-up afterwards.
"Hopefully this time we will keep the water out with Dad's flood barrier skills."
Malvern Hills District Council says 136 households are still deemed to be displaced after the summer floods. The top of the league is Upton-upon-Severn, where 23 properties are displaced.
Tenbury Wells, Powick, Kempsey and Ripple are also badly affected.
In Wychavon, 350 households were living in caravans before Christmas as a result of the July flooding. The figure is now 40 households.
There are still three flood warnings in Worcestershire: The river Severn between Worcester and Tewkesbury; the river Severn between Bevere and Powick, and the river Avon between Evesham and upstream of Tewkesbury.
A spokeswoman for the environment agency said: "We are expecting rain and worse weather, so we are expecting to see river levels rise. People do need to remain vigilant.
"People should never try to walk or drive through any flood water as it can be dangerous."
The river Severn at Bewdley, where flood barriers were erected yesterday, is due to peak this afternoon.
In Worcester the river level remains steady, but with more rain on the way the environment agency are expecting it to rise.
Yesterday the met office issued a severe weather warning across Wales, but not for the West Midlands. Light rain is forecast for today with heavy rain expected at the weekend.
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