HEAVY rain caused flooding chaos across Worcestershire from road closures to cars stranded in submerged car parks and shock landslides with river levels still rising.
Flooding closed several major roads across Worcestershire, with parts of Evesham particularly badly affected, after torrential downpours caused flash flooding and swollen rivers.
Pitchcroft car park in Worcester has been closed as a precaution because of rising flood water with drivers urged to move their cars immediately and to use other city car parks in the meantime.
If you're parked in Pitchcroft car park, please return to your vehicle immediately and move it - the #flood water is now rising rapidly.
— Worcester City Council (@myworcester) February 9, 2024
Please head to St Martin's Gate multi-storey or find another car park at https://t.co/6pwIIlDAb3#Worcester #floodaware pic.twitter.com/mfsdNNzOtk
Meanwhile, a landslide forced a wall to collapse in Reservoir Lane in Worcester at 7.50am on Friday, forcing the emergency services to close a section of Rainbow Hill.
Flood warnings are in force on the River Severn at Pitchcroft, South Worcester, Kempsey and Callow End and Hanley Road in Upton upon Severn. A flood warning is also in force on the River Avon at Evesham.
According to data supplied by the Environment Agency, the Severn is still rising with flooding anticipated to affect properties and roads around Pitchcroft with a predicted peak of 4.4 metres to 4.9 metres on Sunday evening.
A spokesperson for Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service said a water first responders crew from Malvern Fire Station was called at 12.13am on Friday to the rescue of a small animal from water in Bransford Road, Rushwick.
A fire service spokesperson said: "The crew assisted an owner in moving four sheep from a flooded area to a place of safety. There were no casualties and no other emergency services attended. The incident was marked as pending closure at 1.27am."
The following roads were closed by noon on Friday because of flooding: Waterside, Evesham; Jubilee Bridge, Fladbury; Brook Lane in Cropthorne; Besford Bridge; Eckington Bridge; A443 Lindridge; B4197 Knightwick; Bransford Court Lane.
RECOMMENDED READING: Landslide closes Rainbow Hill, Worcester- live updates
RECOMMENDED READING: Flood warnings and road closures as river levels rise
Briar Mill in Droitwich was also closed due to flooding with road and pavements described by Worcestershire County Council Highways as 'impassable'.
Lindridge St Lawrence's CE Primary School in Tenbury was also closed due to 'severe weather' (floods) while Droitwich Spa High School and Sixth Form Centre was closed to Year 8 and Year 9 students only due to the weather.
Visitors to the National Trust's Croome Court were warned the site is closed because of flooding on nearby roads. The site will close for good at 3pm.
A spokesperson said: "Due to local flooding in the surrounding road network we will be closing early today, to ensure all staff and volunteers can get home safely.
"The café will close at 2.30pm and the rest of the site at 3pm."
There was also disruption in the wider region with the A40 in Herefordshire closed in both directions between the A466 (Monmouth) and A49 (Wilton) due to a landslide that has encroached into the carriageway.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here