THESE photos show the extent of flooding in Worcestershire caused by Storm Bert as river levels peak but some flood-prone residents have had a lucky escape this time.
Residents in Diglis Avenue in Worcester prepared for flooding levels that never came, getting pumps and personal flood defences ready - although the Met Office says more rain is on the way.
Meanwhile, the Toronto Close flood gate was closed, protecting residents in Lower Wick in Worcester. However, the water was well short of the barrier on Tuesday after the £2.5 million defences to protect homes were unveiled in September.
Flood warnings were still in place on the River Severn at South Worcester; North Worcester; Pitchcroft; Hawford Wood and Bevere; Hanley Road in Upton; Clifton and Severn Stoke; Court Meadow, Kempsey and Callow End; Dunns Lane, Upton; East Waterside, Upton.
Several flood warnings, put in place by the Environment Agency, also remain in force on the River Avon at Evesham, Strensham and Bredon and Wyre Piddle.
Flood water from the River Teme, flowing close by residents in Toronto Close, had submerged Powick Old Bridge where preparations for repairs by Worcestershire County Council are underway following the partial collapse of a wingwall at the medieval structure at the end of January.
While flood warnings and emergency road closures remain in place, the flooding chaos seemed to be subsiding as waters began to recede slowly.
Worcestershire County Council confirmed on Tuesday that Powick Roundabout, which connects Malvern Road and the A4440, opened in both directions after flooding caused a partial closure.
Houses in Diglis Avenue face onto the River Severn in Worcester and heavy rain has left the towpath next to their homes submerged as the river peaked.
But the water did not get inside their homes as it did earlier in the year and many prepared for a flooding event that did not occur.
One resident, who did not wish to be named, said: "Most people have some form of barriers. The flooding has come earlier this year. Normally it's January or February when we get hit.
"We did spend some money raising our floors but we appreciate not everyone can do that - and there's a significant cost to that. What they do upstream squeezes the river, pushing the problem down to us."
Another resident said the alerts at the Diglis gauge suggested that the river could rise to five metres which would mean flood water would be in the house.
The water was receding and he said he had 'just put the pumps away'.
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Ian Harris was flooded in January at his address in Diglis Avenue but escaped this time.
He said: "We prepped for it but it didn't happen."
But he added: "It will come. We are used to it here."
The Diglis House Hotel was open for business as usual and staff there said the flooding had not affected trade.
Roads continue to be closed across the county including Hanley Road in Upton, Eckington Road, Mill Lane in Hanley Castle, Brook View in Cropthorne, New Mill Bridge in Shelsley Beauchamp, Knightsford Bridge in Knightwick and the road between Abberley and Newnham Bridge.
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