FIREFIGHTERS have rescued 45 people from flooded situations over the course of the weekend.

Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service has attended about 250 flood-related incidents since Friday afternoon with most of the rescues being made from flooded properties and cars.

Operators in fire control in Deansway, Worcester, were said to be taking calls every two seconds yesterday afternoon and early evening.

Fire service spokesman Alec Mackie said most of the incidents attended yesterday were in north Worcestershire in and around the Belbroughton area.

Mr Mackie said in that village a cottage collapsed under subsidence caused by flood water, but added everybody had been accounted for.

Mr Mackie said firefighters are currently assisting residents in Wolverley, near Kidderminster, following flash floods.

Mr Mackie said although the fire service was coping under pressure, people should think before they dial for help.

“Our main problem was dealing with people ringing up on their mobile phones stuck in cars in floods,” he said. “One person called saying he was trapped in his car near Droitwich. This was at the same time we were dealing with a potentially life-threatening situation in Belbroughton and this person had driven into flooded water and then expected us to get them and their vehicle out.

“The operator asked whether they could get themselves out of the car and they said, and I quote, ‘Yes I can but I shall get wet’.

“We do what we can but when we have got all sorts of stuff coming in we have to assess it.

“Our fire control operators are very experienced with these sorts of incidents and they can tell whether a person’s life is in danger or not.”

Mr Mackie said motorists should think before they get in their cars and drive.

“People in broad daylight drive into flooded water not knowing how deep it is and what is lying beneath the surface,” he said. “It’s crazy. Why do they do it?”

Click here for the Environment Agency's latest flood warnings for the Midlands.
Click here for the latest weather forecast.
Click here for the latest travel news.

  • View our picture gallery of the latest floods here.
  • Do you have any pictures or video? Email yournews@worcesternews. co.uk or text them to 80360, starting your message WN NEWS followed by a space them your name.