Anguish as flash floods return
Yet another huge clean-up operation was under way today across the West Midlands after flash floods returned to hit homes, businesses and cars.
Among the worst hit was Staffordshire where 25 homes were left under two feet of water.
Distraught families and fire crews from across the county were frantically bailing out homes last night – with the cost of damage predicted to run into thousands. Heavy rainfall caused water to run off nearby fields straight through the homes, in New Street and Prince Albert Terrace in Norton Bridge.
Crew commander Chris Berry of Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "The water had built up on fields near the homes throughout the day then flooded through the houses like a stream.
"We were called out at about 7.30pm last night and the Stafford crew were on scene until about midnight.
"Some of the residents have moved out to relatives' homes, although some have stayed on.
"This has happened here before, so some residents were prepared and had moved furniture upstairs where it was safe from the floodwaters."
At Trescott near Wolverhampton, a car had to be abandoned when it got stuck in the village's notorious ford.
The water levels were almost double their usual levels in Furness Grange Road.
Police were called to help the driver from his submerged vehicle but were forced to leave it behind in the fierce conditions.
In Stafford, a car hire business is searching for new premises after its offices were flooded for the fifth time in four years.
This week's heavy downpours caused Enterprise Rent-a-car premises in Silkmore Lane to be surrounded by water up to 4ft deep.
The company's operations manager for the West Midlands, Angie Thompson, said office staff had been moved to the company's base in Cannock. And Lichfield's authorities are on high alert for the weekend after flooding hit homes in neighbouring villages.
