Region braced for more rain

Heavy winds whipped the West Midlands and dozens of severe weather warnings have been put in place, as forecasters warned more torrential rain is on the way.

Gales of up to 45mph battered the region overnight – as residents were told to prepare for worse over the weekend.

Overhead warnings of strong winds were today alerting motorists driving on Black Country stretches of the M6.

The lit-up signs have been put in place between Birmingham and Staffordshire warning drivers about the severe gales.

The Environment Agency has put 28 flood warnings in place in the Midlands, Wales, North East and North West England.

There are also 63 less serious weather warnings in place.

Despite only an eighth of an inch of rain falling in the region yesterday, water levels in fords have raised causing a hazard for drivers.

West Midlands Ambulance Service today warned drivers about the dangers of crossing fords after a van got stuck in one in Worcestershire. Water is also raised in Trescott Ford, near Wolverhampton.

The van got stuck in water at Squires Walk, Kempsey at around 2.30pm yesterday, forcing its 45-year-old driver to clamber on to the roof to safety.

Firefighters managed to get a winch on to the van and pull him out.

Service spokesman Murray MacGregor said: "On arrival ambulance staff found a man stuck in his van in the ford. Water was up to side windows.

"The driver was sitting on top of his roof so that he kept dry as the water had come inside his van. Fortunately, the patient was unhurt, if somewhat embarrassed.

"This incident does raise some serious concerns – with all of the rain that the area has been having many fords that are usually only a few inches deep are now sometimes several feet deep." Shropshire has been placed on full-scale flood alert after barriers went up and motorists had to be rescued from stranded cars.

The Environment Agency has issued flood warnings in six parts of the region as rivers broke their banks and roads became impassable.

Residents and businesses close to the River Severn and River Vyrnwy have been warned to get sandbags at the ready as river levels rise.

The worst hit areas today included Melverley and Kinnerley, near Oswestry, and the River Severn from Pool Quay to Shrewsbury. Residents and businesses further downstream in Ironbridge and Bridgnorth are also bracing themselves for potential flooding and water levels are being monitored in Bewdley.

Caroline Reeve, from Wharfage Cottage in Ironbridge, said: "It's been coming up steadily over the last few days and it's quite high.

"I will be keeping an eye on it and I am hoping for a few days respite from it so hopefully it will stop raining."

Rail services throughout the country have also been badly affected by the torrential weather, with services stopped in Carlisle, Maryport, Dundee, Aberdeen, Glasgow and Dunblane.

First TransPennine Express and Virgin Trains' services have also been hit because of a landslip between Carlisle and Penrith North Lakes.

The heavy rain also caused travel misery in southern and south west England, as well as Wales.

In Sandwell, pupils were sent home from Wood Green High School due to the heavy winds, which dislodged roof cladding.

Nearly 1,500 pupils were today returning to the Wednesbury school following emergency repairs.

Met Office bosses today warned that worse weather is on the way over the weekend and next week. Although weather experts predict a calmer day tomorrow, they warned the region to expect another battering on Sunday.