Misery on roads as storms batter region
The worst September storm for 30 years was continuing today, with flood alerts in place across the Midlands and drivers battling treacherous conditions on the region's roads.
The Environment Agency is monitoring high water levels along the River Severn, as well as the Lower Tame near Alrewas in Staffordshire.
Torrential downpours caused delays on busy routes and trouble for animals who had to be rescued from flooded fields.
The Met Office revealed today an area of low pressure measuring 973 millibars had been recorded near the north-east coast – the lowest reading in the UK for September since 1981.
There were further downpours across the West Midlands this morning but the deluge was forecast to subside this afternoon, with sunny spells later.
Some areas elsewhere in the country could receive a further two inches of rain today, after more than a month's rainfall came down in 24 hours.
In the West Midlands motorists faced misery on the M6 in Staffordshire and the Black Country when a HGV broke down causing traffic to stretch for more than 11 miles.
The vehicle broke down on the southbound carriageway of the motorway at junction 8 for Great Barr shortly after 2pm yesterday.
The Highways Agency said the incident was cleared by 4.22pm. During rush hour traffic yesterday evening, queues stretched back for 11 miles to Junction 11A, near Cannock.
Fire crews were also called to a field in Staffordshire after receiving reports that 20 cows had become partially submerged. Staff-ord crews were called to the field off Fairway in Littleworth, at 3.35pm yesterday.
