West Midlands floods: Roads in chaos as torrential downpours hit region - and there's more on the way

The flash floods marked the third time in just over a week that uncontrollable rain has caused havoc across the Black Country.

In Staffordshire, flood warnings were issued after water levels at the River Penk rose from its average of 0.39 metres to 2 metres.

Flood alert website riverlevels.co.uk pointed out that in 'extreme weather' the river would usually only rise to 0.76 metres.

However, the last week has been anything but usual.

Yesterday continued the trend, with schools and roads being closed.

In the early hours of the morning, a message was sent out to motorists from the West Midlands Fire Service in anticipation of the bad weather.

The message, posted the service's Twitter page read: "Due to extremely heavy rainfall overnight and still falling, can we please ask everyone takes extra time and care on the roads this morning."

Sandwell Council confirmed The Phoenix Collegiate school in West Bromwich was closed to Years 7, 8 and 9 due to the flooding.

In Walsall, Chapel Lane, between the junctions of Old Hall Lane and the A34 Birmingham Road had to be closed until further notice.

Walsall Council said that the road required 'urgent repairs that cannot be completed until weather conditions have improved significantly'.

The A460 Eastern Way, in Cannock, was closed at the A5190 Lichfield Road junction because of flooding.

In Wollaston, motorists were hit with delays at the A458 Bridgnorth Road between Stourbridge and Stourton as drivers attempted to navigate through the flooded road.

Road users in Sandwell were also affected, with heavy rain creating a pot-hole on Brandhall Road, Oldbury, meaning motorists couldn't turn into the road.

Foundry Lane in Smethwick was also hit by flooding in the early hours, with highways bosses having to close the road while repair work was carried out.

The Library of Birmingham, which was temporarily closed on Tuesday when a public stairwell flooded, opened its express service as normal, but the building could still not offer a full service.

The Met Office had issued a weather warning for the West Midlands in the morning, which read: "Rising temperatures will trigger slow-moving heavy showers and thunderstorms.

"Once again, 15-25 mm are likely to fall within an hour in scattered locations, with the risk of more than 30 mm, bringing the risk of flooding, especially if across urban areas."

Following the warning, Severn Trent moved to assure its customers that it is working around the clock to deal with the harsh weather.

Natalie Welch, customer contact manager for Severn Trent, said work was being done 'around the clock' to combat the flooding.

She said: "We were aware that this weather was coming and we have worked hard to get ready for it.

"We have got extra staff on the phones in our call centre and additional teams available out and about across the region, working round the clock to deal with flooding issues. We've also got teams keeping an eye on those areas that we know have a high risk of flooding."