Residents and motorists across South Staffordshire urged to be cautious as river forecast to flood

Residents and motorists around Stafford and the surrounding towns have been warned of possible flooding of two rivers as a result of Storm Bert.

An alert on the Government Floodline website for the River Sow and River Penk has said that the area around the Deepmore Farm river gauge is set to see a rise in levels, with flooding of roads and farmland possible.

The flood alert is for the low-lying land and roads between Great Bridgeford and Shugborough on the River Sow, between Coven and Stafford on the River Penk, on the Sandyford Brook, on the Rising Brook, on the Ridings Brook and on the Saredon Brook.

The levels are being monitored throughout the day, with rainfall forecast on Saturday and Sunday, and incident response staff working to check defences.

A spokesman for the Government Floodline said: "River levels are forecast to rise in the early hours of Saturday at the Deepmore Farm river gauge as a result of Storm Bert. 

"Consequently, flooding of roads and farmland is possible early on Saturday morning. 

"Flooding is likely to affect low-lying land and roads adjacent to the River Sow between Great Bridgeford and Shugborough, the River Penk between Coven and Stafford, the Sandyford Brook, the Rising Brook, the Ridings Brook and the Saredon Brook.

"We are issuing this flood alert as a precautionary measure given the forecasted time of the river level increase.

"Rainfall is forecast throughout Saturday and into Sunday.

"We are closely monitoring the situation. Our incident response staff have been out checking defences, clearing weedscreens and we are actively checking river levels and the weather forecast.

"Please plan driving routes to avoid low lying roads near rivers, which may be flooded and stay aware in case further warnings are issued."