Trees blown down and cars stranded as heavy rain and strong winds continue
Cars have been stranded in floods and trees have fallen as heavy wind and rain continues across the Black Country and Staffordshire.
Wombourne ford rose on Giggetty Lane and a car had to be towed out after becoming stuck in the water on Thursday evening.
And a stretch of the A4041 Queslett Road under the M6 in Great Barr disappeared completely under water.
Meanwhile Lutley Gutter burst its banks in Belle Vale, Halesowen, covering the path to Haden Hill.
Heavy downpours on Thursday night increased the number of flood warnings in effect.
The Environment Agency (EA) has posted 147 flood warnings – in which immediate action is required – with 145 in England and two in Wales.
There are also 174 flood alerts current, warning people to be prepared for possible flooding.
The warnings and alerts cover most of England.
Roads across Walsall have been closed due to flooding in recent days including Crook Lane between the junctions of Sutton Road and Chapel Lane/Pinfold Lane, Barr Lakes Lane between the junctions of Skip Lane and Crook Lane and Redhouse Lane in Aldridge between the junctions of Bosty Lane and Paddock Lane.
A tree was blown down in St James' Churchyard in Gornal, damaging some of the grave stones.
And another was blown onto an electricity box in Pattingham. James Bailey, assistant director for Highways at Staffordshire County Council said: “Our highways crews along with specialist tree surgeons attended the site on Thursday and removed the fallen branches from the road.”
A residential street in Kingswinford was also covered in water as the rain became heavier.
Richard Lowe said he has reported the drain in Randall Close to Dudley Council four times this month.
He said: "Severn Trent Water is working close by and have provided sand bags for some residents to help protect their properties. All it needs is the road drains cleaning every once in a while.
"This happens every time it rains and when vehicles drive through it my fence panels get a soaking, but will they pay to replace them due to rotten panels, I doubt it very much."
A Dudley Council spokesman said: “We were made aware of an issue of a blocked gully in this area late last month and our teams cleared it a few weeks ago.
“In this instance we believe the heavy rain was the most likely cause of the build-up of water as we experienced extensive rainfall yesterday.
“Our teams were out working across the borough late into the evening to help keep roads clear and we will continue to monitor.”
The heavy rain is expected to ease off early next week according to the Met Office – but it will still be cold and frosty.
