Jump to main content

News & Events

Home » News & Events » 2019 » November » Warning from fire and rescue service during flooding across the two counties

Warning from fire and rescue service during flooding across the two counties

in News

Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (HWFRS) is warning the public to use caution on the counties’ roads while floodwater remains a problem.

In the 24 hours from 07:00 Thursday 14 November to 07:00 Friday 15 November, in addition to other emergency calls, HWFRS attended 46 incidents of ‘vehicles in water’ and rescued 97 people and one dog.

HWFRS is working closely with the police and ambulance service, as well as the County Councils and other partner agencies, to monitor river levels and priority locations, such as care homes and hospitals, which may continue to be vulnerable to floodwater.

Evesham is being carefully monitored, where the river is expected to peak at 4.1m between 14:00-18:00 today. The needs of residents of 15 properties in Evesham that are at risk of flooding are being assessed by coordinating group, but there is no immediate or expected threat to safety.

In Herefordshire flood barriers are up and properties around the Greyfriars Bridge, which are at higher risk, are being monitored.

Area Commander Mark Preece said: “Collaboration with our blue-light colleagues and other agencies means we are able to respond effectively to these spate conditions. However, the public can help by demonstrating extra caution in floodwater by not driving unless it’s essential, by obeying road closure warnings, and not driving or walking through floodwater.

“Even shallow water can overwhelm a car, and hidden obstacles and holes are dangerous to pedestrians and cars alike.

“Surface water flooding on the highways has closed more than 100 roads in Worcestershire and many in Herefordshire and is expected to remain a problem over the weekend, so please consider your journeys carefully and keep up to date via the Worcestershire County Council and Herefordshire County Council websites.”

Ends

pr046.flooding2.INC.nov19.jaa (ACMP)