Flood waters begin to recede after Severn rises - The Worcester Observer

Flood waters begin to recede after Severn rises

Worcester Editorial 30th Oct, 2019   0

WATER levels on the River Severn are now expected to fall after the city experienced its worst flooding since the 2014 deluge this week.

Vehicles on car parks close to the river were left underwater after the Severn rose an estimated four metres above its normal level after a month’s rain fell in 24 hours last Friday and Saturday.

Car parks close to the river have been closed while Worcestershire’s New Road cricket ground has again borne the brunt of the rising Severn.

Environment Agency chiefs were also forced to close the flood gates on Hylton Road for the first time since 2014.




The flood waters were expected to reach their highest level last night as the Observer went to press and begin falling soon after.

Dave Throup, Environment Agency manager for Herefordshire and Worcestershire, said: “There is no sign of any more heavy rainfall so we are hoping once the river has reached its peak, Worcester and further downstream will see levels fall towards the weekend.”


One of the casualties of the flood waters is the annual bonfire at Pitchcroft racecourse which has been cancelled for only the second time in more than 50 years.

Organisers of the Saturday’s (November 2) event were forced to pull the plug on Monday (October 28) with the racecourse under water.

Devastated committee members confirmed all pre-purchased tickets had been fully refunded and paid tribute to the messages of support from the local community.

The weekend’s deluge saw more than 100 flood warnings issued across the UK with the entire stretch of the River Severn covered by warnings at one point.

Just five flood warnings remained in place for the city yesterday (Tuesday) covering Kempsey, Bevere and Worcester itself with the Severn expected to peak at about five metres.

Despite the high water levels, the city remained open for business with both City Council chiefs and Worcester BID bosses encouraging people to visit the city.

Visit www.flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/warnings for more.

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