Shropshire Star

20 homes damaged as flash flooding returns to Shropshire

The recovery process is underway after about 20 homes were badly flooded when torrential rain hit south Shropshire.

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Flooding at Stanton Lacy, near Ludlow Racecourse. Photo: Russell Bufton

Shropshire Council and the Environment Agency are now working to repair the damage to houses and roads caused by flash flooding on Thursday night.

Anthony Perry, operations manager for the Environment Agency, said they are working with the local authority to support affected residents.

"We had some really intense down pours which were very localised," he said.

"Some places in south Shropshire had less than 10mm all night, but other saw 20mm in just one hour in a very small area."

This video shows flooding near Ludlow Racecourse:

Mr Perry said Ludlow and Craven Arms were the worst hit areas.

Despite dark clouds and muggy conditions, Shrewsbury and the north of the county narrowly missed the forecasted storms.

This car got stranded on a rural road in Harton near Church Stretton. Photo: Tom Orme

He added: "There was a problem in these areas because there are small streams which can't handle that level of intense rain.

"It was never going to affect big rivers like the Severn but it is a problem for the smaller water courses.

"Shropshire Council and the Environment Agency are out there talking to residents that have been flooded - I think there is about 20 properties.

"We're supporting those affected and helping them recover."

This car got stranded on a rural road in Harton near Church Stretton. Photo: Tom Orme

All flood alerts were due to be lifted today and Mr Perry said no further floods were expected.

Emergency services received a high number of calls relating to flooding in the south of the county after up to 50mm of rain fell in some areas.

A spokeswoman from Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service said they took 21 calls in just two hours.

She added: "The first call came in at 7.24pm and then the calls lasted about two hours. It eased off about 9.30pm.

Flooding on the A49 near Onibury on Thursday evening

"It was not quite as serious as first thought and there was no loss of life. Most calls were about water coming into properties and vehicles stuck in shallow water so we sent out crews to help them."

The fire service issued a warning to residents in south Shropshire to not attempt to drive or walk through flood water after one car was nearly completely submerged.

Clearing the drains during heavy rain at Munslow. Photo: Russell Bufton

Pictures taken by motorists showed knee-deep water on the A49 at around 10pm, while other nearby roads were also submerged.

West Mercia Police closed the A49 overnight for safety reasons but the road was back open in time for the morning rush hour.

The fire service also urged people to get sandbags from the local authority, isolate the electrics, move valuables, food and drink as high as possible and suggested residents and animals should stay upstairs.

It came just four days after similar floods covered roads and damaged homes after storms in Albrighton and Muxton.