The River Severn rose to all-time high levels today amid severe flooding after more than 400 tonnes of water per second rushed down towards the medieval town of Shrewsbury.
Large parts of Shropshire are already underwater, with many access roads closed, and things could get worse with the river due to peak tonight amid further heavy rain in the Welsh mountains over the next 48 hours.
Rain is expected for much of the UK today, along with 50mph gusts in the South West, while the Environment Agency has imposed more than 300 alerts or warnings across England as the flooding risk continues.
The Severn at Montford was at 23ft (7.01m) by 10am today, beating the highest recorded level set in November 2000, while a prolonged peak at Welshbridge in Shrewsbury of up to 5.5m (18ft) is predicted this evening.
In Ironbridge, the Severn could breach flood defences, with Telford and Wrekin Council and West Mercia Police urging affected residents to get out of their homes and take up the council’s offer of accommodation.
Two severe ‘danger to life’ flood warnings have been issued for Shrewsbury and Ironbridge, while there is severe weather of a different kind in the North and Scotland where the Met Office has issued an ice and snow warning.
The alert – which also covers Wales – runs from 8pm tonight until 10am tomorrow and warns of 3.1in (8cm) of the white stuff on higher ground, with wintry showers expected to fall as a mixture of rain, hail and snow.
A bridge over the River Severn is almost underwater in Shrewsbury today as the Shropshire today faces severe flooding
An aerial view of flooding in Shrewsbury this morning where the River Severn is still rising and threatening further disruption
Temporary flood barriers installed in Ironbridge, Shropshire, today, as there are fears that the river could breach them
Flooding at the Riverside Caravan Park in Bridgnorth, Shropshire, today as the River Severn hits a record high level
Flooding is also affecting properties in the nearby Shropshire town of Ironbridge today as the River Severn remains high
An aerial view of flooding in Shrewsbury today where the River Severn is still rising and a severe flood warning is in place
An aerial view of flooding in Atcham near Shrewsbury today where the River Severn is still rising and flooding the roads
Temporary flood barriers have been installed to property homes and businesses in Ironbridge, pictured this morning
In Shrewsbury, pictured today, the three main shopping centres of Darwin, Pride Hill and Riverside have been shut for safety
The mercury dropped to -4.5C (23.9F) at the Cairnwell in the Highlands overnight, the Met Office said. Forecaster John Griffiths said: ‘A couple of places could be a bit colder in the next few hours, but only by a degree or so.’
Significant snowfalls were also recorded overnight, with Aviemore in Scotland recording 2.8in (7cm) and Northern Ireland’s Lough Fea getting 1.2in (3cm).
Higher areas in both countries and in northern England will continue to receive snow today, Mr Griffiths said. He warned snow and wintry showers would make it ‘a bit difficult for people’ on their morning commute.
The temperature in London was predicted to hover around 6C (43F) most of the day, while the South East experiences slightly warmer temperatures.
Higher regions will be colder, Mr Griffiths said, adding that the temperature would ‘obviously feel a lot colder with the strength of the wind later on’.
Showers are expected for much of the UK throughout today, along with gusts of 40mph to 50mph on the South West coast. Further inland, wind speeds are forecast to drop to 30mph to 40mph.
Business owners in Shrewsbury criticised the local council and Environment Agency over a lack of help and information.
Mike Evans, of Evans Carpets, said he had been told that the council had run out of sandbags. ‘We’ve had nothing – no help or assistance whatsoever. We haven’t seen anyone from the council or the Environment Agency,’ he said.
Mark Davies, 59, who runs Darwin’s Townhouse B&B in Shrewsbury, said he had suffered thousands of pounds of damage and had been unable to obtain insurance.
Asked about the Prime Minister’s absence in the crisis, he said: ‘Boris Johnson should make some sort of nod to acknowledge all the devastation.’
No 10 yesterday defended Mr Johnson’s absence from flooded areas, saying it was important not to ‘distract’ attention from the relief effort, and that Environment Secretary George Eustice was ‘rightly’ leading the Government’s response.
But David Bickle, 57, whose ground-floor flat in Shrewsbury was under a foot of water last night, criticised the Prime Minister’s excuses, saying: ‘What relief effort? There is no one helping us for him to disturb.’
A series of Environment Agency flood alerts (in amber) and warnings (in red) are in place along the River Severn today
The Severn at Montford was at 23ft (7.01m) by 10am today, beating the highest recorded level set in November 2000
Ironbridge resident Vic Haddock surveys flooding around his property in Shropshire today on the banks of the River Severn
An aerial view of flooding in Atcham near Shrewsbury today where the River Severn is still rising and causing chaos
Vic Haddock’s boathouse in Ironbridge, Shropshire, is partially submerged as the River Severn remains high this morning
A vehicle drives along a flooded road today in Atcham near Shrewsbury where the River Severn is still rising
The River Severn remains extremely high in Shropshire today, as it flows under the historic bridge in Ironbridge today
Severe flooding in Atcham near Shrewsbury is pictured today as the level of the River Severn continues to rise
Waves crash onto rocks near to St Mary’s Lighthouse in Whitley Bay on the North East coast this morning
The Met Office has issued an ice warning for Scotland and northern England today as rain hits many parts of the country
Two severe ‘danger to life’ flood warnings (in red) have been issued by the Environment Agency. A further 110 flood warnings (also red) – where flooding is expected – and 200 flood alerts (amber) – where flooding is possible – are in place across England
Further sleet and snow is expected in some areas today (left), and again tomorrow with rain also expected to fall (right)
Conditions on Thursday (left) and Friday (right) will again be wet, although temperatures will rise towards the weekend
Shropshire Council insisted last night that it has not run out of sandbags.
A spokesman said: ‘Any residents or businesses requiring sandbags are asked to contact the council and we will supply them.’
In Scotland yesterday, many higher routes faced white-out conditions, especially the A68 at Carter Bar, Roxburghshire, the A82 at Altnafeadh, Inverness-shire, and higher stretches of the A9.
The snow gates were closed on the B974 at Glen Dye in Aberdeenshire. In West Lothian, experts spent the day examining the roof of Livingston’s court complex, where gale force gusts tore a sheet of metal from the roof.
Conditions were also particularly bad in North Yorkshire and County Durham, with major problems on the A1M and A19 roads. The A66 trans-Pennine route was closed for much of the day.
The A68 near West Auckland, County Durham, was closed following a crash between a car and lorry in snow.
The snow and flooding caused further severe disruption on the M606 in West Yorkshire and the A58 in Leeds.
The chaotic start to the day meant dozens of schools were either closed or opened late on the first day back from the half term break.
B&B owner loses £40,000 after his business is flooded twice in a week after being told no one would insure him
By Miles Dilworth, Money Mail Reporter
Mark Davies, who runs Darwin’s Townhouse B&B in Shrewsbury
A B&B owner has spoken of his devastation over losing around £40,000 in damages and loss of takings after his business was flooded twice in a week.
In a bitter blow, Mark Davies, who runs Darwin’s Townhouse B&B in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, had been told he could no longer get insurance flood cover just 12 days before the River Severn burst its banks last Tuesday.
Mr Davies, 59, said his broker had spoken to several insurance providers before the floods hit – but not a single one was willing to insure his business against flood damage. He said it would be months before his B&B is fully operational again following further flooding yesterday.
‘It’s been a double whammy,’ he said. ‘No one is touching this any more. It’s a crying shame really when you think of some of the businesses around here and the losses that could kill them.’
The entire basement of his guesthouse has been flooded, wrecking stores of linen and food, while ten of the 20 rooms at his B&B have been put out of action.
When asked what his message to the Prime Minister would be, he said: ‘Come down and say hello.
‘I would throw down that gauntlet. What are you going to do? I have had to pay a phenomenal amount in tax and rates and yet I’m seeing very little in return.
‘My personal feeling on Boris Johnson is he should make some sort of nod to acknowledge all the devastation across the country that he is responsible for,’ he said.
Mr Davies had been told he could no longer get insurance flood cover just 12 days before the River Severn burst its banks last Tuesday