Storm Hank leaves flooded homes and roads across England | Weather in Great Britain

Severe flooding continued in parts of England on Thursday as Nottinghamshire and communities in Gloucestershire were almost completely surrounded by water.

Wind and heavy rain expected to continue to batter Britain overnight as Storm Hank forced people to evacuate their homes in Shrewsbury, while parts of Worcester city center were under water and emergency officials warned people in risky areas. of the River Trent to prepare for evacuation. Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, was almost entirely surrounded by floodwaters, several roads were cut off and authorities told people who needed to evacuate to a special recreation centre.

More than 550 flood warnings and alerts were still in place Thursday evening England and Wales. The Environmental Protection Agency reported that about 450 properties were flooded this week.

Stéphane Leger, the agency's flood management manager, said: “Parts of the Midlands and the south and east of England are likely to experience significant surface water and river flooding impacts on Thursday and Friday due to localized heavy rainfall in already very saturated catchments. .

“Continued minor impacts are also likely across much of England over the next five days as some major rivers are slow to respond to recent and forecast rain.”

Earlier, the Met Office issued a yellow severe warning for a band of rain to cross the West Country, southern counties of England, London and East Anglia will continue until 3am on Friday.

Flooding closed roads across the region, leaving some residents unable to get to higher ground.

Crews from Highfields Fire Station used a boat to rescue a man who was trapped on the roof of his shed due to flooding. Many residents of Radcliffe-on-Trent were forced to evacuate. “I've lived in Radcliffe since 1975, this is the highest level since 2000, when the area last flooded,” Anne McLeod of Radcliffe-on-Trent Parish Council told PA. She added that several houses are without electricity.

Mario Thomas, owner of the Boat Inn in Jackfield, Shropshire, told PA Media that the property had been flooding since Dec. 31 and “got worse and worse” until the water level rose significantly on Thursday. “I knew there was going to be a flood, but I didn't think it would be this bad,” he said.

This is the third flood he has experienced at the property in less than a year. “The last two were fine, but this one, this one is evil,” Thomas said.

Earlier, an 87-year-old driver died as a result of hitting a fallen tree, about which the police received a report 90 minutes before. The woman, who has not been named, was in a red Smart Forfour when she collided with a tree near Crays Pond, Oxfordshire, around 5.25pm ​​on Tuesday. She was the second driver to die in the weather this week – a man in his 50s from Bath died when a tree fell on his car in Gloucestershire on Tuesday afternoon.

Thames Valley Police referred itself to the Independent Police Conduct Authority in relation to the latest death because police received a report of a fallen tree about an hour and a half before the fatal crash. The IOPC said: “We will assess the referral to determine whether any further action is required of us.”

Several cows drowned in a flooded field in Derbyshire. In a message to the X, the Rural Crime Team said officers attended the incident near Soley along with members of Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service following calls involving cattle. They managed to save a few cows but added: “Unfortunately some have already drowned and an animal welfare investigation is underway.”

An area of low pressure associated with the rain was also bringing some strong winds, with the Jersey Met Office publishing a red warning for winds of 60mph (96km/h).

Between 10am and noon on Thursday, 10mm of rain fell in south Cornwall, the UK Met Office said. Winds of up to 40mph were anticipated on the south coast. The forecaster said the rain was falling on already saturated ground, which could cause further flooding and travel disruption.

Great Western Railway advised people not to travel. It said: “Due to heavy rainfall forecast for already flooded ground, Great Western Railway is advising people not to start rail journeys. Those who have already traveled should consider returning as soon as possible.

“With additional flood warnings in place and the amount of rain forecast, Network Rail has identified key locations in Wiltshire, Somerset, Devon and Cornwall at risk of flooding from around 3pm. Trains may not operate through these areas."

The direct route between Swindon and Bristol Parkway remained closed due to flooding.

The Environment Agency has said it is investigating a sewage spill from a flooded sewage treatment plant in Surrey. A spokesman said: “We are aware of the current situation at Horley WWTP which is completely unacceptable. We have issued a non-compliance notice to Thames Water for breaching their permit and our staff are actively investigating this incident.'