The Wharfage was already under two feet of water by lunchtime. But the flood was not due to peak until later tonight. Further down the river, Jackfield was also starting to bear the brunt of the floods.
The River Severn peaked in the county town around midnight after a dramatically rapid rise but it began receding slowly this afternoon as a major clear-up operation was mounted. In Ironbridge, scores of people had been working furiously throughout the day in a bid to protect their properties and avoid a repetition of the devastation that swept through the area two years ago. Pubs have been stripped of furniture and residents have spent the day sandbagging entrances and putting household items on the first floor. Many homes and businesses were already under several inches of water - with parts of the Wharfage submerged as early as 8am. Despite the ominous signs, many residents remained optimistic because of the early flood warnings.
Staff at The Boat Inn on Ferry Road, Jackfield, have spent the day moving as much as possible to two storage sheds on higher ground. Licensee Dawn Wooldridge said: "We're already under two feet of water but at least this year we have been a bit more prepared. "After having practically everything destroyed in the 2000 floods we stripped the pub as far as we could as soon as the river started to rise." Staff at the Museum of the Gorge spent the day carting away artefacts and shop stock as the water level continued to rise.
The same was being done at Coalport China Museum, although its galleries remained open and the family workshops have been relocated. The Tourist Information office was also moved to a shop in the Square. Lynn Youngman from the Old Courthouse, Waterloo Street said: "Ironbridge is virtually cut off at the moment. "Two out of the three main roads have already been closed and we have no idea how long it's going to last." The Swan, situated nearby, had a foot of water in its cellar and staff were kept busy all day moving stock to the main part of the premises.
Throughout the day officials from Telford & Wrekin Council were on site to monitor the situation and midway through the morning extended the length of the Wharfage closed to traffic. Emergency workers also brought tonnes of sandbags to help residents and businesses cope with the rising water. Shropshire Star weatherman John Warner said there had been more downpours this morning but described the torrential rain as "virtually on its last legs". Shrewsbury was again under water today as fresh floods swept through the town bringing misery for thousands of residents and traders. Hundreds of homes and shops were flooded or cut off after the River Severn rose by almost a metre (3ft) in just 11 hours yesterday.
The river peaked at around midnight after its rapid rise, but was taking longer to recede as a major clear-up operation was mounted. Steve Tansey from Abbey Foregate, said the flood water had come up within 1cm of his front door and he had decided not to risk staying at home last night. He said: "We stayed at the Abbey Lodge for the night and moved all the furniture out yesterday." Councillor Chris Freestone, flood warden for Abbey Foregate, said it had been a real community effort to make preparations for the floods. She said: "Everyone was here early and it was great in the morning because everyone was busy getting things ready. But by 2pm we were just waiting for the water to come. It was really eerie." Chris Griffiths, 47, and Ian Hartstone, 34, of Abbey Foregate, had put their valuables well out of reach. Mrs Griffiths said: "We phoned the insurance company in advance and they were happy for us to put our belongings in storage. However, they said we would have to foot the bill for storage if we didn't get flooded which is just ridiculous. "Luckily it is a lovely community round here and everyone has rallied round to help each other in case of emergency." Margaret Hicks, of New Street, was today dealing with 2ft of water lapping at her back door. It is the fifth time she has been flooded in six years. Mrs Hicks was prepared for the onslaught with a pump running night and day in the basement to keep the worst of the water out. But with some furniture in the garage and other items hoisted to the ceiling Mrs Hicks said she couldn't help feeling depressed. "We are not distraught but depressed that it happens so often. Yesterday and it was lapping at the door by 11am. "We didn't have as much panic as we normally do because we have been there so many times and we are quite pleased with our defences."
Firefighters were called out to tackle flooding in the town. One crew was sent to St Julian Friars at 8.20pm to pump water from a flooded cellar. The Environment Agency said the worst of the flooding had past but warned residents to listen to television and radio bulletins. The EA blamed the rapid rise of river levels on water flowing straight into the Severn from the River Vyrnwy with nothing to slow down its progress. An EA spokesman said flood water was also likely to have an effect on the A442 Bridgnorth to Telford road. There are eight flood warnings in the Upper Severn today, with one severe flood warning in place between Shelton and Monkmoor. North east Powys and north Shropshire remain on flood watch. There are eight flood warnings in the Upper Severn today, with one severe flood warning in place between Shelton and Monkmoor. Communities in the Oswestry area were today breathing a sigh of relief that the River Severn had stopped rising and most residents had escaped without water seeping into their homes. Flood wardens said although villages like Melverley and Pentre, near Nesscliffe, were still mostly cut off the outside world, communities had rallied round to ensure everyone was safe and well. Pentre flood warden and post mistress, Glenise Bevan, said today they were 'fine'.
And at Maesbrook, farmer and flood warden Roger Davies, said he was pleased to see the water level dropping but was still having to herd his dairy cows through knee-deep water to get them into the milking parlour. Other people, like Tony and Liz Dawson at Llandrinio, were celebrating evidence that flood defence banks they had built on their land, were holding the worst of the water at bay. The Environment Agency said today the worst of the flooding had past but warned residents to listen to television and radio bulletins and call the floodline if they had any concerns. The EA blamed the rapid rise of river levels on water flowing straight into the Severn from the River Vyrnwy with nothing to slow down its progress.
Courtesy of the Shropshire Star
