Flood alerts have been issued for Birmingham (Image: X/Birmingham Wholesale Market)
Birmingham has been left under water – and locals have been warned that is yet to come.
Shocking pictures show that the UK’s second city has been absolutely drenched there are quickly rising water levels in the River Rea. Five flood alerts have been issued for the area by the Environment Agency.
There’s been a major clean-up operation by staff, St Thomas Aquinas Catholic School in Kings Norton, Birmingham with head teacher Chris Martin said rising waters left students unable to open the doors as a “torrent of water” ran through the playground.
Mr Martin told the BBC that in his 20 years of teaching he had never seen anything like it.
Floods are expected to worsen over the coming days despite already causing disruption (Image: Getty Images)
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Vast swathes of the countryside flooded today after the severe rainfall in the last 24 hours. These are fields along the railway line between and Trains now running, but many have been cancelled floods
— @RadioLisa1 (@RadioLisa1)
The Met Office reads: “Slow moving showers and thunderstorms will develop through the afternoon, merging into a large band of heavy rain through the evening, before clearing slowly south overnight. Some places, especially across central and eastern parts of the warning area, are likely to receive 30-40mm in three hours or less, and perhaps 50-60mm or more in around six hours.
“This will fall onto already saturated ground and affect communities recovering from recent flooding. Travel disruption and further flooding is likely, with rivers continuing to rise after the rain clears.”
There have been significant travel delays in the city and the surrounding areas with many struggling to reach their destination and facing severe delays or train cancellations.
If you’re visiting the market today be aware that the car park has flooded so please access very carefully. ☔️The market is open as usual though ??????
— Birmingham Wholesale Market (@bhamwsmkt)
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Some schools in Birmingham have been forced to close due to flooding and Police issued a statement warning of severe floods in some areas.
Police shared on X: “Please be cautious when crossing flooded areas. Officers have assisted West Midlands Fire Service in securing flooded area – no one was injured/driver was rescued. Please Stay Safe.”
The most impacted areas include:
- Bourn Brook at Selly Oak
- Illey Brook at Halesowen
- River Cole at Coleshill
- River Rea at Edgbaston
- River Rea at Stirchley
- The Bourn at Bournville
Surrounding areas such as Worcester have also been heavily impacted by the flooding.
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