First snow, then the floods – and it may not be over yet... (From Malvern Gazette)

First snow, then the floods – and it may not be over yet...

2:00pm Friday 1st February 2013 in News

WITH the river Severn at flood levels similar to those seen over Christmas, the outlook for the weekend is unsettled with the threat of more wintry weather.

There was a risk of hill snow last night.

Dave Throup, who is the Environment Agency manager for Worcestershire and Herefordshire, said: “There’s another big weather front on Friday which we’re keeping a close eye on.

“It’s going to be very unsettled over the weekend, possibly with some snow, and it’s going to go colder.

“The front might go south of us or it might secure a direct hit.

“There’s already a yellow weather warning out for it from the Met Office.”

Flood barriers at Upton were closed on Sunday, after the levels of the Severn and the Teme rose rapidly after a night of heavy rain and melting show.

The rivers were kept high over succeeding days as further rainwater flowed down the Welsh Marches.

The river level at Saxons Lode, near Upton, was reported to be 4.91 metres and steady, but it could rise slightly by tomorrow (Saturday) morning.

New Street and Hanley Road remain closed. The agency sent out workers to Kempsey to ensure flood defence pumps, which failed during flooding in November, work properly.

The Met Office outlook for later in the weekend is that Sunday will become wet and milder after an early frost, and Monday will be windy with scattered showers.