Storm Ashley wreaks havoc in a historic city as floodwaters submerge parts of the area, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. The River Severn, already on high flood alert, continued to rise until it breached its banks in Worcester over the weekend. The Met Office had issued a rare “danger to life” weather warning across various UK regions, predicting heavy rain and gusts of up to 80mph.
Images captured on Sunday depict the Worcester County Cricket Club’s ground inundated, with spectator stands partially submerged. The nearby Worcestershire County Cricket Club’s New Road ground also faced complete flooding, while parked cars were nearly submerged up to their wing mirrors. Streets around the iconic Worcester Cathedral were not spared, with flooding affecting the area.
An Environment Agency spokesperson highlighted the escalating river levels at the Worcester (Barbourne) river gauge due to recent heavy rainfall. Storm Ashley, the season’s inaugural named storm, unleashed hurricane-force winds reaching up to 80mph across the UK. The spokesperson also cautioned that further rainfall was anticipated in the following 24 hours, with river levels expected to remain elevated for several days.
Efforts are underway to monitor the situation closely, with incident response teams collaborating with emergency services and local authorities. Residents are advised to safeguard their possessions and valuables by moving them off the ground or to safer locations. The aftermath of the storm serves as a reminder of the unpredictable and destructive nature of extreme weather conditions, urging communities to remain vigilant and prepared in the face of future natural calamities.