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Hundreds rescued as floods strike Hundreds rescued as floods strike
(40 minutes later)
More than 750 people stranded in cars, caravans, houses and boats have been rescued from floods in Worcestershire.More than 750 people stranded in cars, caravans, houses and boats have been rescued from floods in Worcestershire.
The authorities have asked for military help after a night described by Hereford and Worcester Fire Service as its "worst in living memory".The authorities have asked for military help after a night described by Hereford and Worcester Fire Service as its "worst in living memory".
West Mercia Police said thieves had broken into abandoned vehicles in Herefordshire and Worcestershire.West Mercia Police said thieves had broken into abandoned vehicles in Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
About 20 special needs children trapped at Evesham's Vale of Evesham Special School could spend another night there.About 20 special needs children trapped at Evesham's Vale of Evesham Special School could spend another night there.
Anne Starr, from the school, said many of the children had a bed for the night because it was a residential school. Droitwich has also been hit by flooding - pic by Rags Mahone class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6909028.stm">Your pictures: Worcestershire floods
'Quite challenging' More than 1,000 people are expected to spend the night in rest centres in south Worcestershire.
She said: "Parents have been trying to get to us but have been turned back by police. We are planning to stay another night here.
Droitwich has also been hit by flooding - pic by Rags Mahone Your pictures: Worcestershir floods
"We've managed to keep safe, we're dry, we've had plenty to eat, so we're OK.
"Some of the youngsters thought it was a great adventure. Others found it quite challenging as their routines have been changed."
The fire service said it had received more than 2,000 calls in 27 hours, more than 10% of its annual figure.The fire service said it had received more than 2,000 calls in 27 hours, more than 10% of its annual figure.
The fire service is also keeping more than 350 members of staff, including many volunteers, on hand.
Vehicles stranded
West Mercia Police said it dealt with 1,000 emergency 999 calls between 1000 BST on Friday and 1000 BST Saturday, more than three times the average.
A further 2,358 non-emergency calls were taken and 2,229 incidents recorded while, in a 60-minute period from 2245 BST yesterday, 93 emergency calls were taken, six times the average for the same hour on a Friday night.
Caravans and boats have smashed into the bridge in Evesham - pic by Matt Capper
The authorities coordinating the emergency response in Worcestershire have now asked for military help, in particular the use of helicopters and specialist vehicles to assists with evacuations.The authorities coordinating the emergency response in Worcestershire have now asked for military help, in particular the use of helicopters and specialist vehicles to assists with evacuations.
People have been urged not to travel or contact the emergency services unless it is absolutely necessary.People have been urged not to travel or contact the emergency services unless it is absolutely necessary.
Elsewhere in the county 200 people were stranded at the New Inn at Cropthorn overnight without power or water.Elsewhere in the county 200 people were stranded at the New Inn at Cropthorn overnight without power or water.
Vehicles stranded
It took in coachloads of people when a road collapsed and then floods cut off the area.It took in coachloads of people when a road collapsed and then floods cut off the area.
An eyewitness in Evesham watched caravans float down the river and bang into the main bridge.An eyewitness in Evesham watched caravans float down the river and bang into the main bridge.
Caravans and boats have smashed into the bridge in Evesham - pic by Matt Capper People were rescued from rooftops by helicopter in Sedgeberrow
Store manager Wayne Beal said: "It's a surreal sight. The bridge is actually getting battered by the caravans which are floating up the river.Store manager Wayne Beal said: "It's a surreal sight. The bridge is actually getting battered by the caravans which are floating up the river.
"Your heart goes out to these people whose caravans are getting smashed to smithereens against the bridge.""Your heart goes out to these people whose caravans are getting smashed to smithereens against the bridge."
About 10,000 vehicles were stranded overnight on the M5 in Worcestershire and Gloucestershire.About 10,000 vehicles were stranded overnight on the M5 in Worcestershire and Gloucestershire.
The M5 later reopened but the M50 remains shut eastbound.The M5 later reopened but the M50 remains shut eastbound.
Meanwhile the village of Wolverley has become completely cut off after the River Stour burst its banks.Meanwhile the village of Wolverley has become completely cut off after the River Stour burst its banks.
Children rescuedChildren rescued
Evesham is cut off and the bridge has been closed, as has the one in Worcester, Tenbury Wells and Bewdley.Evesham is cut off and the bridge has been closed, as has the one in Worcester, Tenbury Wells and Bewdley.
Stourport-on-Severn is also suffering from severe flooding and four boats from the RNLI have travelled up the county.Stourport-on-Severn is also suffering from severe flooding and four boats from the RNLI have travelled up the county.
People were rescued from rooftops by helicopter in Sedgeberrow Residents were carried from a caravan park in Bromyard
Justin Owen, a spokesman for RAF Kinloss, in Morayshire, said five helicopters had rescued "in excess of 100 people".Justin Owen, a spokesman for RAF Kinloss, in Morayshire, said five helicopters had rescued "in excess of 100 people".
Elsewhere in the county, two people had to be rescued from the River Avon.Elsewhere in the county, two people had to be rescued from the River Avon.
Earlier RAF helicopters plucked more than 60 villagers from their rooftops and bedroom windows in Sedgeberrow when the River Isbourne broke its banks.Earlier RAF helicopters plucked more than 60 villagers from their rooftops and bedroom windows in Sedgeberrow when the River Isbourne broke its banks.
Firefighters also had to rescue children at Cherry Orchard Primary School in Worcester when water flowed into their building.
Train services in Worcester were disrupted when a landslide blocked a tunnel near Shrub Hill station.
Dozens of residents were evacuated from a caravan park off the A44 at Petty Bridge, near Bromyard in Herefordshire, where the River Froome burst its banks.
In Ledbury a tunnel close to the railway station was also flooded, causing severe disruption to trains between Worcester and Hereford, transport officials said.
Malvern Link railway station was under a foot of water and there was water on the line between Bromsgrove and Cheltenham.