This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/hereford/worcs/6910528.stm

The article has changed 19 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Army called in to flood-hit town Army called in to flood-hit town
(about 1 hour later)
The Army has been called into Upton-on-Severn to bring food and water into the town, which is virtually cut off by rising flood water.The Army has been called into Upton-on-Severn to bring food and water into the town, which is virtually cut off by rising flood water.
Fire crews are also taking food parcels into Worcestershire towns which remain cut off by flood water.Fire crews are also taking food parcels into Worcestershire towns which remain cut off by flood water.
More than 1,000 people are thought to be trapped inside Upton, where the situation is said to be worsening.More than 1,000 people are thought to be trapped inside Upton, where the situation is said to be worsening.
Meanwhile, police said some "sightseers" were making the rescue operation potentially more difficult.Meanwhile, police said some "sightseers" were making the rescue operation potentially more difficult.
"Not only are drivers stopping on the roadside to look at and photograph flood scenes, but some are driving past clear flood warning signs and endangering themselves and their passengers," a spokesman said."Not only are drivers stopping on the roadside to look at and photograph flood scenes, but some are driving past clear flood warning signs and endangering themselves and their passengers," a spokesman said.
He said an increasing number of motorists had abandoned their vehicles and then returned to find them broken into by thieves.He said an increasing number of motorists had abandoned their vehicles and then returned to find them broken into by thieves.
Water levels are falling in Evesham, the scene of some dramatic rescues on Saturday, but people are still cut off.Water levels are falling in Evesham, the scene of some dramatic rescues on Saturday, but people are still cut off.
'A write-off''A write-off'
In Evesham Paul Gibson, of the Merseyside Fire and Rescue service, said it had been given two important tasks on Sunday.In Evesham Paul Gibson, of the Merseyside Fire and Rescue service, said it had been given two important tasks on Sunday.
"One is to deliver some food but more importantly there are seven people that need rescuing who have spent an uncomfortable night in a hotel," he said."One is to deliver some food but more importantly there are seven people that need rescuing who have spent an uncomfortable night in a hotel," he said.
Fire crews take away guests from Evesham's Northwick HotelFire crews take away guests from Evesham's Northwick Hotel
Thirty people were reportedly rescued from the Northwick Hotel earlier on Sunday.Thirty people were reportedly rescued from the Northwick Hotel earlier on Sunday.
Hotel owner Shirley Start said it was now only accessible by dinghy.Hotel owner Shirley Start said it was now only accessible by dinghy.
"The mood is one of frustration," she said."The mood is one of frustration," she said.
"We need the water to start going down. We are getting by day to day but we have no hot food for the guests. The whole of the hotel's ground floor is a write-off.""We need the water to start going down. We are getting by day to day but we have no hot food for the guests. The whole of the hotel's ground floor is a write-off."
'Devastating scene''Devastating scene'
Alec Mackie, from Hereford and Worcester Fire Service, said: "We are keeping an eye on Upton-on-Severn, which is an island at the moment, and watching the flooding at Worcester."Alec Mackie, from Hereford and Worcester Fire Service, said: "We are keeping an eye on Upton-on-Severn, which is an island at the moment, and watching the flooding at Worcester."
One Upton motorcycle trader said his shop was 5ft (1.5m) underwater.One Upton motorcycle trader said his shop was 5ft (1.5m) underwater.
He said: "We went under water yesterday afternoon.He said: "We went under water yesterday afternoon.
"I managed to get all my motorcycles out of the shop but my stock and stuff stayed in underneath."I managed to get all my motorcycles out of the shop but my stock and stuff stayed in underneath.
"it's very, very deep, it's probably about three foot deeper than it was in the 2000 floods."it's very, very deep, it's probably about three foot deeper than it was in the 2000 floods.
"Its a devastating scene all around, really, and [there are] a lot of worried people in the middle of the town [with] no supplies.""Its a devastating scene all around, really, and [there are] a lot of worried people in the middle of the town [with] no supplies."
Rescue boatsRescue boats
Boats are being used to rescue people from their homes in Ripple and Uckinghall, between Upton and Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire.Boats are being used to rescue people from their homes in Ripple and Uckinghall, between Upton and Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire.
New Road Bridge in Worcester, the main route across the River Severn which has burst its banks, is closed for safety reasons.New Road Bridge in Worcester, the main route across the River Severn which has burst its banks, is closed for safety reasons.
West Mercia Police said flooding was also causing a huge problem in the village of Kempsey, virtually cut off after the A38 closed to flooding.West Mercia Police said flooding was also causing a huge problem in the village of Kempsey, virtually cut off after the A38 closed to flooding.
Public transport is also affected with Central Trains suspending its service between Birmingham New Street and Hereford. First Great Western have also cancelled services from Oxford to Worcester and Hereford. Meanwhile, the railway line between Birmingham and Worcester has reopened and Central Trains says its service between Hereford and Shrewsbury is resuming on Sunday evening. First Great Western services from Oxford to Worcester and Hereford are still suspended.
The Highways Agency has said the only main road remaining closed is the A49 in two sections, one near Hereford and the other near Leominster, Herefordshire.The Highways Agency has said the only main road remaining closed is the A49 in two sections, one near Hereford and the other near Leominster, Herefordshire.
Train services look set to continue to be disrupted by the damage in the comingdays. Train services look set to continue to be disrupted by the damage in the coming days.
Severe flood warnings are in force on the River Avon in Evesham and on the Severn at Worcester, Upton-on-Severn and Kempsey.Severe flood warnings are in force on the River Avon in Evesham and on the Severn at Worcester, Upton-on-Severn and Kempsey.
Budgies to dogsBudgies to dogs
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), which was called into Worcestershire on Saturday to help with rescue attempts, has now left to help with the situation in nearby Gloucestershire.The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), which was called into Worcestershire on Saturday to help with rescue attempts, has now left to help with the situation in nearby Gloucestershire.
Andy Clift, the RNLI rapid response unit team leader, said: "The team's rescue efforts in Worcestershire saw them rescue around 55 people plus various pets, from budgies to dogs.Andy Clift, the RNLI rapid response unit team leader, said: "The team's rescue efforts in Worcestershire saw them rescue around 55 people plus various pets, from budgies to dogs.
"I've never known anything like this. All our volunteers have been deeply affected by these extraordinary events and we have huge sympathy for everyone suffering from the flooding.""I've never known anything like this. All our volunteers have been deeply affected by these extraordinary events and we have huge sympathy for everyone suffering from the flooding."