Big flood clean-up begins but danger ahead

Families were today counting the cost of last night's floods as the big clean-up began amid warnings of more danger ahead.

Shropshire was today on flood alert after more torrential rain brought flash flooding to the county.

South Shropshire and parts of Wales were among the hardest hit regions in the country and the downpours show no sign of letting up. And the Met Office has today increased its warning of rain to amber across parts of the South East, Midlands and East Anglia.

• Flood rescues as rivers rise – Live updates

Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service was called to a string of rescues, in one incident having to ferry residents from their swamped homes by boat in Neen Sollars, Cleobury Mortimer.

A total of 55 flood alerts, 17 of them in the Midlands, were in place today across England and Wales.

The A49 in Shropshire was closed yesterday following intense rainfall, while flash floods hit parts of north Powys in Wales.

An Environment Agency spokesman said: "We are urging people across central and eastern England to remain vigilant as heavy thunderstorms are forecast to affect large swathes of the country. Locally intense showers falling on already saturated ground could lead to surface water flooding and possible river flooding from fast responding rivers, particularly across parts of the Midlands and East Anglia.

"The Met Office warns that many areas are expected to see between 20mm and 30 mm of rain, but some parts could see up to 60mm – almost a month's worth of rain –- in just a few hours."

Shropshire was on the alert for more floods today after heavy rain last night.

The EA advised people to remain vigilant and prepared for flooding as the county was battered by fresh downpours.

Bereaved families were left distraught after graves were waterlogged by wet weather in Shrewsbury. Several graves at Emstrey Cemetery started to sink following the heavy rainfall. Floral tributes were left floating, according to one regular visitor.

The man, who asked not to be named, said he had seen other families in tears when he visited his father's grave earlier this week. Co-operative Funeralcare, which is responsible for the site, today apologised and said it had worked with grounds maintenance contractor Shrewsbury Town Council to correct the problems.

The man said: "Graves were filled with water and there were flowers floating about. It was an absolute mess. Families have been on their knees crying at the graveside. It is absolutely unbelievable."

A spokesman for Co-operative Funeralcare, which took over bereavement services in Shropshire last August, said: "The cemetery has been affected by the exceptional weather and the soil has sunk in places. We are sorry for any distress this has caused.

"We have an agreed programme of grounds maintenance and are working with the council to ensure it is implemented."

Helen Ball, town clerk for Shrewsbury Town Council, said work had taken place this week to rectify the problem.

See also:

• Grim warning of more rain to hit Shropshire

• Check the latest local weather forecasts