Flood drama in Shropshire and Mid Wales: Helicopter airlifts driver stuck in water and people rescued from their homes

A man in his 60s had to be rescued from by helicopter from the River Vyrnwy near Meifod at about 5.30pm on Monday evening.

Mid Wales Fire and Rescue Service said the man's car became trapped in water at Brionarth Bridge.

Two boat rescue teams, from Welshpool and Aberystwyth were sent to the scene, along with crews from Welshpool and Llanfyllin.

A spokesman for the fire service said: "Two boats were unable to reach him due to strong currents.

"Crews also attempted to use the rescue sled but eventually needed assistance from the HM Coastguard helicopter which airlifted him to safety."

But the man had to be lifted from the roof of his car by helicopter and was flown to hospital for treatment

In the early hours of this morning two people and their dog also had to be rescued by fire crews after being trapped on the first floor of their home by rising waters.

The home near Welshpool was filled with 4ft of water before 5am.

Mid Wales Fire and Rescue Service used two rescue boats from Welshpool and Aberystwyth and waders to take the people to safety.

Ay 8.05am today a man also had to be rescued for the roof of his car at Caerhowel.

Mid Wales Fire and Rescue Service used the rescue sled and wading gear to free the man. Both the Welshpool and Aberystwyth rescue boats were dispatched to the scene.

This morning the A483 between the Mile End Roundabout at Oswestry and the B4398 at Llanymynech in Powys was closed all of this morning because of flooding in the Llynclys area.

Flood barriers were also going up today in Shrewsbury as a flood alert is in place for Wednesday.

Buses by Tanat Valley in Oswestry and Mid Wales have also been cancelled this morning as routes become impassible.

Elsewhere there have also been problems on the trains this morning in Mid Wales with services between Newtown and Machynlleth being cancelled and rail replacement services put on.

A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesman said: "Driving conditions throughout the county are treacherous, and police are appealing to motorists to only make absolutely essential journeys. We are also appealing to all motorists to heed road signs indicating a road is closed or flooded, as we are getting a number of reports of people ignoring these signs and then getting into difficulty in the deep water. We already have people stuck in their vehicles.

"Due to these problems, all the emergency services are heavily committed, therefore we are urging the public to help protect themselves by listening to advice."

Landslides and flooding hit busy roads in the region yesterday due to the impact of heavy rain.

Parts of the A458 in the Welshpool, Llanfair Caereinion and Llanerfyl areas were affected, creating hazardous conditions for drivers.

The threat of more flooding has increased with the Met Office warning that nearly a month's worth of rain could fall in parts of Wales over the next few days.

Live interactive flood alerts map:

Between three inches and five inches of rain are expected in some areas during that period – the average rainfall for Wales in November is 6.3 inches.

Storm Clodagh brought gale force winds of up to 70mph on Sunday, leading to fallen trees and widespread travel disruption across the UK.

Not only were road and rail users affected, but a number of local authorities had to cancel their Christmas lights switch-on celebrations because of the weather.

And there was no let up as the country moved into the new working week, because while the strong winds may be easing off, they are being replaced by heavy rain.

Rivers are struggling to cope with excess water, and some cases have already given up the fight against the rising water.

The River Vyrnwy flooded near Welshpool and the A483 at Garthmyl was under 18 inches of water last night, with only one lane of the carriageway open.

The Dyfi Bridge at Machynlleth was closed last night due to flooding.

Other roads that could be affected by the flooding are the minor road at Meifod bridge, the B4393 near Llansantffraid bridge and the B4398 near New Bridge, Llanymynech.

The Environment Agency has 21 flood warnings active across England and Wales, including for the River Severn at Caerhowel, the Caersws area, Dolwen, Llandinam, Abermule, Fron, Pool Quay and Trewern.

An orange alert for flooding has been issued for Wednesday.

Areas and roads including Frankwell, Gravel Hill Lane and Sydney Avenue in Shrewsbury are all at risk of flooding.

A flood alert warning is also in effect for the River Teme, River Onny and River Corve and their tributaries upstream of Ludlow in the south of the county.

For more information you can call Floodline on 0345 988 1188.

If you taken any pictures or video of flooding in your area then you can send them to us here.