West Midlands hit by flash flooding after heavy rain – see exact times thunderstorm warning is in place

The West Midlands has been hit by flash flooding after heavy rain, with emergency crews responding to incidents across Birmingham and the Black Country and motorists facing difficult conditions on roads across the region.

West Midlands Fire Service said six crews were dealing with “significant flooding” around Curbar Road, Thornbridge Avenue and Haddon Road in Birmingham. Crews were being supported by West Midlands Police and Birmingham City Council, with residents urged to avoid the area where possible.

Flooding was also reported across parts of Walsall and along Lichfield Road from Little Bloxwich towards Brownhills, while further disruption was reported on Aldridge Road, Queslett Road and Hamstead Road. NX West Midlands said its service 5 was being diverted because of flooding on Queslett Road in Old Oscott.

Read more: Heavy rain and thunderstorms set to hit West Midlands

Birmingham City Council advised people to take care and avoid walking, cycling or driving through flood water.

The flooding comes as two yellow thunderstorm warnings have been issued for Thursday. One covers London and the South East until 8am, while a wider warning covering Wales and much of England is in force from 5am until 10pm.

The Met Office said some areas could receive 50-75mm of rain on Thursday, with isolated totals above 75mm possible over 12 hours. Thunderstorms could also bring lightning and hail, creating further risks of surface flooding and travel disruption.

Met Office forecaster Craig Snell said a band of potentially heavy and thundery rain would stretch across parts of the UK, with the Midlands and Wales likely to experience a particularly wet day. Further thunderstorms could move into south-east England during Thursday evening.

The Environment Agency has issued 22 flood alerts across the Midlands and South East, meaning flooding is possible in affected areas.

The unsettled weather is expected to continue into the bank holiday weekend, with further heavy rain and thunderstorms possible on Friday and rain moving in again on Saturday. Sunday and Monday are expected to bring a mixture of sunshine and showers.

The warnings follow a prolonged spell of hot and exceptionally dry weather. Drought has been declared across nearly three-quarters of England and the whole of Wales, while the Met Office has said the UK is on course for its hottest summer on record after five heatwaves.

Temperatures reached 38.1C in London during the recent hot spell, but are expected to fall closer to seasonal averages over the weekend, with highs of around 22-25C.