Storm Claudia: Villagers and Emergency Crews Rally as West Midlands Battles Severe Flooding

Storm Claudia batters the West Midlands

Storm Claudia brought intense downpours to the West Midlands, leaving roads submerged, rail services disrupted and communities scrambling to protect homes, businesses and livestock.

Community response and rescues

In Herefordshire, villagers, volunteers and fire crews worked through the night pumping water from buildings and rescuing stranded animals and people. Floodwater moved 'like a river' through Ewyas Harold, causing record-high water levels in the village centre and damaging homes and shops.

Sophie Wareing, owner of the village shop, said much of her stock was ruined but praised the community cleanup: 'We didn't even put a plea out, people just turned up.' She added it was essential the shop reopened quickly because many elderly residents rely on it.

'It changed very quickly from "let's see if we can save it" to "we now need to get people out",' said Claire, a lifelong resident trained by the local fire service. 'The water was over waist deep and the current was just colossal. We were having to pin each other down into the water to try to stop ourselves from getting taken off by the current.'

Herefordshire firefighters also assisted with rescue efforts in Monmouth after the South Wales Rescue Service declared a major incident owing to widespread flooding. Landlord Mark Benthan of The Bridge Inn in Michaelchurch Ecclesley described water pouring through walls and called the situation 'the sort you only see once in living memory,' but said a 'monumental rally round' allowed him to plan a reopening the following afternoon.

Flood warnings, barriers and rainfall

Flood warnings and less severe flood alerts remained in place across the region. Temporary flood barriers were installed in Bewdley, Worcestershire, and Frankwell, Shrewsbury. The Met Office recorded 80.6 mm of rain at the Suckley gauge in Worcestershire in the 12 hours to 06:00 GMT on Saturday, contributing to high river levels and localised flash flooding.

Transport and events disrupted

Commuters in and around Birmingham experienced significant disruption. Train services were interrupted by flooded lines and fallen trees; West Midlands Railway introduced rail replacement buses between Walsall and Rugeley Trent Valley after overhead electric wires were damaged. Buses and cars struggled through deep water — passengers reported water entering a bus in the Bournville Lane tunnel, while sections of Stratford Road (Sparkhill) and Green Road (Hall Green) saw water levels reported around 1.22 m (4 ft).

In Warwickshire, police warned motorists not to drive through floodwater after Kenilworth Ford reached the 1.22 m marker. Other road closures included Princes Drive in Leamington Spa, where two cars became stranded, and the A44 near Little Compton, blocked by a fallen tree.

Across the West Midlands several Parkruns scheduled for Saturday morning were cancelled because courses were flooded or blocked by fallen trees, including Beacon Parkrun in Lichfield and Cannock Chase Parkrun.

Local perspective

Residents and local experts warned river levels remained high and that small changes in the storm's path could have produced far worse outcomes in places such as Tenbury Wells. Despite the damage, community spirit and rapid local response were widely praised as people worked through the night to secure properties and support vulnerable neighbours.

Follow local updates — emergency services urged residents to heed flood warnings, avoid driving through floodwater and follow official advice as recovery and clean-up continue.