Four Birmingham areas warned 'flooding to properties imminent' as heavy rain closes roads

Heavy and persistent rain has started to fall across Birmingham causing rush-hour traffic and public transport chaos

Heavy rain across Birmingham tonight has caused road closures and traffic chaos in the city as homeowners in several areas were warned their properties were expected to flood. Downpours hit the city shortly before rush hour on Thursday (September 26) evening leading to a number of roads being closed, buses being diverted and rail services being stopped.

The Met Office had issued an amber warning for rain, which it said was set to hit the region between 6pm on Thursday and 6am on Friday. But the deluges came a little sooner with roads becoming flooded around an hour before.

The national weather agency said: “Some places, especially across central and eastern parts of the warning area, are likely to receive 30 to 40mm in three hours or less, and perhaps 50 to 60mm or more in around six hours. This rain will fall onto already saturated ground and affect communities recovering from recent flooding. Travel disruption and further flooding is likely, with rivers continuing to rise after the rain clears.”

Read more: Road closures and flood alerts live as heavy rain hits Birmingham

The Environment Agency issued ‘imminent flood’ warnings to homes in Selly Oak, Edgbaston, Bournville and Stirchley. It said in Selly Oak: “River levels have risen at the Lodge Hill Elford Road river gauge as a result of heavy rainfall. Consequently, flooding is imminent. We expect flooding to affect properties around Wentworth Way, Derry Close, Osmaston Road, Arosa Drive, Burnel Road and the A38 Aston Webb Boulevard.

It warned those in Bournville: “River levels have risen at the Bournville Woodbrook Road river gauge as a result of heavy rainfall. Consequently, flooding of property, roads and farmland is expected this evening. We expect flooding to affect properties around Bond Street Birmingham.”

While by the River Rea in Edgbaston flooding was ‘expected’ with the warning saying: “River levels have risen at the Selly Park river gauge as a result of heavy rainfall. Consequently, flooding of property is imminent. We expect flooding to affect properties and roads in the Tally Ho to Constance Road areas.”

And at the Stirchley section of the River Rea, the Environment Agency said: “River levels have risen at the Longbridge river gauge as a result of heavy rainfall. Consequently, flooding (of property) is imminent. We expect flooding to affect properties and roads in the Cartland Road and Dogpool Lane areas, the Avenues and Sir John's Road areas.”

National Express West Midlands posted a number of updates confirming road closures in Northfield, particularly the main A38 Bristol Road South. West Midlands Roads confirmed Sir Herbert Austin Way, also the A38, was closed. There were also closures in Bournville, Turves Green, West Heath and Kings Heath.

Cars became stranded in Umberslade Road in Stirchley and Trittiford Road in Yardley Wood. And rail services were stopped between Shrewsbury and Wolverhampton, Solihull and Birmingham and Hall Green and the city centre.

With all the alerts the Environment Agency said: “Further rainfall is forecast this evening and overnight. We expect river levels to remain high until tomorrow morning.

“We are closely monitoring the situation. Our incident response staff are actively checking river levels and the weather forecast. Please plan driving routes to avoid low lying roads near rivers, which may be flooded and avoid contact with flood water.”

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The Met Office said: “Keep yourself and others safe; prepare to avoid travelling by road during potentially dangerous road conditions. If you must travel, ensure you watch for possible danger and drive cautiously.

“It is not safe to drive, walk or swim through floodwater, avoid it where possible and if you are affected by fast flowing or deep-water call 999, and wait for help.”