Worcester Vista - a view of Worcester, articles and photos about the City of Worcester

Flooding in Worcester

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Floods in Worcester

After a few weeks of heavy continuous downpour in the Welsh Mountains, the Severn becomes a raging torrent, flooding farmland and isolating communities on the floodplain.

A number of houses are affected and several roads are closed in Worcester, when the Severn is in flood. The first road to be flooded is South Parade, followed by Hylton road and Diglis. Hylton Road is usually the first main road to be closed, causing chaos to commuters travelling from the north west, who have to take a detour through ST. Johns.

This year was a little different because new flood barriers were erected, they look like metal pallets covered in plastic, but they seem to work. However there is another problem, sewage is forced back up the drains, causing the road to be flooded with effluent.

In south quay, swans glide around Browns Restaurant with the Cathedral towering above, in the shadow of the college, and Glovers needle, it makes a tranquil scene and a great attraction for visitors.

During the last floods New Road was closed, as this is the main route from ST. Johns in to the City, it caused mayhem. The only way to get into the town was to have a lift with the territorial army, who were pressed into helping, ferrying people across in small lorries.
getting into work from the villages west of Worcester was very difficult. This year the floods have not been so bad, yet.

The Severn

The Severn rises in the Welsh Mountains, passing through Shrewsbury, Bridgenorth and Bewdley before reaching Worcester. At Powick, Just below Worcester, the River Teme converges. Bevere Lock and island is situated three miles north of the city. The Worcester and Birmingham canal, join one mile south at Diglis Lock. The Severn way is a long distance path following the river from its source to the sea, a distance of 210 miles.