A severe flood warning, meaning there is a danger to life, has just been issued for the River Severn at the Wharfage in Ironbridge and locals are advised to follow the advice of local officials and emergency services.

Heavy rain has fallen on already wet catchments and caused rivers to swell.

In Greater Manchester, the overnight operation of the flood storage basins prevented 580 homes from flooding despite record river levels overnight. While a handful of properties have sadly flooded over the past few days, Environment Agency defences have protected more than 40,000 properties from flooding.

Over the coming days, the risk of flooding in the Midlands and Yorkshire poses the greatest threat to communities. As of 1.50pm, there is 1 severe flood warning in place, meaning there is a danger to life, 147 flood warnings in place, meaning that flooding is expected, and 142 flood alerts, meaning that flooding is likely.

The Environment Agency has been working over the past week to prepare for the reasonable worst case impacts of Storm Eunice and Storm Franklin, planning for all scenarios to help keep communities and people safe.

Teams have been out on the ground to erect barriers and clear screens to help mitigate potential flooding impacts. Members of the public are also being urged to sign up for free flood warnings and ensure they know what to do in case of flooding.

Katharine Smith, flood duty manager at the Environment Agency, said: “We are still facing a significant flooding risk, and we are urging people to remain vigilant and take extreme care. Heavy rain, affecting already wet areas, is likely to cause significant river flooding along the River Severn until Wednesday.

“We have teams out on the ground taking preventative action, closing flood gates, deploying temporary barriers and moving pumps and other response equipment to areas of highest risk.

“While a handful of properties have sadly flooded over the past few days, Environment Agency defences have protected more than 40,000 properties despite record river levels.

“We advise people to stay away from swollen rivers and not to drive through flood water as just 30cm of flowing water is enough to move your car.”