THE River Severn at Bewdley is falling slowly after a night of uncertainty which saw homes evacuated to prepare for flooding.

Levels have dropped by 3cm since peaking at around 3am this morning, but response teams remain stationed in Bewdley as flood warnings remain in place.

Due to uncertainty about the level of rainfall expected over the next 48 hours, the Environment Agency remains on site at Beales Corner, where temporary barriers are still holding.

Superintendent Mark Colquhoun, from West Mercia Police, said: "Based on information from the Environment Agency, the River Severn in Bewdley peaked at around 3am this morning and water levels are now expected to reduce slowly throughout the day.

"There remains some uncertainty about rainfall over the next 48 hours and the impact this will have, so the Environment Agency continue to monitor the situation and we continue to work with our partner agencies to ensure appropriate arrangements are in place to support our communities.

Kidderminster Shuttle: The River Severn in Bewdley this morning. Photo by @IanJonesEAThe River Severn in Bewdley this morning. Photo by @IanJonesEA

“Last night, due to information from the Environment Agency on potential consequences from rising water levels, a number of properties deemed to possibly be at risk were visited and given advice.

"A refuge centre was set up, however no-one stayed there overnight. That has been stood down, but will be re-established if needed as the situation changes.

“We would like to thank everyone for their co-operation and patience during what is clearly a very difficult time.

"I would also urge members of the public to take notice of the safety advice being provided – please don’t venture into flood water as there are many hidden dangers, and please respect road closures, as they are there for your safety.”

At Beales Corner earlier, Bewdley Fire Station Watch Commander Rod Maiden said: "It's peaked at the moment, I think it will run off fairly quick once it gets going. 

"We are just trying to keep people away from the area at the moment. 

"It looked like the barrier might fail last night so we were on watch overnight." 

"We are lucky that it's half term, because it's taken a lot of traffic off the roads."

"We were at the station at Bewdley last night and we were constantly having to go out to isolated cottages."

Wyvern Omnibus is operating a free link bus service in Bewdley while the bridge is closed today. The 1956 double decker bus is running from the Black Boy pub down Kidderminster Road, around the bypass and into Bewdley town centre.

Catch up on our live updates from last night here.