The West Midlands is enduring its third consecutive day of flooding, with submerged high streets, evacuated premises and fresh weather warnings compounding the crisis across the region. Heavy rain and thunderstorms that began on Wednesday have triggered a cascade of incidents, from a burst water main in Wolverhampton to widespread property damage in Birmingham and beyond.
By Thursday, 55 properties in Birmingham had taken on water, some to depths of up to three feet (one metre). The flooding has forced closures at a theme park and multiple pubs, while some businesses have reported losing everything. Fresh storms arrived on Thursday evening, just as emergency crews were still managing the fallout from the initial deluge.
The most recent incident unfolded in Bilston, Wolverhampton, where a burst water main caused Church Street to flood. The street became submerged, and the nearby indoor market also took on water. According to local news reports, Wolverhampton City Council closed part of Church Street between Fleet Street and Walsall Street, with cordons expected to remain in place for several hours while the incident was managed.
Before 09:00 BST on 28 August, police cordoned off the street as workers from Severn Trent Water arrived to address the burst main. The utility company worked to isolate the damaged pipe and divert water to allow residents in flats above the scene to access their homes. According to reports on 28 August, repair work on the burst main was expected to be completed by 11:00 BST that morning. Some traders at one end of the street were subsequently able to reopen their businesses.
At the indoor market, supervisor Ken Bennett reported that flooding became apparent immediately upon opening the main shutters. He expressed concern that traders would be unhappy if unable to operate their units, yet noted the risk of allowing water into individual businesses if shutters were raised. However, confirmation came after 09:00 BST that the market site was fully operational.
The initial wave of heavy rain and thunderstorms struck the West Midlands on Wednesday. Fire crews responded across several streets in the Perry Barr area of Birmingham, while roads in the Burntwood area of Staffordshire became submerged. According to reports from 27 August, West Midlands Fire Service attended to significant flooding in Birmingham on that date. Rail services in the region experienced disruption on Thursday evening as further wet weather moved in.
What warnings are in place?
The Environment Agency has issued two flood warnings for the region on 28 August. One covers Smestow Brook at Hinksford, Staffordshire, where flooding could affect properties and roads. The second applies to Tanyard Stream in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, where rising water levels are expected to cause flooding around Clarendon Road. Both flood messages were due to be updated by 11:00 BST on 28 August.
Multiple lower-level flood alerts remain active across the region, covering areas including Birmingham, the Black Country, Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire. The Environment Agency had issued 22 flood alerts across the Midlands and South East on 27 August as the initial storm system moved through.
What advice has been given to residents?
Birmingham City Council urged people to take care and avoid walking, cycling or driving through flood water, recognising the dangers posed by submerged roads and streets. The scale of the flooding reflects the intensity of the storms that began on 27 August, with the Environment Agency continuing to monitor conditions across the affected areas.
What happens next?
Flood messages for both Hinksford and Clarendon Road are scheduled for updates by 11:00 BST on 28 August. Alerts are expected to remain in place for areas including the Upper Tame at Sandwell Valley and the River Rea in Birmingham as water levels stabilise. The Environment Agency will continue to assess conditions and issue updated guidance as the situation develops across the West Midlands.
