WEST Mercia Police is warning people in Herefordshire that a "significant number of areas" are still at risk of further flooding as river levels are expected to rise again.

There are still two flood warnings in force in the county, meaning the Environment Agency (EA) is warning people that flooding is expected and immediate action is required.

These are for the river Lugg at Hampton Bishop and the river Wye from Hay-on-Wye to Hereford

The warning for Hampton Bishop remains in force because a large amount of water remains on the flood plain, the EA said.

"River levels at the Lugwardine river gauge are expected to remain between 2.7 metres and 2.8 metres for the next few days. Further rainfall is forecast for the next 48 hours."

EA officers are closely monitoring the situation, but the advice to drivers is still to plan routes to avoid low lying roads near rivers, which may be flooded, and avoid contact with flood water.

As for the river Wye, the water level is rising at the Bredwardine river gauge as a result of recent rainfall, but are beginning to fall at Hay-on-Wye.

"Flooding is likely to affect properties and roads in and around Hay-on-Wye and Hereford areas including multiple stretches of the A438 between Letton, Willersley and Whitney-on-Wye.

"Road closures and diversions on the main A438 may be in force."

Flood alerts:

  • River Lugg north of Leominster
  • River Lugg south of Leominster
  • River Wye in Herefordshire

Meanwhile West Mercia Police has issued a statement from deputy chief constable of Julian Moss, on behalf of the multi-agency flood response across Herefordshire.

He said that although river levels in some areas are dropping, but communities should be aware of further flooding.

"We wanted to bring our communities an up-to-date picture of what we are potentially expecting for the next 12 to 24 hours," he said.

"Unfortunately due to the rain over the weekend both here and particularly in the Welsh hills, and further weather expected over the coming days, we could see some areas experience further flooding issues.

"It is encouraging that in some areas of Herefordshire we are starting to see some water levels recede significantly and some villages and towns are now entering into the recovery and clean-up phase.

"However, it is very important that communities acknowledge that there are still a significant number of areas not only subject to continued flooding but that we are expecting additional rain over the coming days and into the weekend, so we might see the levels in the Wye and the Lugg rise again, particularly around Mordiford and Ross-on-Wye."