Heavy rain and snow causes disruption across region

Heavy rainfall and overnight snow have caused widespread disruption across the West Midlands.

Yellow weather warnings for rain, snow and ice, as well as a number of flood warnings, were in place across the region on Monday.

Rail and road travel were disrupted and dozens of schools were closed with Staffordshire most impacted, largely due to snow.

People's homes have also been affected by flooding, including those living in Wolston, Warwickshire.

Resident Shân Dobinson said she was stranded upstairs in her house in the village due to the flooding downstairs.

"It's now thigh-deep where our cars were," she told BBC CWR.

"We can't get in or out, we're totally stranded. We're still waiting for sandbags, the fire service is here but there's nothing they can do – and all our electrics have gone as well."

It came almost a year after properties in the village were heavily damaged by flooding brought by Storm Henk.

In Coventry, John Mcmellion said he was left stranded on Balsall Street after his engine became flooded.

"I'm in a transit van and it's up to the door," he told BBC CWR.

"The police have been out to see me and say they can't do anything about it."

Meanwhile, the snowfall in Staffordshire caused issues for people trying to get to hospital.

The University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, which runs County Hospital, Stafford, and the Royal Stoke University Hospital, said its staff and patients had been affected.

Dr Mark Poulson, deputy chief medical officer, told BBC Radio Stoke: "We had to support staff getting into hospital by using 4x4s - sending them out to help bring them in."

He said they had done what they could to make the hospitals safe for patients, including making sure the sites were clear of snow.

"It's been a difficult morning, but services have continued as normal," he added.

The weather conditions led to 45 schools being closed in Staffordshire, with several in south Cheshire also forced to shut.

Four schools in Telford also delayed opening until later on Monday, and The Bridge School was fully closed for the day, according to the council.

The railways were also affected by the flooding, including the line between Birmingham Snow Hill and Stratford-upon-Avon.

Replacement buses were operating between Shirley and Stratford-upon-Avon, according to West Midlands Rail.

Lines were closed between Hereford and Worcester Shrub Hill stations due to heavy rainfall but have since reopened.

A number of roads in the region were forced to close too, with Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Staffordshire and Warwickshire the worst affected.

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