Flooding in Streetly

Hundreds of people living in part of the Black Country had to be rescued from their homes after a serious flood.

Up to 150 houses on the Blackwood Estate in Streetly were affected when a mains water pipe from Barr Beacon Reservoir burst at 5.30am on Saturday.

Around 60 firefighters helped in the rescue effort, they had a boat on standby. Station Commander Sean Moore appealed on Heart for residents to stay upstairs when the flood waters first broke as they worked to cut the power supply to the area.

In some homes Heart was told that the water was nearly a meter deep.

Sue Allen lives on the Aldridge Road and told Heart: "The water came down from the highest point at Barr Beacon and flooded properties as it came down the hill."

An emergency rest centre is being set up by Walsall Council for those families made homeless as a result of the flooding, where residents are being offered food and warm drinks during the day. They are also being offered emergency accommodation over night.

South Staffs Water are investigating what happened and will be at the Foley Arms pub car park from 8am-6pm on Monday the 14th November to help residents with their claims.

Council leader Mike Bird said: "Clearly our first priority is to ensure the families affected by this incident are looked after and are safe and well. We are liaising very closely with the emergency services who are at the scene."

West Midlands Ambulance Service has been at the scene of a flooding. A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “A couple of houses were in three-to-four feet of water; the others less so. Many of the homes were evacuated with residents staying at a nearby welfare centre where food and drink was being provided.

“One man received an electric shock as he stood in the water. As a precaution, he was taken to Good Hope Hospital for further checks. A woman who had fallen had a very minor head injury that was treated at the scene.

“West Midlands Ambulance Service’s Hazardous Area Response Team were dressed in dry-suits and carried personal protective equipment to enable them to get into the water and assist the fire service who were running a boat in the more flooded areas. They continued to support the fire service until they were stood down from the scene shortly after 12.30pm today.”