A FLOOD alert is in force for Herefordshire as river levels rise as a result of heavy rainfall.

The Environment Agency said river levels are forecast to rise at the Hay-On-Wye river gauge, with flooding of property, roads and farmland expected to begin between 2pm and 4pm today (September 20)

Flooding is expected to affect low-lying land and roads along the river Wye from Hay on Wye to Ross on Wye. Other locations that may be affected include the A438, Byford, Bredwardine and Hereford.

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The river is predicted to peak at 2.2 to 2.5m this evening in Hay-on-Wye, 4.0m to 4.2m at Bredwardine overnight, 4.0m to 4.2m at Belmont overnight, 3.5m to 3.8m at the Old Wye Bridge tomorrow morning, and 3.2m to 3.5m at Ross-on-Wye tomorrow afternoon.

The Environment Agency said they expect river levels to remain high until tomorrow night, and that the situation is being closely monitored.

Please avoid using low-lying footpaths near local watercourses and avoid contact with flood water.