SHROPSHIRE Council is urging people to heed flood warnings as storm Franklin continues to cause severe disruption across the county, leaving many roads impassable and homes and businesses flooded.

A total of 20 flood Warnings, including at Melverley, Maesbury and around Llanymynech, plus 13 Flood Alerts – including Llanyblodwel – have been issued by the Environment Agency (EA) as of Monday morning, instructing those living near the county’s watercourses to take action or be prepared for flooding.

Shropshire Council’s highways teams are working around the clock to close roads and car parks and make sure people who need them have sandbags to protect their homes and businesses.

A flood warning has been issued for the River Vyrnwy at Maesbrook, Melverley and Llanymynech, as river levels continue to rise.

Flooding is expected to affect properties and roads in and around Melverley, including Melverley to Melverley Green and Ponthen to Melverley roads.

Flooding to properties and roads is also expected in and around Maesbrook.

Roads affected by the flooding are the B4398 near the canal at New Bridge, Llanymynech while the A483 between Llanymynech and Four Crosses, just south of Llanymynech Bridge, was also closed as of 8am.

A spokesman added: "The council is urging people to only and travel if they need to and not to, under any circumstances, enter flood water."