Rescue teams have been searching for stranded residents in their flood-hit homes today as the raging River Severn burst its banks.
Most homeowners heeded warnings and evacuated their riverside properties as the water peaked at near record levels.
Temporary emergency barriers in Bewdley, Worcs, were overwhelmed by the torrent of water heading downstream.
Dozens of homes and businesses were left flooded at Beales Corner, on the eastern side of the picturesque tourist town.
It was the fourth time in the past two years that water levels on the River Severn have topped 5m in Bewdley.
Fed-up local residents have repeatedly asked PM Boris Johnson to upgrade flood defences.
One couple, who did not want to be named, spent all night desperately trying to keep water out of their riverside cafe.
Fire crews waded through waist-deep water and used a rescue boat to conduct welfare checks on residents in flood-hit homes.
Volunteers from the Severn Area Rescue Association also checked on people who were forced to move to the upper floors of their homes.
The Environment Agency had issued a rare severe “danger to life” flood warning for the town.
Levels peaked at 5.33m at lunchtime, with barriers protecting the main part of Bewdley holding firm.
But the Environment Agency said the area continues to face a “significant flooding risk”.
Area incident manager Nick Green said it had been “incredibly frightening” for locals in Bewdley.
Mark Garnier, the local Tory MP, said plans are underway to provide permanent flood barriers for Beales Corner.
He said they “cannot be delivered overnight” but hopes work will be completed “by the end of next year”.
In Ironbridge, Shrops, locals were also breathing a sigh of relief as levels peaked overnight without breaching temporary barriers.
Telford and Wrekin Council leader Shaun Davies said it was only through the “grace of God” that the barriers had not been breached.
He said: “This is the third consecutive year where these barriers have been put under significant strain.
“We will be lobbying the government over the weeks and months ahead for a more permanent solution.”
Several families with homes on unprotected stretches of the river in Ironbridge were once again flooded.
Dozens of flood warnings and alerts remain in place after a string of downpours during the recent storms.
Met Office forecasters said weather is expected to stay unsettled over the next few days.
They issued yellow warnings for wind, snow and lightning across northern England, Scotland and Northern Ireland yesterday.
But they said there was nothing in the forecast for the next week to suggest the UK could be hit by another named storm.
The Energy Networks Association said 1,800 customers are still without power as a result of the storms.
The family of a man killed when a tree fell on the truck he was in during Storm Eunice paid tribute to him yesterday (Weds).
Jack Bristow, 23, died in the tragedy during the record-breaking storm in Alton, Hants, on Friday.
He was sitting in the passenger seat of the flatbed truck when it was crushed by the “enormous tree”.
Jack was described by his heartbroken family in a statement as a “much-loved” dad-of-one.
Highways worker Callum Smith, who was driving the truck, was seriously injured and remains in hospital in a stable condition.
