“As if a tsunami had raged” – 50 people trapped by horror flood in shopping center

50 customers and employees trapped in flooding Primark in Birmingham after torrential rain hits UK

Around 50 customers and employees were trapped in a Primark store in Birmingham city center when torrential rain caused the River Rea to burst its banks.

The flooding happened at around 6.30pm on Tuesday (June 28) as thunderstorms battered the city.

Dramatic footage showed water pouring into the store as shoppers and staff wade through the water with umbrellas up.

People had to be rescued from cars

Firefighters rescued around 20 people from their cars after they became trapped in floodwater near the River Rea.

West Midlands Fire Service said it had 20 pumps and around 100 firefighters out at various incidents across the city on Tuesday evening.

The fire service said at around 10pm that it had scaled back its response to allow Severn Trent to fix the burst water main which had caused the flooding.

More rain is expected

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms in the West Midlands on Wednesday.

The warning is in place from 11am to 11pm.

The Met Office said: “There is a chance that homes and businesses could be flooded quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes, hail or strong winds.

“Where flooding or lightning strikes occur, there is a chance of delays and some cancellations to train and bus services. Spray and sudden flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures.”