With more heavy rain and winds forecast for the rest of today and into the weekend, West Midlands Ambulance Service is urging the public to take some simple precautions to stay safe.

The ambulance service continues to liaise closely with fellow emergency services and the Environment Agency in flood hit areas of the Region. Additional vehicles with 4×4 capabilities are also on standby to provide further resilience if needed.

WMAS Assistant Chief Ambulance Officer, Steve Wheaton, said: “We would ask all members of the public to follow the advice of the Environment Agency and other emergency services and stay away from flood control channels, rivers, streams and other waterways at this time.

“The forecasted strong wind and heavy rain will no doubt make driving conditions treacherous. Please take extra care if you are out on the Region’s roads this weekend and keep up-to-date with road closures via your local radio stations and council websites. However tempting it is, we urge motorists to avoid driving through flooded roads.

“Not heeding the many safety warnings puts lives at risk, including ambulance staff and other emergency service personnel called to provide a service in these most challenging of conditions.

“Please only call 999 for life threatening emergencies.  For less urgent cases of illness, injury or pre-existing conditions, the public are advised to consider alternative medical assistance such as their GP, NHS 111, visit a walk-in centre or consult a pharmacist.”