THE effects of Hurricane Bertha were felt across Worcestershire this morning as storms hit.

Heavy rainfall was accompanied by thunder and lightening during the storms, which ran from the early hours until around noon.

Although no serious incidents were reported, water supplier Severn Trent saw four-times the amount of calls compared to a usual Sunday.

James Jesic, waste water manager for Severn Trent, said more staff were on duty to keep and eye on areas "with a high risk of flooding".

“We were aware that this weather was coming and we’ve worked hard to get ready for it," he said.

“If you have flooding at your home, check to see if it’s just rainwater or if it’s sewage that has come from an overflowing sewer, possibly through a manhole cover in your garden or outside your property. 

"If it’s just rainwater, the flooding should subside when it stops raining, although it can take up to four hours for water to drain away, so be patient. 

"Where sewage is escaping this is obviously a priority for us, so please call us on 0800 783 4444 and we’ll get a team out to help as quickly as possible.  

“If you’re concerned about flooding from drains and gullies in the road, you should call the local council as they are responsible for road drainage, but again, we generally find that the flooding will go away when it stops raining.”

Meanwhile, weather forecasters were warning of more showers in the evening and overnight, into tomorrow morning.