More flooding expected as weather warnings issued

8 minutes ago

Ros TappendenSouth of England

News image — Firefighters rescued three people from vehicles stuck in floodwater on Wednesday

DWFRS A long narrow stretch of flooded road lined with trees and hedgerows. In the distance, firefighters in orange waders are guiding a raft with a person on board away from a partly submerged white van. — Firefighters rescued three people from vehicles stuck in floodwater on Wednesday

Flooding is expected in coastal areas and near rivers across Dorset as Storm Ingrid brings heavy rain and coastal gales to the south west of England.

Dorset Council warned that Portland Beach Road and causeway may need to close from 20:00 GMT due to "expected severe weather conditions".

The Environment Agency said flooding was expected at Ferry Bridge in Portland Harbour and at 13 other locations in the county.

The Sandbanks Ferry was also suspended in the morning "due to the weather and high tide". Operators said they would review the situation throughout the day.

Work on Portland Ferry Bridge has been paused for safety reasons and the temporary traffic lights switched off until Monday.

Dorset Council View of a flooded road at night taken from inside a vehicle. The white bonnet and windscreen wipers are visible at the bottom of the screen. Deep water lit up by street lights stretches out into the distance. — Portland Beach Road recently closed for several hours during Storm Goretti

Dorset Council said areas most at risk on Portland included the A354 Chiswell, Brandy Row, Pebble Lane, Victoria Square up to the junction with Queens Road, the car parks along the A354 and the yard along Lerret Road.

"Teams are currently on site, closely monitoring the road, weather conditions, and local water levels," a spokesperson said.

Other flood warnings include parts of the Stour, Avon and Frome rivers, parts of Poole, Portland, Lyme Regis and Christchurch harbours and at West Bay East Beach.

Groundwater is predicted to rise in the South Winterbourne Valley, Iwerne Minster, Hooke and Toller Pocorum, and flooding is expected to continue in Curry Moor and Hay Moor, according to the Environment Agency.

Environment Agency Environment Agency map of the Wareham area showing flood alert areas in orange and flood warning areas in red. A large area surrounding the river that runs from Poole Harbour, south of the town, is marked in red. — An Environment Agency map shows flood alert areas in orange and flood warning areas in red

Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council urged people to "avoid walking, cycling or driving through floodwater".

"There may be hazards under the water you can't see, or it may be a lot deeper than you realise," a spokesperson said.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue rescued three people from vehicles stranded in floodwater on Wednesday, at Hammoon and Holnest.

A spokesperson said: "If you are travelling in unfamiliar areas and come across flooded roads, please do not put yourself at risk by attempting to drive through it."