More flood warnings as groundwater levels rise

Residents in parts of Dorset are being warned to prepare for more flooding as groundwater levels continue to rise.

Some areas are still facing disruption after heavy rainfall caused rivers, streams and sewers to overflow - flooding homes and businesses and blocking roads.

Now groundwater, which tends to rise in the days after heavy rain, is threatening 32 different areas in the county.

Dorset Council said water levels were so high that they have peaked above the measurement scale of gauge boards, with many households experiencing groundwater flooding for the first time.

Place services councillor Jon Andrews said groundwater flooding was "very difficult to deal with and being prepared is key".

"Measures like sandbagging will not work, and people need to act now to protect themselves and their properties," he said.

The authority said only one in three at-risk properties were signed up to receive flood warnings and it urged people to register.

Environment Agency area environment manager Jim Flory said: "Flooding is associated with rapid rise in water levels due to heavy rainfall but groundwater flooding can creep up on you, catching you unawares due to its peculiar nature to rise through the ground often days after the last rainfall.

"We have not seen so much groundwater in Dorset and Wiltshire since 2013/14 and it will hang around a lot longer than typical floodwater as it will constantly rise when pumped away.

"Prevention is the best method when dealing with groundwater flooding and we have information online on how to do that."

Dorset Council said a lead-in time was needed to protect properties from groundwater flooding.

It said measures could include having a well-maintained pump to keep water levels low.

Groundwater flooding also brings an increased risk of sewage being pushed overground.

The authority said it was working with Wessex Water to deal with reports of sewage flooding in the county.