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Traveller site hit by 'unprecedented' flooding

Stuart RustSouth of England
News imageDorset Police Three firefighters are stood in conversation next to a patch of land flooded with water and a red van with the word 'Fire' printed on the back in large letters. The surroundings are rural, with several bare trees and green fields in the background. To the left of the van is a green sign that reads "Thornicombe Park". Dorset Police
Dorset Council said 31 people remained at the site and generators had been provided

A traveller site has been partially evacuated after it was hit by "unprecedented" flooding.

Dorset Council said some vulnerable residents were taken to safety after Thornicombe Park, near Blandford Forum, flooded earlier.

Environment manager Giles Nicholson said generators had been provided and 31 people who remained at the site were being supported to "ensure their safety and comfort".

Severe flooding has affected areas across the county after Storm Chandra swept through the region.

News imageDorset Police A police care is parked on a long country road. Further along the road, an ambulance and fire engine are also parked and their lights are flashing. Some other cars can be seen in the distance. Beside the road are trees and fields.Dorset Police
Police helped manage traffic on a nearby road while teams supported residents

Resident Steve Ford said: "I've been here 25 years and have never seen anything like this. This is horrendous.

"And we've got more rain to come so I think we're going to see this again."

Dorset Police assisted with traffic management on the A354 while firefighters and council workers helped residents.

"This is unprecedented. We've had a small amount of flooding here but it's never really affected anything," Nicholson said.

"But today, the homes are at risk, and they're quite vulnerable, being park homes. If they get wet, it really has a very destructive effect on them."

He added that sandbags had been used to try to prevent further flooding in the area.

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