STORM watchers put their lives at risk to watch huge waves pounding the Dorset coast, authorities said.

As Storm Brian lashed the county on Saturday blocking roads and railways and bringing down trees, gale-force winds whipped up massive waves which drew people to popular wave-watching locations such as Portland Bill and West Bay.

Coastguards said some people got far too close and got drenched as they watched the waves crash into Pulpit Rock.

The Environment Agency also warned that onlookers were getting close to the waves at West Bay.

Thrill-seekers are again being advised not to take unnecessary risks to watch or photograph dramatic moments along the coastline.

Wyke Coastguard officers on a routine safety trip to the Bill came across a group at Pulpit Rock putting themselves in danger.

A spokesman said: “Sounding our siren to alert them of our presence soon made the group aware of the danger they were in, quickly making their way back to safety.

“Needless to say, strong safety advice was given shortly afterwards.”

Meanwhile, trees were uprooted and debris was blown across roads and beaches as 50mph winds battered the county throughout Saturday.

Coastal communities were on flood alert as Brian, the second named storm of the season blew in, coinciding with high tides.

Dorset Echo:

Waves at Portland Bill by Andrew Holdsworth

Environment Agency teams worked around the clock to check flood defences and took precautionary measures such as closing tidal gates.

Teams were out and about ready to respond to flooding.

Despite huge waves dumping spray and pebbles onto roads and promenades and authorities on standby to close Portland Beach Road and Preston Beach Road no major damage was reported and the routes were kept open.

Dorset Echo:

Big waves at Portland by Peter Staddon

Authorities issued warnings for people to drive safely due to debris on the road and standing water building up.

Trees were brought down in various locations around the county including at Morden Park Corner blocking the A35, at Basan Hill on the A354 near Milborne St Andrew and at Winterborne Monkton.

The back road between Winterborne Herringston and Winterborne Monkton was also partially blocked by a BT line that had come loose, police said.

On the railway, a tree blocked the line between Southampton and Fareham, which had a knock-on effect on Weymouth-Waterloo services in the Southampton area.

South Western Railway later suspended services between Weymouth and Bournemouth due to the severe weather.

Some sporting fixtures and events had to be cancelled due to the high winds.

Dorset Echo:

Watching the waves from a safe distance at Chiswell on Portland by Finnbarr Webster

Bosses at Condor Ferries cancelled trips from Poole because of the storm.

A replica of George III’s bathing machine on display on the traffic island next to the King’s Statue in Weymouth was blown into the road (picture below by Roy Thorpe).

Dorset Echo:

Police said officers were alerted at 7.30am and managed to put the machine back in its place. The spokesman said the machine had been moved by the wind rather than by vandals.

There will be a misty start today with outbreaks of rain forecast but it should clear in the afternoon.

Lucky escape for dog owner

By Sam Beamish

EYE-witnesses told how a dog owner was almost dragged out to sea after he tried to rescue his pet which was knocked over by a powerful wave.

The incident happened at Bowleaze Cove on Saturday as Storm Brian battered the coast.

Onlookers told how the dog owner had to be rescued after being overcome by powerful waves.

Caroline Hales, a bystander, was walking her two springer spaniels along the beach with her partner when they saw the dog owner get taken off his feet and pounded by waves.

She explained: “We were just doing our normal walk along the beach when we saw it happen.

“We were quite a distance away, but I looked up and saw a small white dog running towards the waves as they were going out.

“The owner then ran after his dog and a wave washed in and took them both of them off their feet. The dog was then carried back on the beach by the shore but the owner couldn’t get back to his feet and was repeatedly pounded by waves.

“A gentleman ran in and rescued the owner. He managed to get him out of the sea and on to the shore where he was sat down and helped.” “The owner was left shocked by the ordeal but he was taken care of and his dog was running up and down the beach soon afterwards.”

Ms Hales added: “9/10 times dogs are able to get out of the sea regardless of the conditions. But people aren’t always able to. Some people haven’t swum in years. I think the owner must have panicked and ran after his dog.

“It was shocking to see. When will people learn, a stormy sea is an unforgiving sea. Watch from a distance and keep dogs on leads. I would never let my dogs get that close to the sea in those conditions.”

It comes after the Environment Agency warned people of the dangers of getting too close to waves.

Rachel Jacobs from the EA said: “Strong winds pose a risk of waves over-topping defences and whilst coastal storms can look dramatic, we strongly advise against ‘wave watching’ or taking ‘storm selfies’.