HEAVY rain, strong winds and high tides caused homes and businesses to flood and forced road closures across the county.

There were 35 reported incidents of flooding across the county yesterday after weather warnings were issued for the region.

Weymouth town centre was affected around the quayside and harbour in the morning.

Commercial Road and Custom House Quay were under several feet of water with pavements submerged and standing water in the multi-storey car park.

Residents in Commercial Road found their homes surrounded by water, which left behind sludge and debris when it subsided during the afternoon.

Ysanne Usherwood said waves were rolling down the streets in the town centre.

She said: “It was terrible and really deep.

“You couldn’t walk through it or drive down the road.

“It was running in waves along St Albans Street and going right along St Thomas Street.

“The car park by the waterfront was completely covered and it was almost to the top of the slipway.

“It was such a sight, and coming in actual waves like at the beach.”

Another resident Donald Hunt said this was the worst flooding to hit the area.

He said: “It does flood here quite often – I’ve seen it several times but this is the worst.”

Localised flooding and fallen trees branched caused disruption on the roads near Wareham.

Residents were evacuated from their homes and roads were closed when West Bay was swamped.

Police closed George Street and a handful of people were evacuated from properties as the River Brit overtopped its banks.

The footbridge near the Riverside Restaurant was flooded and police took the decision to close the road until the high water subsided.

PC Scott McGregor of the Bridport Safer Neighbourhood Team said that four of five people were advised to leave premises in and around George Street.