Dorset remains on flood alert after a prolonged spell of heavy rain has left routes blocked and resulted in river levels rising, posing a threat to communities.
Portland remains on flood alert and people are being urged to keep away from Chesil Beach as large waves throw shingle onto the Beach Road.
See our story here.
However residents will be breathing a sigh of relief as a weather warning for heavy rain due to last until midday today has been cancelled.
While there will be some showers around, the forecast is for a mainly dry day with sunny intervals.
Flood warnings – meaning flooding is expected and immediate action is required – remain in place for some Dorset rivers and streams including the Hooke (Kingcombe, Toller Porcorum), the Upper Frome from Maiden Newton to Dorchester, Lower Frome from Dorchester to East Stoke, Sydling, Cerne Valley, South Winterbourne Valley, Devils Brook (Ansty, Cheselbourne and Dewlish) – and the River Stour in North Dorset, which burst its banks yesterday.
Flooding is affecting the road at Winterbourne Came today and also at Lower Burton near Dorchester.
There were also reports of flooding in Puddletown last night, and Blandford Road is now closed due to flooding near The Blue Vinney.
#Puddletown this evening, #flooding across the road @TheBlueVinny. If approaching village from #A35 please be aware there is a huge puddle/flood which can’t be seen when exiting bypass. Approach with caution. (North brook exit closest to Vinney) #dorset #flood #Traffic pic.twitter.com/2Fuz2zOzjh
— Laura Bough (@bough_laura) December 21, 2019
Flooding at Puddletown Sunday Picture: Laura Bough
Mill Lane at Sturminster Marshall is closed due to flooding from the Stour.
Mill Lane, Sturminster Marshall most certainly still CLOSED due to flooding. https://t.co/YrSfIbfn31
— Travel Dorset (@TravelDorset) December 21, 2019
Fire crews from Sherborne and Yeovil were sent to rescue a car stuck in one foot of flood water on Saturday night.
Firefighters successfully pushed the vehicle out of and rescued the occupant in the incident near Milborne Port. (Picture below)
Picture: Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service
There were reports of flooding yesterday on the A35 Dorchester bypass between A352 (West Stafford turn off) and A354 turnign to Weymouth. Drivers were urged to approach with care.
Dorset Council Highways said at midday yesterday it would be temporarily closing the South Causeway between Wareham and Stoborough. This is due to flooding from the River Frome breaching the highway at the Wareham end of the causeway.
Blandford Road was also closed as a result of flooding near The Blue Vinny, Puddletown.
Meanwhile, Corfe Road is closed due to flooding between B3070 West Street (Wareham) and West Lane (Stoborough).
Whitemill, Sturminster Marshall after the River Stour burst its banks Picture: Mike Tutt Photography (Echo Camera Club)
Yesterday, a landslide blocked the Waterloo-Exeter line which goes through north Dorset. The blockage happened in the Templecombe area in Somerset. See our story here
Despite continuous warnings to not drive through floodwater, motorists have again been attempting to negotiate impassable flood-hit roads, even ignoring road closed signs in some areas.
Please do not attempt to drive through floods. Domestic vehicles could stall or start to float in 6-12" of water.
— Travel Dorset (@TravelDorset) December 19, 2019
If you get trapped, you may need rescuing, which stretches demands on the emergency services.
And if a road is closed, please don't ignore the signs. #dorsetweather pic.twitter.com/JLf1e5FRIX
Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS), Dorset Police and other partner agencies have issued a stern warning.
DWFRS Group Manager, Tim Gray said: “Very often, surface water doesn’t appear very deep but there can be unseen dips in the road which then catch drivers unaware. There is also a risk of drivers in larger vehicles driving through water without dropping their speed, which then creates a ‘bow wave’ effect – and this can cause significant risks for other vehicles. While this wet weather continues, please drive to the conditions and be particularly cautious at fords, where water levels can rise a lot in a short space of time.”
Meanwhile, Dorset Council is encouraging people to stay safe along the Jurassic Coast as rockfalls can happen at any time. The risk is increased after a prolonged period of rain.
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