River Wey bursts banks and swamps woman's Weymouth home

As the county experienced heavy downpours yesterday, the River Wey burst its banks. In the space of an hour, Sue Pykett's Dorchester Road home had flooded.

It was the eighth time it had done so since December.

Ten firefighters were tasked with draining the house which sits next to a stream between Upwey and Broadwey.

Mrs Pykett said: "At about 7.30am, the stream looked glorious. At about 8.30ish I heard a noise and wondered what it was. It was the water rushing through. It was as quick as that. I didn't know what to do, I just thought 'not again.'

"Since I woke up I've felt every emotion possible," said Sue. "It is devastating. You wouldn't think such an innocuous little stream could do so much damage. It's never been quite as bad as this - I'm worried about what will happen next time."

Although her home has flooded several times recently, Mrs Pykett says prior to this, it has flooded once before since 1981.

"I think the new road has had an effect on it," she said.

After calling the fire service, two crews from Weymouth attended and made an improvised dam. They used portable pumps to try and divert the water from the property, while the local authority provided sandbags.

Beneath the floorboards, 12 inches of water could be measured and, as her lawn became submerged, fast-flowing water gushed into the back garden.

"I'm every so grateful to the fire brigade - they came so quickly. My neighbours have been fantastic, offering to help. "

Charlie Pack, station manager at Weymouth, said excess water from the ridgeway accumulated in the stream.

He said advice to residents who live in areas which flood is to continue to monitor the Environment Agency's flood warnings, turn off gas and electric supplies and move any irreplaceable and sentimental items to the first floor, if possible.

Advice from the fire service is to:

• If you live by a river, make sure you are clear on your rights and responsibilities by downloading the Environment Agency guide ‘Living On The Edge’.
• Get sandbags to block doors and airbricks. You can get these from a builders’ merchants or your local council may be able to provide advice. Alternatively, you can make your own using old pillow cases or carrier bags filled with sand or earth.
• If possible, and if it’s safe to do so, ensure that surface water drains are kept clear to allow water to drain away quicker.
• Make a flood kit – a torch, a battery or wind-up radio, necessary medication, emergency contact numbers, rubber gloves, and your insurance policies – and keep in a safe place, ideally upstairs.
• Make sure you know how to turn off your gas, electricity and water supplies.
• Check with your insurance company that your policy provides adequate cover for a flood – don’t underestimate how much damage can be done.

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