Warnings and disruption as flooding hits the south of England

Parts of the south are experiencing flooding and disruption as warnings and advice are issued to those affected.

The Environment Agency (EA) has issued multiple flood warnings for Hampshire and Dorset, along with 21 flood alerts for Oxfordshire and 15 for Berkshire.

Local fire and rescue services have issued advice to travellers, including not to drive through flood water.

Several venues are cancelling events due to the rain and wind or appealing for help as the water levels rise.

The Met Office issued a rain warning for the South East of the country, predicting disruption for travel and possibility of flooding.

It said the rain would also be accompanied with strong winds.

The service currently has Yellow warnings for rain for Hampshire, Berkshire, Dorset and Oxfordshire.

In a Facebook post, Oxfordshire County Council said it had already received seven flood alerts.

“Heavy rain has now arrived in Oxfordshire and will last through remaining daylight hours,” the post reads.

It adds that it is likely river levels “will rise further today and in coming days”.

Dorset Council also posted on social medial, citing five EA flood alerts for some river areas in the county.

Those are:

• Upper River Frome at Maiden Newton,
• River Yeo from Sherborne to Yeovil,
• River Wiggle at Chetnole,
• River Brit at Newtown and Southgate Old Mill, Beaminster
• Lower River Frome at East Stoke to Wareham.

“Check your route before setting off, allow plenty of extra time for your journey and never attempt to drive through flood-water or closed roads,” the authority warned.

The Borough Gardens in Dorchester announced that it had cancelled its Christmas carols event “due to bad weather”.

“Unfortunately, we’ve made the decision to cancel Carols in the Gardens due to the rain and wind,” it said.

“We’re very disappointed but promise we’ll be back next year.”

Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens in Weymouth said the venue was closed “due to high winds”, with only the cafe and Christmas shop operating.

But it later announced its Illuminate event was going ahead this evening.

“Please be aware there is a large amount of water on the roads and on the approach to the Gardens,” its most recent post reads.

At about 12.30 GMT, resident Alina Jenkins recorded a video of a flooded Tollbar Way in Southampton.

Cars are seen struggling through the deep water as the rain continues to pour.

St Francis Animal Welfare is in Fair Oak near Eastley has shared a video and images of flooding at its shelter.

“We urgently need sandbags or anything that can help divert or absorb water before it goes into the buildings and puts our animals at risk,” the appeal reads.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service advises residents to follow the EA and local authorities for updates.