Flood warnings lifted but rainfall forecast may cause further disruption
Flooding at Iford Bridge Home Park in Bournemouth after Storm Chandra. Author: Lizzie CouttsPublished 2 hours ago
Residents of several flood-affected sites across Bournemouth can now return home after Storm Chandra caused widespread disruption earlier this week.
Flood warnings have been lifted for Beaulieu Garden Park Home Site, Iford Bridge Home Park, and Redhill and Wheatplot Home Sites and residents have been advised they can safely return to their properties.
Power has been reinstated at Iford Bridge Home Park.
Efforts to support flood-hit areas
Storm Chandra brought intense rainfall and swift rises in river and groundwater levels on top of already saturated land.
BCP Council say in several areas, river levels met or exceeded their highest records.
Council teams responded by providing support to affected communities.
At Iford Bridge Home Park, this included transporting people away from flooded homes, setting up a rest and reception centre nearby, and providing overnight security due to the number of empty properties.
On Wednesday night, highways teams dealt with 153 reports of flooding on the local road network, working through the night.
Weather risks remain
Although river levels have now fallen, the ground remains very wet across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, as well as in neighbouring areas of Dorset, West Hampshire and Wiltshire.
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for rain in the area from midday on Monday (February 2), bringing fears of further flooding and disruption.
Councillor Andy Hadley, BCP Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Response, Environment and Energy urged residents to take care over the weekend, particularly when travelling or walking near large bodies of water or cliff edges.
“Local bus and train services may be affected; residents should check directly with the service provider for status updates, and it’s worth parents allowing additional time for journeys to school on Monday, as travel disruption is possible,” Andy Hadley said.
People concerned about the risk of flooding have been advised to take preventative measures, with guidance available from the National Flood Forum website.